Red and White and Drunk All Over

Saucyman, My Thanksgiving host asked me to bring a few bottles of wine to dinner. I know wine by colors and I am not even sure which color goes with turkey. Any suggestions? Beyond 3-Buck Chuck

I would have felt better if you asked me what cocktail/aperitif/digestif goes well with a formal dinner party. Or even beer, I could explain how the hoppy goodness of India Pale Ales compliment roasted meats and especially turkey. Wine though, wine is not within my area of expertise. However, Friend of Saucyman and occasional contributor, the one who cloaks his true identity behind the moniker Pinot Envy is far more knowledgeable about wine. Mr. Envy was kind enough to pass along a few suggestions for the Thanksgiving table:.

Reds

Pinot Noir from Oregon Willamette Valley
These wines range from earthy to fruity, light to extracted, juicy to austere but most are food friendly for the range of turkey preparations.

Zinfandel from California Dry Creek Valley
This valley turns out Zinfandels that features spice and fruit. Many are blended with Petite Syrah from the same valley to give them a more serious red drinker something to chew on.

Nouveau Beaujolais
Do not take this wine seriously, drink it. There are real wines from Beaujolais as well but save them for another menu. These wines are affordable and cases are stacked in every local store so there is no excuse for not adding this to the table.

Whites

Riesling from Germany, a Kabinett on the dry-sweet scale
Sugary vegetables, fruits, nuts and spices are common recipes at this meal. This wine will both compliment and contrast those flavors. The regions of France and Germany that are best at making Riesling use a lot of butter and cream in their cooking. Need I say more?

Pinot Blanc.
Every 100% Pinot Blanc I have tasted this year I would recommend. This wine won't stand up to every dish on every table. For Thanksgiving Dinner spreads that stick to a pretty safe, traditional menu, this wine easily pairs with all dishes. If you venture away from a potatoes and turkey menu, this wine should be served chilled with your apps or first courses.

One addition to Mr. Envy's recommendations, a little prosecco generally goes well with any celebration/occasion. Prosecco is a sparkling wine, like champagne except it is Italian and it isn’t quite as fancy: No corks, quite often it is sealed with a bottle top that looks quite familiar to beer drinkers. Not to be confused with the other Italian sparkling wine - Spumante, which can be syrupy sweet – Prosecco is dry, enjoyable and reasonably priced good bottles start at $12 and work up. It works on the front end of a meal with appetizers, snacks or cheese or goes quite well with dessert. Not only are you not going to go wrong by showing up at any party with prosecco, the bubbles tickle Saucyman’s nose.