Community Corner
Countdown to Thanksgiving, Day 3: Choosing the Right Wine
You can serve anything from a Riesling to a Rose with the big bird, say Michigan wine experts.
If anyone knows about wine it’s Linda Jones of the Lansing-based Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council. Come Turkey time, Jones starts contemplating her favorite pairings with a Thanksgiving feast.
Sip this with turkey
“For a Pure Michigan Thanksgiving dinner, I’d suggest with turkey a dry or semi-dry Riesling, perhaps by St. Julian, Chateau Grand Traverse, Black Star Farms, Bowers Harbor or other Michigan producers,” she said.
Michigan wines are available at a variety of different stores in the area that range from large retailers such as s or in Dexter.
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“Michigan wineries make a variety of Rieslings of varying sweetness levels," said Jones. "There's bone dry to super sweet — one to suit anyone’s sweetness preference."
Ed Hanna, beverage consultant at Busch’s markets, concurs with Jones.
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“A nice medium Riesling is sweet and dry and can work well with turkey,” he said.
Scott Collins, a manager at Cloverleaf Fine Wine in Royal Oak, is quick to tell his customers that Pinot Noirs go well with turkey.
“There’s a Castle Rock Pinot Noir Cuvee for about $10 that’s great — you get a lot of bang for your buck,” Collins said.
Another in the economical department, said Collins, is a Parducci Pinot Noir blend for about $14.
"It’s small-lot, food-friendly and people with a wide array of taste preferences seem to enjoy this," he said.
As for white wines, Collins likes the finely crafted French Vouvray Chenin Blancs.
“Chenin Blancs tend to be dry but without the heaviness that often comes with Chardonnays,” he explained. “These won’t overpower your plate.”
At our house, we’ll go for both the chenin blancs, maybe a rose and a Riesling (grandpa likes sweet).
Sip this with dessert
Later in the day with dessert, Jones suggests a late harvest Riesling or Vidal or an Ice Wine.
“For these, consider Fenn Valley, Chateau Grand Traverse, Black Star Farms, Leelanau Cellars, Sandhill Crane or others," she said.
If you’re serving anything chocolate, consider a Cabernet Sauvignon, Collins said.
"A California Shiraz would do well with chocolate, too,” he said.
For those who don't do wine
Don't forget to grab a couple liters of pop and a gallon of milk, too, — there will most likely be a "cookies-and-milk" kind of guy at your table (it's Uncle Kenny, in our family), as well, kids are grateful that now and then the "pop ban" is lifted.
Day 4: gravy recipes.
