Best Wines for the Holidays
While some want to limit their choices to one type of wine, and others don't pay too much attention to the pairings beyond whether they like the wine or not, picking the wine to accompany a holiday meal can make or break the dinner for others. Red and whites both go with roast turkeys and either is a fine choice for Thanksgiving. Reds work better with hearty beef dishes. Forbes has come up with a few suggestions for the best wines to serve at a holiday dinner, which include: Beaune, Clos de Mouches, Premier Cru, Domaines Joseph Drouhin 2003 ($80); Guidalberto 2003 ($50); Rodney Strong Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 ($41); Hugel Gewurztraminer Jubilee 2003 ($41); Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noir ($20); and Champagne Alfred Gratien Brut Millesime 1997 ($99).
One of their other excellent suggestions is to serve the good wine first, before all the "holiday cheer" has gone to people's heads, and keep the selection simpler for larger groups.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
geno Nov 17th 2006 4:29PM
I am always a fan of Beaujolais Nouveau for Thanksgiving. They come out the week before. Are all light and fruity so they go well with turkey.
amy Nov 27th 2006 3:56PM
what about grapefruit or mango wine with turkey? we actually had lychee wine .it was wonderful!
Pamela Nov 27th 2006 3:57PM
I am not a fan of wine at all. However, while on a business trip to FLorida, i found this wonderful wine shop. it is located in Destine Florida. Instead of the typical red, white etc wines, these folks take fruit from Florida and make it into wine. The wine is absolutly wonderful! They have won many awards for thier wines too!I purchased a bottled, which was quickly consumed by freinds and I had to order more! The folks at Detine Winery are wonderful and make an awsome product. So, if your not a wine fan, or evneif you are, check these folks out! You will love them and thier wines! You can find them at Detinewinery.com
Lynn Nov 27th 2006 5:51PM
it's actually destinwinery.com
Irene Kolbisen Nov 27th 2006 7:29PM
My husband and I belong to thirteen wine clubs and have been aficinados for 40 yrs...chose California wines!!!! They are consistantly the best
David Foote Nov 27th 2006 10:51PM
No need to spend the kind of money that your recommendations cost. Try Schug Pinot Noir, $24.00, or Skecthbook Pinot Noir $18.00. Great wines at half the price. Bargetto Gewurztraminer from Santa Cruz mountains of California at $12.00 is fantastic.Vernay Sparkling wine from Cognac region of France is a super sparkling wine for $12.00 a bottel.
Linda Nov 27th 2006 6:28PM
I've searched and searched for detinewinery.com. Can't find it anywhere. Need help, I'm really interested in finding out more about the wines mentioned in the comments.
FAS1 Nov 27th 2006 5:30PM
I'm a fan of sherry!! I would like to recommend a
nice, medium dry sherry and its name is Dry Sack. It
has a nice, fresh, outdoor nutty taste to it and it
goes with everything. I enjoy it before dinner, but it
really does go good with meals. I've been enjoying
Dry Sack since 1970, but sometimes it's a little hard
to find. Try it!! It's really good!! Distributed in the U.S.A. by William Grant & Sons, Inc.
Mark Nov 27th 2006 5:38PM
Pamela, I think you may have mispelled the website address, it is : destinwinery.com
Melissa Nov 27th 2006 7:05PM
There is a winery in the Napa area that we frequent that can do no wrong with grapes!! Everything they have is AMAZING!!! Especially their Zinfandel port. They are the Rombauer Vineyards and can be reached at rombauervineyards.com. Enjoy!
Andy Nov 27th 2006 6:14PM
The 2006 Beaujolais Nouveau is a nice wine to share with family & friends during the Thanksgiving and Christmas hoilday season. Since they are light and fruity wines, most people should like them and they will go fine with a holiday turkey.
Holden Mack Nov 27th 2006 9:24PM
A great wine to try if you know a lot about good wines but love a bargain is Cameron Hughes (www.chwine.com).
It's available through Costco and online for $10 - 17 but sip like $40 bottles. The story is they buy extra wine from top wineries and sell it under their label. I have served it to wine snobs who love it. The cool thing is that you can sign up for emails so they let you know when the wines are arriving in Costco and what the latest "Lot" is. They tell you the appelation so if you like wines from certain areas, they you can pick and choose accordingly. It's fun cult wine. They give you wine notes on the website so you can learn more about their wines. It's a cool find.
Tim Richardson Nov 27th 2006 6:49PM
How about a Sauvignon Blanc with that regal bird? There's lots of nice ones from California, but splurge with something from New Zealand (don't be afraid), or if you really want the best, go to the French and get a white Bordeaux, try a Chateau Carbonnieux (around $33) it will knock your socks odd! If you have to go red, stick to a Pinot Noir, they go with just about anything..........
Devynn Nov 27th 2006 8:17PM
i'm a fan of missouri wines. our most popular ones are St James and Stone Hill. and they cost less then $10 a bottle, but they are oh so good!
Don Nov 27th 2006 7:25PM
Despite the advertised wine glut, wine still is way too expensive, particularly if consumed regularly with dinner. Purists will cringe, but Charles Shaw (two buck Chuck) wines really are pretty good. I especially like the Shiraz.
Michele Nov 27th 2006 7:51PM
My husband is a chef and we often try different wines with friends or with meals at home. We have gone the most expensive route to the most inexpensive route. A vineyard that we tried recently was Francis Copolla. All that we tried have been excellent. The red "Claret" is my fav, but I have also enjoyed the Pinot Gris as well. Give them a try. Not to expensive either - can be purchased in the $12 - $16 range.
laura Nov 28th 2006 12:19PM
Beltramos in menlo park calif is the best wine store ever ask for larry he really knows his wines
melissa Nov 27th 2006 8:00PM
I AM FROM THE NAPA VALLEY I DO HAVE TO SAY THAT CALIFORNIA WINE IS THE BEST BUT WE MUST NOT FORGET THE SPARKLING WINES. I HAVE TRIED MANY THE BLANC DE NOIR OF MUMM CUVEE NAPA VALLEY IS WONDERFUL. NOW THE BEST BRUT I EVER HAD IS GLORIA FERRER. IT HAS A WONDERFUL PLEASANT TASTE. BOTH ARE ALSO AFFORDABLE ALSO.
michelle Nov 27th 2006 9:13PM
i am from SF and have been a wine enthusiast for quite awhile. i'm also lucky to have some good friends who are sommeliers. California wines have it locked. As someone mentioned above, they are consistently the best : )
Kellie Nov 27th 2006 8:46PM
Last month I went to a wine tasting out on Long Island and feel in love with an Unwooded Chardonnay at Osprey's Dominion. It was so smooth-so good, they also have a great Merlot. Enjoy