The consensus seems to be that Chardonnay is the ideal wine pairing for the Thanksgiving feast.
Elegantly oaked Chard -- definitely not Chateau 2x4 -- is fruit-forward enough, yet textured, to perfectly complement the complicated Thanksgiving turkey dinner.
We say complicated because the bird itself is made up of fairly neutral white breast meat as well as more flavourful dark meat on the legs and wings.
And don't get us started on all the trimmings from sweet cranberry sauce, heady gravy and buttery vegetables to herbed stuffing and creamy mashed potatoes.
As such, you'd think wine pairing would be a nightmare come Thanksgiving.
But, actually, the opposite is true.
There are enough flavours and textures going on with the meal that it can be matched with a variety of wines from aromatic whites, rose and sparkling to lightly oaked Chardonnay and even a light red.
Thus said, the only wines to stay away from at the Thanksgiving table are overly oaked Chard or a big, chewy red.
With all that in mind, here are eight wines that will fill you with gratitude, appreciation, gratefulness and gratification -- the cornerstones of Thanksgiving.
- Coolshanagh 2019 Blanc de Blanc Sparkling (sold by the case of 12 for $400) from the Naramata Bench
I always recommend sparkling wine for special occasions (or any occasion, for that matter).
Bubbly can serve double duty as the welcome drink or aperitif and then ride its way right through dinner if you're feeling the sparkling-paired-with-food vibe.
The Coolshanagh Blanc de Blanc is made of 100% Chardonnay (see the Chard tie-in there?) and has a fresh-and-complex profile of orange peel and fresh-baked bread.
- Brilla! Rose Prosecco ($21) from Italy
The Brilla! (I appreciate the way it incorporates the exclamation mark into its name) is light and delicate and dry with aromas and flavours of peach, lemon and crunchy apple.
Another amazing sparkling welcome-aperitif-and-or-dinner option.
- See Ya Later Ranch 2022 Chardonnay ($20) from Okanagan Falls
This wine has all the hallmarks of a well-made, crowd-pleasing Chard with a fresh and compelling profile of lemon, grilled pineapple, vanilla and caramel.
- Road 12 Select Harvest Viognier 2022 ($28) from Oliver
If you want to stray from Chardonnay, Viognier is a sensational option for its exotic aromas and flavours of honeysuckle, apricot and citrus.
- Mission Hill Jagged Rock 2022 Chardonnay ($52) from West Kelowna
This is high-end Chard -- bright citrus, a little floral, a lot delicious.
- Coolshanagh 2019 Chardonnay (sold by the case of 12 for $360) from the Naramata Bench
Didn't mention before that 'coolshanagh' is the Gaelic word for 'a meeting place of friends'.
Therefore, pour this wine when you have family and friends over this Thanksgiving weekend.
- Bread & Butter 2022 Chardonnay ($23) from Napa
If you want to step out of the Okanagan for your Chard, then this wine from California fits the bill with aromas and flavours of tropical fruit, vanilla and almond.
- CedarCreek 2022 Platinum East Kelowna Slopes Pinot Noir (only available at the winery's tasting room) from Kelowna
Yes, you can go red with turkey, especially when it's this Pinot, light in body, but big in dark cherry and herb aromas and flavours.
Wines of USA at Van Wine Fest
The 2025 Vancouver International Wine Festival will have a 'Wines of USA' theme
Every year the fest features the wines of a particular country with special receptions, tastings and dinners.
Fifty wineries from California, Oregon and Washington state have answered the call and will pour wines at the fest, which runs Feb. 22 through March 2 at the Vancouver Convention Centre and other venues downtown.
Although America may be the theme, the 46th annual fest will also welcome scores of other wineries from 15 countries to pour more than 1,000 wines at 44 events.
The fest announces the theme country and starts its promotion early to prime wine lovers for when tickets go on sale, which will come in waves on Nov. 13 and 20, Dec. 11 and Nan. 8, 15 and 22.
Check out: https://vanwinefest.ca/
Steve MacNaull is a NowMedia Group reporter, Okanagan wine lover and Canadian Wine Scholar. Reach him at smacnaull@nowmediagroup.ca. His wine column appears every Friday afternoon in this space.
