Hosting a crowd of people for Thanksgiving? Tasked with bringing wine to someone else’s house? Then this article is for you!
We asked longtime Restonian and resident “Wine Guy” Andy Creemer to select a few wines that best pair with a beloved turkey and all the trimmings. Andy has worked for MacArthur Beverages in D.C. since 2000 and has an extensive background in hotels (including the Watergate Hotel) and fine dining. He now heads up the domestic wine department at MacArthur and organizes their annual California Barrel Tasting and Wine Dinner held in March each year.
Here are Andy’s picks:
2010 Domaine Carneros Estate Brut by Taittinger (certified organic)
This is a wonderful sparkling wine to entertain your guests with when they arrive. A blend of almost equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with beautiful tight beads that rise from the bottom of the glass. This wine has lovely aromas of pear, golden apple, honeycomb, lemon zest and brioche that lead to a very round palate and a long silky finish.
$32. Available at Harris Teeter and Total Wine and More in McLean.
2012 Etude Pinot Gris
For people looking for a versatile white wine to serve this holiday look no further than this stainless steel fermented Pinot Gris. In the glass, you will be met with beautiful aromas of apple blossom and tropical fruit. Bright flavors of white peach, Honeycrisp apple and citrus follow.
$28. Available at Harris Teeter.
2010 Highflyer Doctor’s Vineyard Pinot Noir
This amazing wine produced at Somerston Wine Company by Craig Becker has become a customer favorite at Macarthur Beverages. The Doctor’s Vineyard is located in the heart of the Santa Lucia Highlands. The 2010 vintage has wonderful bright fruit flavors and the purity of cool climate Pinot Noir aromatics, with layers of concentrated red cherry, cola, raspberry and red plum. I will be taking this to my wife’s family for thanksgiving this year!!!
$19.99 special Thanksgiving price (regularly $38). The Highflyer is only available through Andy at MacArthur Beverages.
2013 Chateau Thivin Cote de Brouilly
Always our best-selling cru Beaujolais, made by wonderful people. This 2013 may end up being one of the best yet, and needless to say this is the ultimate turkey red. Nice bright fruit, good acidity and just enough “oomph” to handle the dark meat (this would be great with duck or roast pork as well).
$22.99. Available through Andy at MacArthur Beverages.
If you have any questions for Andy about wine pairings, special events or any other inquiries, please feel free to contact him at 202-338-1433 or [email protected]. He will be happy to help you choose the perfect wines for any occasion.