Thanksgiving Wine

[Randy Caparoso]

Now that we've thrown a dizzying array at poor joz, please allow me to attempt to sort things out by food preparation, based upon my own vast experience:

Turkey with buttery bread/sage stuffing: Chardonnay (especially if turkey is roasted in smoker -- woodsmoke and sage connect with smoky oak and sage-like fruit of Chardonnay)

Turkey with sausage stuffing (especially with fennel, paprika and other spices in pork sausage): Gewurztraminer (dry or off-dry) or German Riesling (the crisply acidic quality of Riesling cuts through fatty pork, and Gewurztraminer's lychee-like fruitiness mingles nicely with mild sausage spices)

Turkey with mixed mushroom stuffing: Chardonnay again, or Pinot Noir (both varietals like earthy flavors)

Turkey stuffed with raisined fruits (or chopped apples), nuts and bread: Beaujolais, soft Pinot Noir, or dry or slightly sweet rose (fruity on fruity flavors)

Turkey with fresh fruit (plums, stone fruits in general, etc.) stuffing: Juicy, jammy red Zinfandel, watermelony, off-dry White Zinfandel, or Grand Cru Beaujolais (especially those with the broad, lush, floral, black and red fruit flavors like those of Chiroubles, Regnie, Fleurie, and Saint Amour).

Turkey with Chinese seasoned stuffing (star anise, ginger, lup cheong sausages, etc.): Riesling (acidic fruit cuts through fat and amplifies seasonings), tropical fruit style Chardonnay (especially Western Australian), or sandalwoody/pepper/clove-like spiced, softer styles of Syrah (like Qupe "Central Coast" or Fess Parker from California, Carchelo from Spain, or St. Joseph from France)

Turkey with oyster/bread crumb stuffing (or "Rockefellered" with spinach, cream and/or bacon): Lighter, crisper styles of Chardonnay (like those of Santa Barbara or Oregon, and Macon or Chablis from France -- but not fatter styles from Southeast Australia, Sonoma or Napa Valley)

Cajun style deep fried turkey: German Riesling, or Pinot Gris from Germany or Oregon (need crisply acidic edges to cut through all that oil)

Does this make more sense?


[This message has been edited by Randy Caparoso (edited 10-27-99).]