Well, here we are once again getting prepared for some major holiday action. November and December are big wine months with people searching out the best pairings for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. I decided to search for a red wine that would pair nicely with all the various dishes that make up the traditional Thanksgiving meal. I’ve been spending some time watching YouTube videos to see what other wine experts are suggesting and let me tell you, the suggestions are all over the place! However, there is one consistent element that shines through. First, the wine should be good, that’s sort of a no-brainer. Second, the wine should have decent acidity, to help cut through some of that butter we like to use and the gravy and the other fatty foods that complement the turkey.
I went with a red that I felt fell into the aforementioned criteria. Over the past couple of years, I have been gravitating towards Grenache as a pairing for the Thanksgiving meal. I’ve found some good ones that have worked well. So this year I as was presented a GSM red blend from a not-so-well-known winery out of Washington State. As soon as I tasted it, I knew it would be my pick. It has all the elements to make it a great match for the meal and the price is right. You see, it is a good idea to have a wine at the table that you are confident most of your guests will like. I believe this fits the bill.
Non-Vintage Guild GSM Red (Columbia Valley, WA)… $14.
As most of you know, GSM stands for the grapes Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. This is a Rhone-style red from the New World. Aromas of plums, cherries and spice, with a hint of roasted marshmallows. Plum and cherry notes ride on smooth tannins, with a kiss of blueberry underneath. Chocolate notes sneak in on the mid-palate into the finish where baking spice and white pepper notes shine. This baby is a “10” in the delicious category and has a good balance of acidity, fruit and tannins. I believe you will be pleasantly surprised with how well this will match up with your upcoming holiday meal.
Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man
