Thanksgiving: What to Pour?

With under a week to go before America's big day to give Thanks and fill our stomachs, year after year we ask ourselves, "what kind of wine goes with?....." To celebrate the upcoming holiday, we invite readers to post their favorite Virginia wine and food pairings, and we offer a few of our own.

Turkey:
Most white meats go best with white varietals, and turkey is no exception. Our favorites are the Cardinal Point Quattro, one of their signature blends of Riesling, Gewurtztraminer, Viognier, and Traminette, with notes of pear and honeysuckle; Chatham Vineyards Church Creek Chardonnay Oak Blend, with its delicious flavors of apple and vanilla; and Flying Fox Vineyard's Pinot Gris, dry and crisp with an abundance of citrus notes.

Pinot Noir is a red varietal that goes well with turkey. We suggest Rockbridge Vineyard's Dechiel Pinot Noir, with its complex but immensely drinkable cranberry and hazelnut tones.

Ham:
Ham is the stand-by if the family is tired of turkey (or, in the case of large families, is offered in addition to turkey). Off dry and off sweet whites work great with ham, their sweetness offsetting the salt. We love North Gate Vineyard Rkatsiteli, a crisp style with hints of lemon and melon that is becoming quite popular on the East Coast. Williamsburg Winery offers A Midsummer Night's White, a terrific blend of Vidal Blanc, Traminette, Petit Manseng, and Viognier that pairs well with both ham and spare ribs. Doukenie Winery's Riesling boasts a crisp (steel aged) finish with a touch of green apple.

Rosé also works with ham; we suggest Sunset Hills Vineyard's Sunset Rosé, a refreshing blend of Chambourcin and Traminette.

Save some wine taste buds for dessert!

Pumpkin Pie:
Barboursville Vineyards' dessert wine, Malvaxia Passito, is made from Moscato Ottonel and Vidal grapes, and is well balanced and silky, a perfect compliment for this Thanksgiving mainstay.

Or.....

Pecan Pie:
Stinson Vineyards' Imperialis is a port-style wine crafted from Tannat. A delicious compliment to the sweet and molasses-rich pecan pie, which the Blogmasters usually go for over the more popular pumpkin.

But it's Thanksgiving....why not go for both?

Happy Turkey (or Ham) and Wine day, everyone!