I love this time of year when there is a chill in the air, as well as the scent of pumpkin, balsam fir and fall cooking. Also, it’s the time of year that we prepare wine and food pairings for Thanksgiving.
There are classic Thanksgiving dishes – roasted turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and Brussel sprouts with bacon. There is also a plethora of other dishes, too. Therefore, finding the best wines can be a daunting task. Here’s a selection of wines from France that pair best with the dishes often found on the table.
White wine
Chateau L’Orangerie Bordeaux Blanc. White wines with vibrant acidity and full-flavored fruit marry well with the Thanksgiving classic dishes. This white is a blend of two grapes – sauvignon blanc and semillon. The sauvignon blanc contributes acidity while the semillon adds roundness and tropical fruit notes. Off-dry, it gives us tropical and citrus fruit notes. It melds well with the turkey and gravy, green bean casserole and Brussels sprouts with or without bacon. Less than $15.
Fournier Menetou Salon. From the Menetou Salon area in northern France, this wine is 100% sauvignon blanc. Grown on clay and limestone soil, it has a definitive chalkiness. Stainless steel fermented, it radiates with notes of Granny Smith apple, anjou pear and lime. It is quite vibrant with a prominent acidity that makes it a great partner with other high-acid and richer foods. Pairs great with stuffing with apples and sausage. Less than $35.
Rosé Wine
Domaine Houchart Rosé, Côtes de Provence. Made from grenache, cinsault, syrah and mourvèdre, some of the common grapes from southern France, this rosé bursts with notes of raspberries, strawberries and bing cherries. Like the Fournier Menetou Salon, the grapes are also grown on limestone and clay soils that give the wine its acidity and mouthfeel. Rosés are right in the middle between whites and reds and are sometimes the best choice for matching with food because they are versatile. The more fruit-forward styles, such as the Houchart rosé, will work best. It will pair with any cuisine on the table, including beef. Less than $20.
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A TASTE OF FRANCE: Looking for something to pair with your Thanksgiving dishes? Try one of these French wines.
COURTESY JESSICA NORRIS GRANATIERO[/caption]
Red Wine
Domaine Houchart Rouge Côtes de Provence: Another wine from the famed Domaine Houchart producer is its red blend, made from cabernet sauvignon, carignan, grenache and syrah. This is a fuller-style blend with dark berry notes, soft tannins and prominent yet balanced acidity. It ages for 10-12 months, which helps add to its structure and complexity. Its body and tannins make it a great partner for deeper, rich dishes, including lamb or filet mignon. When pairing wine with food, the sauces and side dishes are just as important as pairing wine with the main protein such as turkey, lamb or filet. Less than $20.
Domaine du Vieux Lazaret Châteauneuf-du-Pape: The region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, also the name of the wine, sits in southern France. This red is a rich blend from a plethora of grapes – grenache, syrah, mourvèdre, cinsault, carignan, counoise, terret noir, picpoul, muscardin, picardan, bourboulenc, clairette and roussanne. It is matured and aged for 18 months in stainless steel vats and small oak barrels. These actions contribute tannins, body and hints of vanilla bean into the wine. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a classic wine for pairing with many dishes. It brings forth deeper, dark fruit flavors backed by chalky tannins. It is best to decant for an hour before drinking, so its tannins soften. This is a real treat for a higher-end selection. Less than $50.
Jessica Norris Granatiero is the founder of The Savory Grape, a wine, beer and spirits shop in East Greenwich. She can be reached through her website, www.jessicagranatiero.com or by email at jessica@thesavorygrape.com.
