Wines for Thanksgiving

There’s no better way to celebrate the holidays than over a few bottles of wine and some good eats. Just ask Kevin Hochman, general manager at Parker & Quinn. Hochman loves how subjective wine is. “You and I can taste two totally different things and both be right,” he explains. “These days I wish some other things in society were little more like that.”

Here, he reveals his top picks for the best wines to accompany Thanksgiving dinner.  

For the conversation starter:

Palmer & Co, Brut Reserve – Riems, France; $40+

Foucher-Lebrun “Le Mont” Sancerre, Loire, France 2012; $18+

“I would start with either of these bottles for the main course. They have a roasted sweetness to them that pairs well with our butternut squash soup, roasted cauliflower or beet salad”

“Le Mont is citrusy and serves well as a palate cleanser—perfect just before the main entree.”

For the main attraction:

David Bruce, Pinot Noir – Russian River Valley, California 2015 $40+

Hochman chose a classic Pinot Noir to accompany the Parker & Quinn’s Thanksgiving dinner. “To me few things pair as well with a turkey feast than a nice Pinot Noir, especially something a little more full bodied like this classic from the Russian River Valley. With a more old world style, the berries really shine, and the tannins leave you yearning for another sip.”

For a surprise factor:

Emmolo, Merlot, Napa, Californa, 2011; $60+

Merlot at one point was one of the most popular grapes around, the popularity and mass production got the best of it though, and its reputation has floundered. “Emmolo is the bottle I love to give to people who tell me they hate Merlot,” Hochman says. Produced by the Wagner (Caymus) family in the Oak Knoll district of Napa, “it’s a ‘bigger expression than most would expect, and provides some great dark berry notes with classic Napa Valley leathery tannins.”

For the memories:

Graham’s 20 Year Old Tawny Port, Douro, Portugal; $50+

For a sweet end to Thanksgiving, Hochman suggests Port, classic fortified red wine that pairs perfectly with dessert or can easily replace it. “The twenty year from Graham’s is the perfect expression retaining some fruity notes and tannins, but also mixed in are some much older ports for that famous barrel aged flavor I love.” Grab a glass, dig into dessert, and don’t forget to tell us what you’re thankful for this Thanksgiving.