What is your Thanksgiving wine strategy?
We agree with NY Times columnist Eric Asimov, who advises buying a variety of wines that are not too expensive or pretentious and that go with a lot of different foods and a lot of different palates. We also agree not to worry too much about pairing and to try for something fresh and zippy and not too tannic. Unfortunately, in his article Asimov goes on to do what he always does, get a team of wine snobs to recommend a bunch of obscure wines that most people will have never heard of and will be difficult or impossible to find.
Here's a few of our suggestions. If you want an easy red and white pick the Riesling and Beaujolais now on special offer from Moore Brothers look very good, but they will sell out quickly. There are also a number of worthy PLCB candidates in good supply.
Sparkling
Ca' Furlan Prosecco
PLCB Code: 12860
Price: $8.99
Philly Wine Finder
PAWineTalk
Available at JFK, Society Hill, Ardmore.
Domaine Ehrhart Cremant d'Alsace Cuvee Prestige NV
PLCB Code: 30929
Size: 750ML
Price: $14.99
PAWineTalk
Recommended by Craig Laban
Widely available in Center City and the Main Line
Whites
Gazela Vinho Verde
PLCB Code 9677
Price: $6.49 SALE
Philly Wine Finder
Sprinkled around but the controversial store at Garces Trading Company has 43 bottles.
Helfrich Gewurztraminer Steinklotz Alsace Grand Cru 2007
PLCB Code: 13590
Price: $12.99
Available at 1913 Chestnut, JFK, 1218 Chestnut, Society Hill, Bala, Narberth, Ardmore
PAWineTalk
Bacharacher Posten Spätlese Halbtrocken Weingut Ratzenberger 2002
$23
Moore Brothers Special Offer
Reds
Christian Moueix Merlot Encore Bordeaux 2005
PLCB Code: 12869
Size: 750ML
Price: $5.99
Philly Wine Finder
Available at 24th and South.
Beaujolais-Villages Tracot Domaine Jean-Paul Dubost 2009
$14
Moore Brothers Special Offer
2007 Domaine Le Roc Des Anges Côtes du Roussillon Villages Segna de Cor
2007 no longer available. The 2008 is available for $25.
Moore Brothers
Henry Fessy Regnie 2007
PLCB Code: 18368
Size: 750ML
Price: $9.99
This was available back in June but unfortunately it's pretty much all gone now.
Santa Duc Cotes du Rhone Villages Rasteau Les Blovac 2007
PLCB Code: 12895
Price: $14.99
PAWineTalk
Available 1913 Chestnut and Ardmore.
Beer
Yards General Washington's Tavern Porter
Dessert Wine
Chateau de Canterrane Rivesaltes 1976
PLCB Code: 13581
Size: 750ML
Price: $9.99
Philly Wine Finder
Still a few bottles left according to the PLCB.
Looking back over this list, perhaps a few pretentious/hard-to-find wines slipped in, just like in Asimov's list. Oh well. Here's a playful post that makes fun of the whole Thanksgiving wine finding exercise.
What do you plan to drink on Thanksgiving?
UPDATE: More recommendations available in PA from Pittsburgh Tribune Review wine critic Dave DeSimone.
