Finding the perfect date can be tough at times. But it’s a little easier to find a wine date for your Thanksgiving feast. There are all those “wine rules” you have to follow… right?

Forget about those stuffy rules and just drink what you like. Although one thing you should probably do is serve both red and white wines so your guests have a choice. You might even consider serving a sparkling wine if you’re feeling extra festive.

If you still need a little direction, never fear. I have consulted some folks in the wine industry to help guide us. With their help I’ve compiled a list at different price points, to fit almost anyone’s budget. The categories are $10-$20, $20-30, $30-40 and $40-$60.

I know some of you aren’t Americans and don’t celebrate Thanksgiving. But hey, if you can afford a tasty bottle of wine, then you have something to be thankful for. So consider cooking a turkey and inviting a bunch of friends and family over and share in the American holiday.

In fact, one transplanted Australian helped me compile this Thanksgiving wine list. Erik Loigom (the Australian) and Cricket Bowers own WineStyles in Folsom, California. Folsom is just minutes from the El Dorado and Amador wine growing regions.

Erik and Cricket’s love of wine is one of the things that brought them together. The pair met online. Cricket visited Erik in Melbourne a couple of times and they traveled to the Australia wine regions of Hunter Valley and Yarra Valley.

Erik must’ve been smitten, because he pulled up stakes and moved to California. The pair decided they wanted to go into business together doing something fun. That’s why they opened the WineStyles franchise.

Here are their picks in the $30 to $40 range.

Willamette Valley Vineyards 2006 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley (Oregon) $33.99
Soft and mellow red, black cherries and vanilla, won’t overwhelm your turkey.

Truchard 2006 Chardonnay, Carneros, Napa Valley (California) $36.99
Tropical fruit and citrus, hint of creaminess and toasted oak.

Majella 2005 Sparkling Shiraz, Coonawarra (Australia) $34.99
Cranberry color, chocolaty berry nose, hints of fruit, refreshing, serve chilled.

Of course this true Australian chose a sparkling Shiraz.

Right now, the Australians have the market cornered on sparkling Shiraz. I’m not aware of anyone else adding bubbles to this varietal. Even though this is a red wine, you should serve it chilled.

WineStyles is located at 915 Sutter Street in Folsom, California. For more information call 916-357-5500 or visit them on the web at www.winestyles.net/folsom.

After my jaunt in Folsom, I headed over to Roseville, California to the large Total Wine & More store. Wine Associate, Dan Katrenak helped me choose wines in the $10 to $20 price range.

Alterra 2005 Grand Reserve Pinot Noir, Carneros (California) $12.99
Aromas of Asian spice. Cherry and blackberry with a hint of vanilla.

Apex 2007 Chardonnay, Yakima Valley (Washington) $12.99
Pineapple, peach and lemon nose. Dry, crisp with hints of creamy toasty oak.

Louis Bouillot Blanc de Noirs Cuvee, Burgundy (France) $13.99
Dry sparkling wine with hints of red berry and cherry. Contains both Chard and Pinot Noir grapes.

**Note for wine newbies: “Cuvee” means the grapes used in the wine are from different vintages (years).

Here are Dan’s picks for the $40 to $60 category.

Belle Vallee Cellars 2005 Grand Cuvee Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley (Oregon) $46.99
Dark fruit with more structure on the finish.

Rudd 2005 Chardonnay, Russian River (California) $52.99
Toasty oak with a little velvet creaminess.

 Paul Goerg “Lady” Premier Cru, Champagne (France) $57.99
Traditional style Champagne with hints of toasty almond.

**Note for wine newbies: Champagne is only from the Champagne region of France. Bubbly from anywhere else is called “sparkling wine."

Total Wine & More is located at 5791 Five Star Drive in Roseville, California. For more information call 916-791-2488 or visit them online at www.totalwine.com.

If you’re looking for a wine somewhere in the middle, say in the $20 to $30 price range, you may want to try a couple of selections from Ramos Torres winemaker, Oscar Ramos.

Ramos Torres 2006 Zinfandel, Lodi (California) $23
Lovely fruit forward wine, more like a Cru Beaujolais than the monster Zins California is known for.

Ramos Torres 2007 Ventana Vineyard Chenin Blanc Arroyo Seco (California) $20
Bright fruity aromas with a clean, creamy finish.

Ramos Torres doesn’t offer a sparkling wine. For more about Ramos Torres and its twenty-something owner and winemaker, Oscar Ramos, click here.

Another wine that is great wine for Thanksgiving is the Beaujolais nouveau. The wine comes from the Beaujolais region of France and is made from the Gamay grape. This wine is purple-pink in color and is very light, with very little tannin. Beaujolais nouveau usually hits stores about a week before Thanksgiving. Beaujolais nouveau wines are usually quite reasonably priced and are easy drinking wines for Thanksgiving. Beaujolais nouveau is also a good starter wine to introduce white wine lovers into the land of red. You should serve it slightly chilled.

So don’t sweat the Thanksgiving wine. You’ve got that covered. Now it’s time to worry about the menu. For a great recipe for “Trash Can Turkey” (yes, you read that right) click here.  Happy Thanksgiving!

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written by DavisLeanna34, July 10, 2011

Don't you understand that this is correct time to receive the home loans, which would make you dreams real.

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