The ABC's of Thanksgiving Wines

With just 9 days to go, it's officially time to talk turkey! Afterall, Thanksgiving is the #1 wine-drinking day in the United States, so we need to show some appreciation for our fellow pilgrims and Indians by raising a glass (or a bottle) and giving thanks.

But, in true WinoBee fashion, we need not make our Turkey Day selections complex. In fact, when it comes to Fall holiday dining, its really as easy as ABC, according to Independent Wine Consultant, Eryn Cadoff with The Traveling Vineyard.

We had some time to chat with Eryn about all things Thanksgiving and here are some fun, friendly tips to keep in mind as you carve your turkey next week:

A = Alsace. The white wines of Alsace are fantastic choices for the flavors of Thanksgiving. Look for Alsatian Riesling, Pinot Blanc, and Cremant d'Alsace for bubbly!

"Even though we're talking about an American holiday here, savvy wine drinkers around the world know the secret the French know - the best white wine bargains in the world are the white wines of Alsace," commented Cadoff. "In fact, 2/3 of the white wine consumed in France comes from Alsace."

Check out some fantastic selections The Traveling Vineyard has to offer:

• 2005 Engel Riesling - great as an aperitif, or with the meal itself, this wine was made for Thanksgiving!
• 2005 Louis Reffelingen Pinot Blanc - this wine just begs to be paired with butternut squash soup, roasted acorn squash, or even sweet potatoes.

B = Beaujolais. This French wine region is technically a part of Burgundy, but has a character all its own. Beaujolais wines are made from 100% Gamay grapes - a fun, fresh, fruity red that is wonderful with any Thanksgiving meal, and fruit-forward enough even for white wine drinkers.

C = California. Its an American holiday, so how could we leave out American wine?! Clearly California leads the pack, accounting for a whopping 94% of US wine production. Great varietals for Thanksgiving? Try a Zinfandel on the red side, and a Chardonnay on the white.

• 2005 Blair Family Estate Zinfandel with some of the heartier sides on the Thanksgiving table - like the roasted garlic mashed potatoes or the stuffing (or is it dressing?) Depends who you ask, but the debate rages on at our family gathering every year.
• 2005 Blair Family Estate Chardonnay is always a hit - not too oaky, not overly toasty, but just right - and really great with the green bean casserole Aunt Betty brings every single year!

Want More Information? Eryn Cadoff, an Independent Wine Consultant with The Traveling Vineyard conducts in-home wine tastings in Northern Virginia and DC. When not at tastings, she's a stay-at-home-mom/taxi to her 3 and 5 year old daughters