Need some help with Wine?

Question

I am meeting my girlfriends family for the first time over thanksgiving and am wondering if it is ok for me to take a bottle of wine and if so any recomendations?

Answer 1

Its a GREAT idea! And do yourself a favor.... appeal to everyone by bringing a red and a white. I am a bartender and enjoy a good glass of wine.

For reds, try something that is more complex and has good body to it like a Shiraz or Red Zinfandel. Australian Shiraz is by far the best and there are many to choose from that won't break your bank. California Zins are good too. Try Ravenswood or Rancho Zabaco. Or if you can find it... Seven Deadly Zins! Its a blend of many Zinfandel grapes..... awesome!!

For the whites, I would suggest a Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. Again try the Australian Chards. They are very clean and crisp and easy to drink. ( Try a Penfolds or Yalumba ) Go with New Zealand for a Sauvignon Blanc! I would suggest one by a winery called Babich from NZ. Great bottles of wine!!

You'll thank me!!! They will be impressed! Good luck!

Answer 2

Take something they might not be familiar with but that you know. I would recommend a dessert wine, staff at a wine shop should be able to help you with a selection and give you information about the wine as well. Yalumba (from Australia) makes a wonderful Botrytis Viognier. It's not cheap but worth the money. 375 bottle only so but a few so that everyone gets a taste and some for seconds. Dessert wines are served in 2 ounce portions with coffee and dessert.

Answer 3

I would ask your girlfriend if her parents drink wine. If she says yes, then..
When choosing a wine for Thanksgiving dinner, bear in mind that the food is often highly seasoned so you want a wine with enough structure to stand up to the flavors of stuffing while complementing the milder flavor of turkey. Zinfandel or Chardonnay is usually a good choice (Red Wine). They are inexpensive and will go great with the dinner.
If she says no, bring a nice bouquet of rich orange flowers for her mother. Good Luck

Answer 4

Wine is a good gift if they are wine drinkers. If they don't drink, it probably isn't a good idea. Anyhow, there is debate on white or red for Turkey, but I am definately a red man. So a good Merlot or Syrah would be good. Australian Syrah is nice. Go for any bottle around $15, they are all generally good, or ask. Unfortunately, recommendations for specific bottles is difficult as stores carry different ones. So stick with Australian Syrah 2004 to 2002 for around $15 and you're golden.

Answer 5

Yes, it is an incredibly thoughtful gesture. I would opt for a Beaujolais Nouveau. The reason I suggest this is that the lighter, fruitier style of this wine is made from the Gamay varietal. This style of wine is very approachable and not too heavy or dry for people who do not drink wine often. They are very reasonably priced and only available for a short amount of time (around this time of year). In addition, they are very versatile and pair well with the myriad of flavors at the holiday meal.

Answer 6

Yes it's okay. Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio is awesome. It's about $21 a bottle and has a light smooth finish. Yummy stuff.

Answer 7

Wine sounds nice. Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon are good. Maybe you can get some flowers for the mother!?

Answer 8

Ask your girlfriend.....she should know if and what her parents drink.

Also, if you want to score points, find out how many little kids will be there and bring them each a little treat. Some cool novelty candy item or mini packs of markers and note pads....

Answer 9

nothing beats a good red wine. i drink robert mondavi wines from woodbridge to select. got to be an expert to really savor the difference. i usually go with woodbridge because of value/taste ratio. pinot noir-delicious. shiraz-delicious, merlot-decent.

Answer 10

take them a bottle of champagne instead. moet is a good 40 dollar bottle