The 24th* Annual Thanksgiving Parade of Wines!
11/16/2024
Thanksgiving — the wine lover's favorite holiday, when sharing our favorite bird-friendly wines with family, friends and neighbors heightens our enjoyment of this most convivial day! And what do we look for in a Thanksgiving wine? A full-bodied white that will not only complement turkey, but stand up to the cranberry sauce, stuffing and onions; rosés (yes, rosés are a great choice on Thanksgiving) that have a bit more fruit and terroir expression than those we gulp in the summer; a few orange or skin-contact wines of course, and reds that are not too heavy - ripe and supple with pretty fruit that won't overwhelm the mild flavors of turkey, turnips and mashed potatoes. And of course a sparkling wine or Champagne to begin or end our feast, and dessert wines that will shine with pumpkin, apple and mince pies, walnuts and cheeses. (But at my age, I'd rather have some nice Italian food with a good bottle of Grignolino…)
This year we start our selections with some favorite bubbles and pear ciders. Next, whites, from food friendly Loire whites to dry and off dry Rieslings, Chardonnay, some California Chenin and many other lesser known varietals. Our fondness for roses with harvest and Yuletide feasts is well documented, so we'd be remiss to not offer a couple of our favorites, along with several Portuguese "palhete" wines, made typically from a field blend of red and white grapes in a delightfully refreshing and low alcohol style. Palhetes mimic the cranberry and spiced flavors of the Thanksgiving meal and served with a chill, they are perfect accompaniment for a feast. We follow with reds, classics like Beaujolais and some like-minded, balanced reds such as a good Ribeira Sacra or Austrian option. The list is rounded out with some dessert wines and after dinner delicacies.
This year we (again) feature Pear Cider! Jerome Forget at La Ferme de L'Yonniere is known as one of the finest producers of pear cider in the world and we are proud to offer his poiré (pear cider) at Chambers Street. From ancient high-branch trees in a tiny protecrted area, the heirloom varities produce subtle, complex and extraordinary ciders that will be a delightful discovery at Thanksgiving. Please see our article on Jerome for the whole story! Offered here is the superb poiré "Cuvée Domfront," please go to our website for Jerome's other poirés and cider.
If you want to really get into the Thanksgiving spirit and drink something made a little closer to home, we have some wonderful selections from New York's Barbichette, a project by César Vega and Louisiane Remy who use fruit from a number of Finger Lakes and Long Island producers they've developed close relationships with over the years. The Barbichette wines are a shining example of some of the outstanding new wave of producers using New York fruit to make compelling, unique and supremely enjoyable wines. We are also thrilled to include some wines from Âmevive, which is the creation of Alice Anderson and her partner Topher de Felice in Santa Barbara County, CA, with a focus on Northern Rhone varietals. The wines are elegant and lively, with remarkable freshness and energy, and effortlessly walk the line between natural and classic - perfect for the Thanksgiving table!
For those looking for big bottles for the table, keep scrolling after the dessert wines to find a treasure trove of Mags that will surely be a hit... as they say, everything tastes better out of a magnum!
Our Thanksgiving picks are designed to please everyone at the table, from novice to Master of Wine, and to fit every budget as well. Have fun perusing our list and please call or email with any questions or for further recommendations. Most wines are in stock today, Nov. 16th, all others arrive by Tuesday Nov. 19th. Please allow an extra day for in-store pick-up and allow a few extra days for shipping in this busy season.
Happy Thanksgiving 20234 from everyone at Chambers Street! (* In this day and age, when the concept of "truth" is being questioned on all sides, we feel obliged to abandon Joe Dressner's predilection for fictitious dates, and publish a real number (24), standing up for Truth, Liberty, Justice and the American Way!!?? 🇺🇸 )
