“As long as we have wine, Thanksgiving will be just fine.” Clearly this unknown author is on to something. Whether you have traditional turkey and all the trimmings, a flavorful vegetarian meal or a satisfying vegan dinner, we have the holiday wines for you.
My thanks to Troy Ashbaugh, Lead Sommelier from Nicco’s Prime Cuts and Fresh Fish, at the Durango Resort in Las Vegas, for choosing our wines. He’ll be back in December to focus on holiday bubbly.
All his recommendations are available at Total Wine. Troy picked three different wine types (value, upgrade and innovative) for the appetizer/welcome and the main courses.
Appetizer/welcome course:
- Segura Viudas Brut Reserva: Cava is the answer to Champagne when it comes to value.
- Gaston Chiquet Rosé Brut Champagne: One of Troy’s favorite producers.
- Ricard Pastis Liqueur: Pastis is a French liqueur with a spicy, bitter taste, but it will activate digestion and reward the host brave enough to serve it.
Main course Red:
- Knappstein Clare Valley Shiraz: Rich, decadent, fruit-forward style that pairs beautifully with holiday dishes.
- Lopez de Heredia Tondonia Reserva: Tempranillo from Spain. Aged extensively prior to release. The 2011 vintage is currently available. Savory, rich and bright red fruit.
- Burn Cottage Pinot Noir: Elegant Pinot Noir from New Zealand’s Central Otago region (Troy’s favorite wine style right now). Celebrated producer.
Main course White:
- Quinta de Azevedo Vihno Verde: Young, refreshing white wine that almost sparkles with bright acidity. A gorgeous match for vegan stuffed mushrooms. Portuguese wine in general represents some of the greatest values in all of wine today.
- Chateau Doise Daene Bordeaux Blanc: Food-friendly style of wine that Troy regularly pairs with a large/diverse meal. This oak aged Sauvignon Blanc has a chive and sour cream character that is well suited to holiday menus. A vegetarian Beet and Squash salad pairs perfectly with this wine.
- Trimbach Riesling Selection de Vielles Vignes: A powerhouse Alsatian Riesling. The ultimate flexible dinner option.
Troy’s overall surprise pick is Le Pont Rosé from France’s underrated, but highly recommended Bandol wine region. Meaty and savory, it pairs well with classic holiday fare. Cheers!
