Nashville Food Blog

​No pressure, but Thanksgiving is one of the biggest wine-drinking holidays of the year. And with the astounding amount of flavors from the array of side dishes and desserts on the typical holiday table, pairing wines to your meal can be difficult. Add to that the fact that turkey doesn't really have that much intrinsic flavor to hang your hat on and you could find yourself in a (cranberry) jam.

Traditionally, spicy Zinfandels and fruity Syrahs are the recommended reds to accompany your cornucopia, and bolder whites like Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer and Viognier are the go-to choices if you want to avoid the need for Crest Whitening Strips. But what if you want to go a little deeper in the cellar for some more interesting varietals? Never fear, intrepid Bitesters. Wine merchants also appreciate your predicament, and several have offered helpful suggestions for you.

Richard Payne at The Wine Chap recommends Kuentz Bas Alsace Blanc and Chateau Ross Three White Sheep for nontraditional white wine options. The Chateau Ross is particularly appropriate for those of you trying to have a locavore Thanksgiving since it is made in nearby Springfield. I've not tried it myself, but Richard claims that Three White Sheep smells like a Riesling, but finishes like a Sauvignon Blanc. Sounds like a winner to me.

On the red side of the vineyard, Jeff Warzynski, the wine manager at Frugal MacDoogal, points you toward Zaco Rioja Tempranillo 2006 and Le Mas des Flauzieres Cotes du Ventoux (a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault). Substituting Cinsault for the more traditional blending grape of Mouvedre adds a softness to the Grenache and Syrah that makes this a very food-friendly wine. If there are any bicyclists at your table, they will probably recognize that this wine is produced in the shadow of the heartbreaking peak of Mont Ventoux that marked the finish of the last competitive leg of this year's Tour De France.

Finally, on special occasions (or just about any occasion for that matter) you can hardly go wrong with a little bit of the bubbly. Will Motely at Woodland Wine Merchant suggests trying some Spanish Cavas with your "excuse to avoid the Detroit Lions game on the big screen." Avinyo Cava Brut or Avinyo Cava Rose from the Penedes region of Spain are both moderately priced options to accentuate the spicy flavors of your Cajun turkey and the pumpkin pie.

All of these shops will be open on Wednesday but must, by law, be closed on Thanksgiving Day. When you're bringing out the cranberries, don't forget about the grapes!