Thanksgiving Table
NOVEMBER 2023
Roasted turkey stuffed with dressing (from whatever region of the U.S. you grew up in) is usually the center of a Thanksgiving table. At Julie's house, it was cornbread dressing with giblet gravy, sweet potato souflée, cranberry orange relish, peas, and fresh fruit salad tossed with whipped cream & toasted pecans.
Up here in the PNW, we hear about different traditions. We asked long-time customer Chris Rowland (PNW born & raised, outstanding cook & fellow wine club member). He said local traditions include: roasted turkey with stuffing (oyster, sausage or veggie), yams, green beans, creamed onions, mashed potatoes & cranberry sauce. Apparently everyone, everywhere enjoys pumpkin, pecan & apple pies!
After 20 years in the business, we know that to this wonderful, epic dinner, you will ask us for two wine recommendations: a bubbly (for a Thanksgiving toast with family and friends) and a lighter-bodied red, usually Pinot Noir, to have with dinner. So for this wine club, we decided to beat you to the punch and select a delicious bottle of Prosecco from northern Italy and an easy-drinking Pinot Noir from France. If you need to supplement these two wines, we're here to help!
Prosecco Land
Prosecco is produced in northeastern Italy, primarily in the region of Veneto but also in the neighboring region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia on the border to Slovenia. It is fermented in big, stainless steel tanks (as opposed to in the bottle like Champagne) which provides efficiencies in production that make this style of bubbly more affordable.
Your club Prosecco is made by the Nardi family, siblings Adamaria, Innocente and Guido (pictured above). Their property is located in Farra di Soligo within the Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG.
La Farra Prosecco Brut
Veneto, Italy // Reg $17.99 | WINE CLUB $15.99 | Mixed Case $12.79
100% Glera (the grape formally known as Prosecco, grown on the rugged, steep vineyard hills of DOC Prosecco, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
White flowers & apples on the nose. Apple, pear, citrus & a hint of peach on the palate. Good, fresh acidity. Fine bubbles. Great for a Thanksgiving toast, as an aperitif, or with Thanksgiving dinner itself. Cheers!
French Co-op Pinot Noir
This wine is a classic co-op production from France. The wine is produced 10 minutes east of Beaune in the village of Vignoles. The grapes are designated Vin de France, so they are grown outside of Burgundy. More that that, we don't know except the that winemaker is talented!
Jacques Bourguignon 2021 Pinot Noir
Vin de France // Reg $14.99 | WINE CLUB $13.99 | Mixed Case $11.19
100% Pinot Noir. Unoaked. This wine is what you hope shows up in the pitcher on your dinner table when you're travelling through France.
Subdued cherries, black raspberries, earthy notes. On the palate... more fruit than expected for this kind of wine. Blackberries, black cherries, dark plums. Great acidity. Light to medium-bodied. Long finish. Crazy-good. Insane for the price. Drink now to 2 years.
Cheers to you, your family & friends and to a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner!
Jens Strecker, Owner
Portalis Wine Shop