Sara’s Sommelier Selections – Oct 12, 2013

Thanksgiving Picks

Sara d’Amato

Festive meals are the perfect occasion to show off your prowess at choosing the most delectable wines to match your celebratory table. A perfectly executed meal will be enhanced by a well-chosen bottle; and if dry turkey syndrome strikes your dinner table, you can distract with a terrific bottle of wine. In fact, Sommeliers have quite a few tricks up their sleeves in case of kitchen failures, most of which I cannot share with you today on pain of excommunication. But I can at least give you a few picks that could easily be the centre of attention should you need them to be, and that will be excellent companions to a Thanksgiving spread.

Cygnus 1+1=3 Organic Brut Nature Cava
Penedès, Spain, $19.95

Sparkling wine is a no-brainer when family assembles for Thanksgiving. Here is a sophisticated, traditional-method selection that won’t break the bank. To boot, this wine is organic, vegan and works well with both turkey and tofu.

Domaine Lafage Cuvée Centenaire 2011
Côtes Du Roussillon, France, $17.95

A wine that oozes class made from 100-year-old vines of grenache blanc, gris and roussanne. Originating from close the Spanish border, in a climate influenced by the Pyrenees, the 2011 vintage was particularly favorable for whites and has produced a wine of profound complexity and great presence.

Wynns Coonawarra Estate Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
South Australia, $27.95

Cabernet sauvignon from the red soils of the Coonawara in southern Australia is so delightfully distinctive and unique that it can’t help but wow, especially hailing from one of the region’s top producers. Although this wine will certainly satisfy those looking for a hearty red, it is more elegant than bold with a riveting progression of flavours.

Château De Saint Lager Brouilly 2011
Beaujolais, France, $19.95

For those of you that won’t give up red in the face of a mild flavoured bird, here’s a terrific compromise made from the gamay grape – light in body but not in flavour. I love wines from the largest region of Beaujolais, Brouilly, not simply for their versatility but for their terrific value and often, surprising complexity.

Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha 2010
Campo De Borja, Spain, $19.95

Grenache is another one of those varietals that has a delicacy and gentle tannins that can pair well with a holiday, bird-influenced dinner. Juicy, flavour-packed but not overwhelming, here is a red with exceptional poultry compatibility.

Best wishes this weekend!

Sara d’Amato

From the Oct 12, 2013 Vintages release:

Sara’s Sommelier Selections
All Reviews

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