Stock Up on Great Thanksgiving Wines from Wine.com

Wine.com has compiled the perfect list of wines appropriate for every course of your Thanksgiving feast. For toasting and hors d'oeuvres there is a delicious selection of bubbly to start off the celebration. A list of brightly flavored whites pair ideally with Turkey Day starters. For the main course, choose fruity red wines with lower tannin levels such as Zinfandel and Pinot Noir -- they'll match better with the plethora of flavors that Thanksgiving dinner brings. For an impressive finish, dessert wine is an excellent complement for an array of sweets. And remember to avoid the cardinal sin -- running out of wine at the dinner table! Click on the banner above to shop for your Thanksgiving wines, or visit Wine.com for more information.

 

Nobilis Vinho Verde NV

Nobilis Vinho Verde NV
Origin: Portugal
Blend: Unknown
Alcohol Content: 9.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: October 2009
Purchase Price: $6.99

Our review: Straw in color with a bright aroma of green apples, this slightly sparkling wine's mineral character tends to dominate the fruit flavors on the palate. It's a bit tart on the finish and slightly unbalanced.

Our rating: In contrast to many vinho verdes, this one doesn't quite work as a sipping wine or aperitif, but rather is better consumed with food. Try it with brunch, or a spring mix of salad greens. We rate it on the low side of Average.

Note: Vinho Verdes (literally Green Wines) should be purchased as young as possible. Our bottle was stamped 2009.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: Sogrape Vinhos.

J. Lohr Bay Mist White Riesling 2007

J. Lohr Bay Mist White Riesling 2007
Origin: Monterey County, California
Blend: White Riesling (100%)
Alcohol Content: 11.5%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: September 2009
Purchase Price: $8.99

Our review: Light gold in color with aromas of tree fruit (peaches) tropical fruit (kiwi) with notes of apple blossom and a touch of spice. Initially a bit crisp on the palate with nicely balanced fruit flavors, a slight sweetness slowly develops into the finish, which itself is very fruity and pleasing.

Our rating: A long time ago, this was one of our favorite wines, but it went through several years of poor quality and we stopped buying it. We picked up a bottle to try again and are pleased to report that it seems to have regained some of its former glory. This is a fine riesling, not overly sweet, and with a lot of interesting elements. We rate it near the top of the Above Average range.

Note: The product specification sheet states the alcohol content is 12.9%, yet the bottle label states it is 11.5%.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "A pale brassy yellow color with enticing fruit aromas of pear, lychee, ruby grapefruit, honeydew melon and apricot. The 1.98% residual sugar is balanced by the crisp grape acidity and natural spritz from a long cool fermentation, making it an enticingly fruity, refreshing wine capable of complementing the vibrant flavors of Thai curried chicken, Indian Mughlai Biryani chicken, or as an aperitif."

Winery website: J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines.

Coyote Creek Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Coyote Creek Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Origin: California
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: October 2009
Purchase Price: $6.99

Our review: Pale straw with aromas of gooseberry, herbs, and lemongrass, this wine is quite tart on the palate, the fruit flavors dominated by a mineral character. The tartness dissipates somewhat in the mineral finish.

Our rating: This is a somewhat unpleasant wine, and definitely one that needs to be consumed with food. We served our bottle with a chicken dish, but it might be slightly better with fish. Still, we don't recommend it, and rate it Below Average. We rated the previous years vintage, Coyote Creek Sauvignon Blanc 2007, similarly, on the low side of Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: None. Though an image is provided on the winery website, no information about the wine can be found.

Winery website: Adler Fels Winery.

La Playa Sauvignon Blanc 2009

La Playa Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Origin: Colchagua Valley, Chile
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: October 2009
Purchase Price: $7.99

Our review: Light gold with an aroma of gooseberry and lemongrass, this wine is crisp, even tart, on the palate though without much fruit flavor. The finish is pleasant, but brief.

Our rating: This wine favors the somewhat harsher New Zealand style of this varietal, one that works well with seafood dishes. Unfortunately, it seems to lack depth and complexity. We enjoyed it, and would probably recommend it based on its price, but it isn't memorable. About Average overall. Interestingly, we rated a previous vintage, the La Playa Sauvignon Blanc 2007, nearly Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "A consistent favorite with the critics, this pale yellow-green wine has a bright and floral nose, with aromas of blossoms, lime and honeydew. On the palate, it is fresh, well-structured and shows a lively acidity, with crisp lemon-lime zest, citrus candies and a note of fresh grass."

Winery website: Viña La Playa Winery.

Pavao Vinho Verde NV

Pavao Vinho Verde NV
Origin: Portugal
Blend: Unknown
Alcohol Content: 11.0%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: September 2009
Purchase Price: $6.99

Our review: Light gold in color with a very brief appearance of tiny bubbles, this wine is very fragrant, with aromas of tree fruit and blossoms. The initial sensation on the palate is one of harmony, but then it diverges into what can only be described as a sweet tartness. The finish is surprisingly lengthy, though maybe a little heavy on the minerals.

Our rating: This vinho verde (literally "green wine" due to its young age) may be best suited as an aperitif; it doesn't hold up well when paired with food. We did serve ours at brunch, but enjoyed it more on its own. Just for fun, we did a 50:50 mix with fresh orange juice to finish up the bottle (creating a mimosa), and found it quite refreshing. The juice helps soften some of the rough edges of the wine. Not one of the better vinho verdes we've tasted, it scores on the low side of Average. (Note: always purchase the youngest vinho verde you can find; our bottle was dated 2009.)

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Ch. Los Boldos Momentos Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Ch. Los Boldos Momentos Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Origin: Rapel Valley, Chile
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: September 2009
Purchase Price: $8.99

Our review: Straw in color, this wine has gooseberry, citrus, and herb aromas with notes of honey. Light-bodied and crisp on the palate, the fruit flavors have the merest hint of sweetness and are accompanied by a brisk minerality. The finish is quite nice, lengthy, with a touch of spice.

Our rating: We're fans of Chilean sauvignon blancs, and this is a fine example. Very versatile, you can confidently pair this wine with a wide variety of foods and cuisines; we served our bottle with stir-fried chicken and vegetables. We rate this moderately priced wine well Above Average.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: Vina Los Boldos. No mention of this wine could be found on the winery's website.