Jim Tumbls.

This is the post I’ve been trying to write all week. I didn’t plan on doing all the blog reading and research for wines this year for two main reasons:

1. In years past, the blogs and articles are all generally the same. They discuss the difficulty in pairing a meal with such complex flavors to a single wine (or two) and typically fall back to the old standbys of Pinot Noir and Riesling. Alternatively, they might do a huge tasting of obscure wines that I have no chance in finding here in Pennsylvania, or don’t want to break the bank on.
2. While they enjoy wine, the people I have dinner with don’t have the same interest (ok, obsession) with wine and can be a bit overwhelmed with a complete wine list that I’ve been known to put together. They typically find one that they like, the dry red or the sweet white, drink it when they arrive and through dinner and don’t pay attention to the wine courses I have paired with different parts of dinner (in my mind).

Well who am I kidding? I like the reading of articles and blogs and finding a list of wines for myself more than anything else. I still read the blogs in case there is a new idea out there (surprise - there was this year, and several I read closely paralleled my own idea this year). So even though it’s late (only four wine shopping days till Thanksgiving) here is a consolidated list of blogs and articles on the web for your own reading pleasure as well as my list for the holiday.

First, the standard articles and blogs:

• Wines of the Times (New York Times)
• Thxgivin’ Wine under $20 (GWU$20)
  • This one conflicts with the “standard” recommendations, which I find of interest… to note is a grouping of rosés, and a Grüner Veltliner.
• SippitySup
  • This one branched out a bit with drier, heavier wines… this will work well with my family.

Now three other interesting blogs:

• Thxgivin’ Buying Guide for the Noob (2008 blog)
  • I really like this one because it gives you themes instead of specific picks, especially for those of us bound to PA selections.
• saignée (Obligatory Thanksgiving Wine Post)
  • Again, just themes and things to consider when making that list. Throw in a bit of humor, and we have a good wine post. Numbers 9 and 10 are particularly interesting…
• Vinography (Stop The Thanksgiving Wine Recommendations!)
  • This one calls it as they see it, and it generally follows the theme I’m doing this year. The “Two Simple Approaches” will both be used by me.

So they were my favorite picks of the articles and blogs I read this year… now (in no particular order… I’m not doing courses anymore, remember?) my selections:

Reds:

• Garnacha de Fuego, old vines (2008, Spain) - 3 Bottles
  
  • I enjoyed this in early October at Emeril’s Chop House with some good friends. On Halloween I also brought this to a party and compared with some others… it’s a winner at $10.
  • It’s dry, with dark berry flavor but has a hint of sweetness. It has depth, but will not overpower any of the foods
• Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel (2007, California) - 2 Bottles
  • Always a favorite, this was a last minute consideration. The real wine drinkers in my family like their big, dry reds (I’m no exception). A good Pinot (next up) is always enjoyed, but is not the first choice typically. Since I was going with the “get a bunch of different things that people will enjoy” theme this year, this Zin is a perfect fit.
  • Again a big, bold flavor with dark berries up front. This has more boldness than the garnacha but also a bit more smoothness.
• Shelton Vineyards Pinot Noir (2005, North Carolina) - 1 Bottle
  • This one was a gift from Granny after a trip down there when I took care of her cats. That was over a year ago and she’s stopped asking if I’ve opened it yet. I always said I’d wait for an occasion when she was around… here it is!
  • This is a traditional Thanksgiving pick. I can’t wait to see how NC does with wine.
• Other wines… My satellite cellar at Mom & Todd’s place is expanding all the time, and I have some other great red selections that will come out if requested, including some good Vynecrest reds I’ve been aging.

Whites:

• Vynecrest Traminette (2008, Pennsylvania) - 1-2 Bottles
  • What would Thanksgiving be without Vynecrest at the table? Traminette is a Gewürztraminer relative with a flowery nose and spicy taste. Dry, but still fruity this will hold up to diverse flavors but not dry your mouth out or burn it with too much acidity.
• Vynecrest semisweet Riesling (2008, Pennsylvania) - 1-2 Bottles
  • Again falling into the “typical” Thanksgiving pairings, who am I to argue with versatile wines? This example holds up to any Washington state Riesling I enjoy, and is easily accessible. Even the sweet wine drinkers can drink this, and I bet Granny won’t sour her face and exclaim “vinegar!!!” when she has a taste of this one.
• Vynecrest Niagra (2007, Pennsylvania) - 1 Bottle
  • Sweet and grapey, this Native American grape tastes like Welch’s White with a kick. Even after Granny tries everything else I bring thinking they’re the “better” wines, she can fill up a glass of Niagra with ice cubes and have at it. I won’t be embarrassed or cringe - this one’s for her!

Dessert:

• Fonseca Porto bin 27 (Portugal) - 1 Bottle
  • This I bought on a whim. I haven’t had port in stock in a while and this one looked interesting. I’m sure only Todd and I will partake with this one, but yummy!

So there it is! Something for everyone, everything for everyone! Whatever doesn’t get consumed will end up in my satellite cellar (I don’t expect to go through everything with only eight wine drinkers, and half of them drinking just one glass).