I’m Dreaming of a White Thanksgiving (wine that is)

Posted by Bottle Report on Nov 24th, 2009 in Featured Articles | 1 comment

Thanksgiving Recommendation: I actually paid more than $10 for a bottle of wine. Make that 2 bottles of wine over $10. This is new territory for me. Back in October Dick and Sally Benjamin, during their two-day wine tasting seminar, said there favorite wine for Thanksgiving was Gewürztraminer, especially the Willm Reserve. Dick said “When I think of Thanksgiving, I think of this wine.” Luckily we got to taste it that night. It was excellent. Now, I tend to lean toward a slightly sweeter white when I do drink white wine but that sweetness range is very short. This wine is drier than many Gewürztraminers or other German varietals but the strong fruit flavors bring it into a nice balance. I also got fussed at by Dick when I grossly mispronounced “Gewürztraminer.” You bet I can pronounce it now. “ger-vurtz-tra-mee-ner.”

When I saw that Roger at Vineyard was going to have a Gewürztraminer at his weekend tasting I thought I should at least check it out since it was an American grown Gewürztraminer. The Brandborg Gewürztraminer is sweeter that the Willm. But there is a flavors that is a bit more intense. The sweetness is apparent without being overly sweet. It falls nicely in that narrow range I mentioned. I watched several people smile when they tried it. I also saw the bottle count on the shelf visibly go down during a 30 minute period. I jumped in and snagged one before they were gone. So I know that some members of the Mr. Dan family will eventually divide up between the dry side and the sweet side. In order to ensure domestic tranquility I think I have come up with the perfect balance. We should have just enough for the Thursday Feast, especially when one of newest members is pregnant and will be giving up her share.

I’ve never really thought about any particular wine with Thanksgiving. Gewurztraminer seems to be a popular option in any wine shop I visit. I featured a non-Gewurztraminer Italian White wine last night that I think will be well accepted. Dennis posted last night about another Oregon Gewurztraminer (Stangeland) but when I asked him if it was a good “turkey” wine he said it would be good for before or after the meal. I’ll take his word for it. But I’m going to side with the voice of experience and drink the Willm and the side with my inner voice that says I need to also try the Brandborg. Then it will be time to fall asleep in front of the football game. I’ll deserve it. The issue with having a Sister-in-law read your blog is that gets the idea that I can Beer Butt a Turkey on demand. I’ve been assigned the task of cooking a turkey on Thanksgiving. Hmmm. I just heard a weird noise. AHHHHHHHGGG! The washing machine started vibrating on the spin dry cycle and walked a huge jug of liquid Tide onto the floor. The top was not on. I now I have sea of dark blue slowly creeping across the laundry room floor. I see a “Daily Pour” in my future.

Here are the (above $10) wines for Thanksgiving:

Willm Gewürztraminer Reserve 2007 What: They give their web address on the bottle in English but if you don’t speak or read French don’t bother visiting the site. It’s all in French. The label says “Gewurztraminer Willm is made entirely from Gewurztraminer grapes grown in the Alsace region of France. Nowhere else does this grape excel as in the climate of Alsace, producing a highly distinctive, dry and spice wine. Try it with rich, creamy shellfish dishes or highly seasoned foods.” We aren’t stuffed our turkey with oysters but I’ll be stuffing my face with Beer Butt Turkey and enjoying a glass or two of these gems.

From: France

Winery: Willm

Purchased: Wine World

Cost: $17.99

Year: 2007

Brandborg Gewurztraminer 2007

What: Their website says: “Elkton has proved to be an absolute bulls eye for this varietal, sourced from the Bradley Vineyard planted in 1983. The aromatics are so pure and true to type with wonderful leeche, exotic spices, clove and stick cinnamon, tea roses and mandarin oranges. Upon tasting the wines citrus elements come forward with a rich and supple entry, followed by a long and lingering spicy fruit finish. This is our sweetest white with 2.5% residual sugar, but the refreshing acidity keeps the whole package in balance. This is a very versatile food wine and can serve as an aperitif, as a starting course wine with foie gras for instance or find paring with desert. Of course Thai food is a natural, as is our wonderful local Rouge Creamery blue cheeses.” My momma would skin us all if we decided on Thai food over turkey so once again I say ” I’ll be stuffing my face with Beer Butt Turkey and enjoying a glass or two of these gems.”

From: Oregon

Year: 2007

Stopper: Screw Top