Ten Top American Red Wines To Pair With Your Turkey

When it comes to Thanksgiving, consider going all-American when choosing the wines. From the spicy pinot noirs, to the fuller bodied cabernets and merlots, American red wines from California, Oregon and Washington State have never tasted better. I vote we give thanks to our nation’s vintners and make their wines part of our own Thanksgiving celebrations this year.  

This year’s Wine Spectator Top 100 List (just released on Monday), the Wine Enthusiast and intowine.com, an online wine-buying guide, are great places to get started.  Below, I've compiled a list from their recommendations.  You can follow the hyperlinks for more.

Pinot Noir

While California is home to many top pinot noir producers, Oregon is now becoming one of the premier pinot-producing regions in the world. In fact, the Willamette Valley appellation is consistently rated among the world’s best. Pinot noirs are known for their earthy blackberry taste with just a hint of spice, with some critics describing the Willamette Valley varietals as more cranberry than fruity. In either case, pinot noirs pair well with poultry and are a little softer on the palate than the fuller-bodied cabernets or merlots.

These Pinots are on this year’s Wine Spectator Top 100 List:

Emeritus Hallberg Ranch Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley 2011
Roar Wines Pinot Noir Rosella’s Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands 2012
King Estate “Acrobat” Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Vineyards 2012
Pali Wine Co. “Huntington” Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County 2012

Cabernet Sauvignon

One of the world’s most recognized red wine grape varieties, cabernet sauvignon tends to be full-bodied and tannic. The taste is often described as blackcurrant or black cherry, becoming more pronounced as the wine ages. In California, cabernets have developed their own characteristic style and reputation depending on whether they are produced by hillside/mountain vineyards or on the flatter terrain of valley floors. Vintners generally favor the use of new oak barrels to create a greater oaky taste.

These three cabernets are among the top 50 California cabernet sauvignons recommended by the wine experts at intowine.com:

Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Dunn Vineyard Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Merlot

Merlot is grown across the United States, but California and Washington are the biggest producers. Merlot is the most widely planted grape after cabernet sauvignon. Known for its ripe blackberry flavor, some varieties also incorporate tastes of plum, tealeaf and black cherry. The 1980’s help put Washington, in particular the Columbia Valley, on the map as one of the world’s best merlot producers. Washington wines are often cited for their deep color and acidity.

 

Consider one of these three wines recommended by the WineEnthusiast:

Mt. Brave Mount Veeder Merlot 2010

Leonetti Cellar Columbia Valley Merlot 2006

Woodward Canyon Columbia Valley Merlot 2007 

·    

Whatever your choice, these wines are guaranteed to please.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted by Carole Funger

#wine #Thanksgivingwine #redwine #americanredwine