Wondering what wine to serve with Thanksgiving dinner? For advice, we talked to:

Brett Clifford » Wine Coordinator for Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control

 

What wines pair with turkey, stuffing and all the fixings?

The best wines for Thanksgiving aren't the popular choices of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Shiraz. These wines are too full-bodied, oaky or tannic. They overpower the turkey, stuffing and rest of the meal.

For reds, the best choice is Pinot Noir. It's lovely variation on cherry fruit -- [and its] light spice, velvety texture, low tannin makes it a fine foil for the food.

A close second would be Beaujolais from France, or Grenache-based wines from the Côtes du Rhone and Ventoux, Spain, and Australia.

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to serve a drier, crisp and charming rosé wine, especially if your table includes ham along with the turkey. The candied yams and cranberry sauce will love the match. To make it even more festive, go for a rosé or blanc de noir sparkling wine.

For those who prefer whites, stick with the lesser known aromatic varietals, such as Pinot Gris from Alsace, Oregon or California. Gewürztraminer, with its pungent aroma, also can work very well with the diverse foods of Thanksgiving. If you must have Chardonnay, choose one of the un-oaked versions.

 

Suggestions under $20?

 

Reds

2006 Talbott Kali-Hart Pinot Noir » $15.99

2008 Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir Whole Cluster » $15.99

2006 42 Degrees South Pinot Noir Tasmania » $17.99

2007/2008 Domaine Dupeuble Beaujolais » $14.66

2004 Fireblock Grenache Old Vines » $16.99

Rosé/Sparkling

2008/2009 Francis Coppola Sofia Rosé » $15.99

2008 Zacherle Rosé Napa Valley » $13.52

Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs » $17.93

Whites

2007/2008 J Pinot Gris Russian River » $15.99

2007/2008 Caymus Conundrum » $16.19

2008 Pine Ridge Chenin-Viognier » $12.89

 

Other tips?

The state-owned wine and liquor stores place an orange marker, in the shape of a turkey, next to wines that pair with Thanksgiving dinner.

afassio@sltrib.com