What wine is best for Thanksgiving? That is a hot topic at this time of year, and I have seen many answers to that question.

In the past we have enjoyed Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with our Thanksgiving meal, but what if you want something different? Tonight we will taste several typical Thanksgiving foods with our wines to see if we can find a perfect pairing.

Tonight, we taste:

1. 2021 Domaine Fillastreau. This is a Saumur from the Loire Valley, purchased from Sarasota Wines for $22.95. A rich, luscious wood-matured wine, this is dense and smooth. Honey and crisp apple come together in this ripe, full wine with its total freshness at the end. Drink the wine from 2023. Organic and biodynamic.
2. 2022 Quinson Cotes de Provence, purchased from Trader Joes for $8.99. Cellar Tracker says light salmon colored, peaches and cherry aromas. Strong earthy mineral base. Light peach and good zip.
3. 2021 Octopoda Pinot Noir purchased from Costco for $7.99. It received a 91 from the Wine Enthusiast. It has 14.5% alcohol. Fresh and fruity aromas of black raspberry, red flowers and star anise. This ripe and well-rounded wine offers palate-warming plums, strawberries and cherries on a relatively soft texture, with accents of vanilla, clove and cedar from oak.

Next week The wines we will taste include:

1. 2023 Foncastel Picpoul De Pinet. This Languedoc, France wine was purchased at Trader Joe’s for $8.99.
2. 2022 Pacific Rim Riesling. Purchased from Costco for $7.89.
3. 2022 Le Grand Noir Chardonnay purchased from Costco for $9.99.