Thanksgiving Wine

[Randy Caparoso]

Geez, Curmudgeon, now my feelings are all hurt. But not about being mistaken for being non-serious.

Your Pinot Noir suggestion is indeed a great idea. As you probably remember, I drink Pinot Noir with everything. So for between $10 and $14, I can personally recommend the fine and easy Mirassou and Napa Ridge; and for $15-$18, the Robert Mondavi "Coastal" Pinot Noir is a soft, delicate yet fragrantly spiced value.

But what Curmudgeon fails to mention, joz, is the fact that like superpremium Merlots and Chardonnays, the top rate Pinot Noirs actually start at about $25, and easily climb into the $30, $40, $50 plus range. I simply made the mistake of assuming that you were thinking "big" -- especially since you said that your friends are really "into" wine (insinuating that you needed to impress them).

Which is to also say that perfectly delicious Merlot and Chardonnay can certainly be found for below $20. Among California grown Chardonnays, for instance, the Fetzer "Reserve" ($13-$15), Gallo "Stefani" ($14-$16), Heron ($12-$14), and Eos "Astaeus" ($14-$16) are all perfectly serious, round, juicy, smoky edged styles that will go great with bread and sage stuffed turkey. At the lowest range, the Lindemans "Bin 65" ($9-$12) and Rosemount Chardonnay/Semillon ($7-$9) from Australia, as well as the Veramonte Chardonnay ($7-$9) from Chile, are all every bit as good as California bottlings going for twice the price.

Insofar as Merlot, some of my favorites are the Falesco ($10-$12) and Stella ($8-$10) from Italy, the Heron ($10-$14) and Vichon ($9-$11) from France, and the Voss ($18-$20) as well as the Monterra "Monterey Promise" ($12-$14) from California are all extraordinarily lush, smooth, and yes, turkey-friendly examples.

That will be 5 cents, please.


[This message has been edited by Randy Caparoso (edited 10-23-99).]