We asked three local wine retailers to tell us what to pour on Thanksgiving. The parameters were simple: 6 people,
4 courses (nibbles, consomme, turkey with stuffing, and pies for dessert— pumpkin and apple).
And the final bill had to be under $50. Tina Witham
Lido Wine Merchants
2529 W. Main St., Littleton, 303-798-0122,
NIBBLES
Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava, Spain, $7.64
This pairs nicely with olives, etc. Besides, what is an occasion without bubbles?
SOUP
Barbadillo Palomino Fino, $8.92
Made from the sherry grape, this wine from Andalucia has nutty-briny characteristics.
TURKEY & TRIMMINGS
There are white-only and red-only wine drinkers out there, so by offering two wines, we are covered:
Mirth Chardonnay, Washington, $10.19
Creamy texture with mineral and tropical fruits, no oak. Grapes from Washington and Oregon are blended. Pairs nicely with turkey.
Curtis “Heritage Cuvee,” Santa Barbara, Calif., $12.32
Silky-textured Rhone blend with soft and pretty cherry-berry notes, pairs nicely with mushroom or sausage components in the dressing.
DESSERT
Domaine Cady “Les Varennes” Coteaux du Layon late harvest Chenin Blanc, Loire, France, $10.62
Sweet nectar — with flavors of apple, citrus and spice — bridges both types of pie very well.
TOTAL $49.69
Jason Driver
Reserve List
1886 S. Pearl St., 303-722-5478,
NIBBLES
Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava, Spain, $10
Wonderful Spanish sparkling wine that is a fun start to any meal and can be served as is or in mimosas and bellinis, and even with pomegranate juice.
SOUP
Vega Sindoa Rose, Navarra, Spain, $11
This 100 percent grenache provides a slightly drier rose. Wonderful served slightly chilled with a hot broth-style soup.
TURKEY & TRIMMINGS
Windmill Petit Sirah, Lodi, Calif., $11
98 percent petit sirah and 2 percent cabernet. Super-ripe blackberry and brown-sugar flavors and finishes with a touch of oak and spice. Fantastic with honey-glazed ham or roasted turkey and cranberry sauce.
DESSERT
Buller Tawny, Victoria, Australia, $13
Bouquet of liquored berry fruits. Wonderful with dessert, cigar or both!
TOTAL $45 plus tax
Pete Marczyk
Marczyk Fine Wines
770 E. 17th Ave., 303-894-9499
Note: Prices reflect standard 5 percent discount for customers purchasing three to five bottles.
NIBBLES
Gran Sarao Brut Cava NV from D.O. Cava (near Barcelona), Spain, $12.34
Complex beyond its price — toasty, deliciously bready and great acid balance. Perfect with cheese.
SOUP
Chateau Benoit Cuvee, 2007 Müller-Thurgau, Carlton, Ore., $12.34
The müller-thurgau grape is widely planted in Austria, Germany and northern Italy. This Oregon interpretation is a tremendously food-friendly wine.
TURKEY & TRIMMINGS
Sottimano Bric Del Salto Dolcetto D’Alba 2008 from Neive, Italy, $14.24
I cannot overstate my passion for this incredible and very limited Dolcetto — low on tannins and big on elegant red fruit with subtle complexities of baking spices. Bright, focused and vibrant.
DESSERT
Offley Tawney Porto NV from Oporto, Portugal, $10.44
Rich, deep, nutty tones and dried fruit on the nose give way to a big, beautiful mouthful of porty deliciousness. Also perfect for guests who overindulged, and prefer a lighter “liquid” dessert.
Total $49.36 plus tax
Tucker Shaw
