It is the season (well, one of them at least) when turkey is gobbled, gifts are unwrapped, and a little leisure descends, gratefully accepted. Turkey, even with all the rich stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, is really a great thing to match with wine. What we really mean is, you can drink almost any good wine with turkey and it will be alright. Still, not all turkey dinner wines are created equal; crisp riesling and spicy, racy gewürztraminer are both fantastic. Red Rooster has both, and at $18, they are good value. The gewürztraminer displays some light spice and great acidity around some tropical fruits, just right as your aperitif sipper and to open the sit-down dinner with. Quails’ Gate Dry Riesling, $19, is a great option too, with vibrant citrus and apricot notes and fine acidity to make it ideal for the occasion.
Gamay noir, the grape of Beaujolais, is in its best form, a heady mix of delicate fruit, good structure, light on its feet but with enough ripe fresh berry fruits to make it a great food wine. The Sandhill version is bigger than its French counterparts, a bit more structured than any but the Grand Crus of Beaujolais. At $18, it is a wonderful red for the holiday dinner table. Be sure to have an extra bottle or two handy, even if your late night plans include only a walk and then staring at the new electric fire on television. With someone sitting close by, of course.
