What is a good white wine to have with thanksgiving dinner?

Question

specifically i'm looking for a recommendation on chardonnay. could you please provide the name and vintage?

Answer 1

I would like to suggest Columbian Crest Chardonnay vintage 1995-98 if you can find it, but also 2002-2004 were good years for it as well. I recommend this wine for it's fruity undertones that enhance the flavor of the food.

Hope this helps,

Chris

Answer 2

A few day ago Wine Spectator Magazine revealed their list of what they consider the 100 best wines. I was surprised to see a Chardonnay under $20 with a 93 rating. It is a Hess Collection Chardonnay Napa Valley 2004. I'm dying to get my hands on a case before Thanksgiving. Good luck and have a great Thanksgiving dinner!

Answer 3

Tried and True in our house...Lindeman Reserve Chardonnay 2003, Penfolds Koonunga Hills Chardonnay 2004, Yellowtail Chardonnay 2005 or another good white for Thanksgiving dinner (in my opinion) is Cavit Pinot Grigio. Have a nice holiday!

Answer 4

2002 Ramonet Montrachet (okay, any 2002 Monty, but I gave you my favorite). I could write a book on why, and people have, but Monty is Monty and no other Chard comes close. If you insist on California, Helen Turley's Marcassin Chardonnay will do pretty well. All those $20-$30 California Chard's listed above taste exactly the same, loaded with vanilla flavors fro the oak and creamy texture from the 100% malolactic fermentation, and little or no Chardonnay flavor.

Answer 5

In Québec where I grew up, the traditional turkey dinner is on Christmas Day. We typically serve French wines of the burgundy area, which are made from blends of unoaked chardonnay or white pinot (pinot grigio) or from the Loire Valley area, made from muscadet, chenin blanc or sauvignon blanc. Some white bordeaux are also appropriate (such as Mouton Cadet, not too expensive and very good). The key in selecting a wine or wine blend is to keep the wine not too fruity and not too dry. Anything that is too overpowering will clash with the delicate flavors of the turkey. Enjoy!

Answer 6

Well, chardonnay is very nice -- my wife's second favorite, thogh most often consumed wine -- but recently we have been very impressed with several different bottles of *Viognier*. A little bit more character than a Chardonnay, but not too heavy or overpowering. There are several really nice brands available at most any wine shop.

Try some -- I think you'll be very pleasantly surprised.

Answer 7

Any California chard would be good but here are a few suggestions: Toasted Head, Spellbound, Edna Valley, Guenoc, or if you really want a treat, try Cakebread Cellars.

There were a few other folks that recommended Viognier, which I think is perfectly appropriate any time a Chardonnay is, but many of the inexpensive ones are really bad. A good, reasonably priced one is Abundance Vinyards 'Talmage Block'. Well made.

Answer 8

Hendry
Chardonnay Blocks 19 & 20 Dijon Clone Napa Valley 2003
This wine has great finesse and delicate fruit flavors of fig and pear, with French oak adding subtle hints of nutmeg and clove. The mouth feel is round and full. It has a long lemon crme brlée finish. The alcohol is 14.7%

$24.95
Tamber Bey
Chardonnay Napa Valley 2003
Green/gold appearance. The 2003 has a bit more roundness than the 2002 with the longer growing season. Leesy aromas of lime blossom, roasted nuts, peach and pineapple. Juicy and racy on the palate with an almost syrup-like consistency. The yeasty/sweet butter elements dominate the entry and fan out into tropical fruits, honey and butterscotch.

$27.95

Dillon Vineyards
Yountville Chardonnay 2003 Oak Fermented
Fun to try the same, vineyard, winemaker and wine handled California style with its stainless sister.

$22.95
Dillon Vineyards
Yountville Chardonnay 2003 stainless
Our Stainless Steel Fermented Chardonnay has an iridescent light green to light straw color. The aroma and flavor profile shows concentrated fruit flavors of pineapple, green apple and tropical fruit. The wine is full bodied with a bright and balanced acidity generating an appealing mouth feel and a lingering finish.

$22.95
ZD
Chardonnay California 2004
Aromas of sweet pineapple, pear and lemon zest this wine exudes richness. Full bodied on the palate, pineapple, pear and sweet vanilla predominate, with a rich-creamy mouth feel that is perfectly balanced with the natural acidity.

$29.95
Napa Cellars
Chardonnay Napa Valley 2003
Napa Cellars 2004 Chardonnay opens with an assortment of rich aromas; pears and granny smith apples mingle with clove spiced oak and papaya. The palate showcases huge fruit flavors reminiscent of tropical fruit salad balanced by a layer of lemony acidity accentuating the long, polished finish.

$21.95

Answer 9

All the wine guides I've read suggest a good Chardonnay, but I personally prefer Riesling.

Answer 10

Paraiso Chardonnay is quite nice and is priced well (under $20, I spent $14). Its rated pretty high (avg about 90-92).

If you prefer something a little sweeter their Riesling is also a great choice as well.