Suggestions wanted for inexpensive Turkey Day wines

[Robert Reynolds]

We are feeding about 10 or 11 folks for Thankskgiving dinner, with mostly traditional fare being served. I would like to offer a red and a white, preferably American to fit in the theme. The two who will probably consume the most (myself excluded) tend to keep box wine in their fridges, but I have sworn off having that anymore.

I'm thinking maybe a Zin for the red, but not sure about the white. I am open for suggestions, need to keep it inexpensive though, maybe $12-$15 max.

[Mike Jacobs]

Hello-
The November issue of Bon Appetite has an interesting article on Zinfandel for Thanksgiving, along with suggestions.
I like Rosenblum Zins, one that I know is a nice value is their vintners cuvee which fits in your price range.
Cheers,
Mike-

[John Treder]

I expect a Rodney Strong Chardonnay would be available for close to your price range for the white. Not bad. You might be able to find Michael Pozzan Chard also - I paid $6.99 on sale at BevMo in September.

Dry Creek Vineyard "Heritage Clone" Zin is reasonably priced and not bad.

[Bob Parsons Alberta]

John, how about that Four Vines Chardonnay,,,and the Zin!!!

[Mark Lipton]

Eric Asimov of the NY Times addresses that very question in his latest article, though you will need a free registration or a visit to http://www.bugmenot.com to read it.

Mark Lipton

[Rahsaan]

German riesling QbAs from the better producers (whatever is available in your area) seem like a good match with all that typical Thanksgiving food.

Forget the theme

[Mike Filigenzi]

Might try the Dry Creek Chenin Blanc. Pretty nice wine, should go well with the food, and I think it runs around $14.

[Carl Eppig]

I like Rosenblum Zins, one that I know is a nice value is their vintners cuvee

Agree with Rosenblum vinters cuvee; that is what we will proabably go with.

For a white I think you might go "foreign" and seek a Cotes du Rhone Blanc.

We have a daughter who only drinks White Zin. We don't bitch because she is the only one four who drink any wine! So, we get her a Buehler Napa Valley White Zinfandel.

[RichardAtkinson]

2005 Cru Beaujolais is still a good buy in that price range plus its a great 'match for any TGiving dinner items.

Richard

[Doug Surplus]

German riesling QbAs from the better producers (whatever is available in your area) seem like a good match with all that typical Thanksgiving food.

Forget the theme

Plus one on the Riesling. Inexpensive, tasty and works well with typical thanksgiving day fare.

[Jenise]

Robert, I agree with you that on this one day, serving American wines is the best possible choice. Which makes zinfandel a great choice for your red in more ways than one--in addition to having a uniquely American identity, the fact that it's so fruity it has a reasonable chance of going pretty well with everything on your plate including the cranberry sauce and the candied yams. For the same reason I'd probably choose an equally fruity and forward chardonnay. Of wines you'd have a good chance of finding almost anywhere and that are available in the price range you specify, in spite of the fact that I'm no fan of Gallo the company, I have to recommend Gallo of Sonoma for your chardonnay choice.

[Howie Hart]

Might try the Dry Creek Chenin Blanc. Pretty nice wine, should go well with the food, and I think it runs around $14.

There is a good selection of Vouvrays (Chenin Blanc) for that price or less.

[Robert Reynolds]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I will be shopping tomorrow.

[John Treder]

Typically $9.99 at BevMo here. I always have a couple of bottles handy

[Robert Reynolds]

Just returned from the wine shop with:
Gruet NV Blanc de Noirs bubbly to start the feasting with ($14.99);
EOS 2004 Zin (on the recommendation of the wine store guy, I decided to splurge a little - $13.99);
Rodney Strong 2005 Chard ($10.99);
plus a Sandeman Ruby Port, Georges Deboeuf 2007 Beaujolais Nouveau (which I'm having a glass of as I type), and a couple of others to make a mixed case. All at 10% discount for buying 6 bottles or more.

[Carl Eppig]

The EOS Zin is a nice drink, but maybe a little much for T-giving. Just don't ask Jenise what she thinks about Paso Zins.

[Bob Henrick]

Robert, I would agree with you about the zin for red, and I would recommend a chardonnay that is not too acidic, Maybe one from the Central Coast as it will most likely have tropical fruit flavors instead of apples and other stronger acid flavors.

[Bob Henrick]

Might try the Dry Creek Chenin Blanc. Pretty nice wine, should go well with the food, and I think it runs around $14.

There is a good selection of Vouvrays (Chenin Blanc) for that price or less.

Howie, I get the Dry Creek chenin for $8.99 here, and drink at least a case of it each summer. It is as good as any cb made in the USA IMO

[John Treder]

That looks like you'll have a good time next Thursday (if the wine lasts that long).

[Robert Reynolds]

Oh, I've got more to drink if need be!