Most of us will not be doing Thanksgiving in person this year and have some mapping out to do. Do we Zoom with Gram and Gramps at lunch, or after dinner? Has anyone taught Gram and Gramps how to Zoom? Are we coordinating backgrounds? Do we all Zoom together while eating? Do we really want to watch each other eat? Are you excited that there’s finally a mute button for Uncle Larry? Is there still a no-politics rule this year? Are we ordering food, or cooking? Are we searching the internet for Thanksgiving for two, while still making it interesting? Are we coordinating a meal, or is everyone on their own, as long as they log on by sunset? It’s a lot.
And when it comes to wine — oh boy. If you are not down with ecommerce or wish you would have ordered wine earlier for it to arrive on time, you’ll have to don a mask and navigate a wine shop or supermarket. And once you’re there, hands sanitized, do you want to think? I don’t think so. Even for the most enthusiastic wine lovers, wine is often the last thing to grab for the Turkey Day table.
Well, I hope this will help. Go ahead and bookmark this roundup of wines on your mobile browser (VinePair looks great on a smartphone), because below are six wines that are great for Thanksgiving, but more importantly, they’re widely available. This will make it a lot easier, so you won’t have to shout muffled-mask questions to overworked staff members. It’s a win-win for all involved. And if it turns out that Gram and Gramps can’t remember their Zoom password, at least you don’t have to think about the wine.
Chateau Ste. Michelle & Dr. Loosen Eroica Riesling 2019
Tart and refreshing with a kiss of sweetness, this wine has bright acidity and dances on your palate. And at a sub-$20 price range, it will impress your friends or family without breaking the bank.
VinePair Rating: 88
Stonestreet Estate Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2019
This wine is lean with a slight grip and smells like honey, sea salt, and white flowers. It’s a nice starter to the meal and can hold up to the grilled veggies.
VinePair Rating: 91
Ramey Chardonnay 2017
Classic and buttery, rich and balanced, this wine has great acidity and structure. It has the depth to go well with white meat, and the brightness to match any sauce on the Thanksgiving table.
VinePair Rating: 91
Gundlach-Bundschu Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Rich and bold with great structure, this Cab smells like blackberries, with a savory waft of balsamic and white pepper. It has a nice, dark core, but awesome balance that will be an ideal match for dark meat with lots of gravy.
VinePair Rating: 92
Balletto Pinot Noir 2018
Soft and chewy (like, you’ll actually want to chew it), with great lift on the palate, this wine smells like cherries and freshly turned earth. This Pinot is the great equalizer. It is light enough for all the subtle flavors, but has a nice fruit depth to harmonize with proteins on offer. It can even be chilled slightly.
VinePair Rating: 89
L’Ecole No. 41 Merlot 2017
Soft and grippy, this Merlot smells like blueberries and autumn leaves, with a nice weight on the palate. It’s also a crowd-pleaser, making it an ideal bottle to bring to Thanksgiving dinner with the family.
VinePair Rating: 88
