As a counterpoint to my friend Shayne’s post, Spanish wines also make good partners for Thanksgiving dinner.  Here are a few suggestions for your upcoming holiday meal.

Start your evening with a sparkling Cava as an aperitif.  Cava is a perfect alternative to Champagne and always a good value.  Made in the traditional method, fermented and aged in the bottle, it is produced in the Penedes region near Barcelona  and can be dry (labeled as “Brut”) or off-dry (labeled as “Extra Dry”) in style.  For less than $10, you can have a delicious bubbly.  I recommend the Poema Brut which has wonderful apple and toast aromas with crisp acidity.  Cristalino and Freixenet also make very good Cava.

If you wish to skip the aperitif, but find the idea of a sparkling wine with turkey intriguing, then opt for a Cava Rosado (sparkling rose), which often has Garnacha (Grenache) in the blend.  Try the Freixenet Cordon Rosado Brut, on sale for $9.99.

Medium-bodied red wines also pair well with the richness of Thanksgiving fare.  Rioja reds, with their cherry and spice flavor profiles are a terrific food match that will complement but not overwhelm.  I might choose either of two 100% Tempranillo based Rioja Crianza’s from Bodegas Ramon Bilbao (R. Bilbao Rioja Crianza Tempranillo Limited Edition 2006, $16.99) and Bodegas Baigorri (Bai Gorri Crianza 2004, $21.99).  Both wines garnered 90-point ratings from the Wine Spectator and Wine Advocate respectively.

Anyone that prefers a dry white wine with their meal will be pleased with a zesty and juicy Rueda.   The Inspiracion Pampano Rueda from Agricola Castellana, on sale for $8.49, hits the right balance with crisp citrus, kiwi, and melon notes, with a wisp of white pepper on the finish.    

For an added treat, try one of several fortified wines with a slice of pumpkin pie for dessert.  Chill down a half-bottle of Ordonez Malaga ($21.99, limited availability) made from the Moscatel grape for a decadent delight.  An alternative choice would be any of several Pedro Ximenez (PX) varietal wines from Alvear or Bodegas Toro Albala.

Happy Thanksgiving!    

Jim Greeley, Wine Supervisor, SW Florida