3 (drinkable) secrets for the perfect Thanksgiving
Most of us can agree on this much: Giving thanks is more fun when you can raise a glass of the good stuff. (Not to mention that after such a heated election season, a little wine may help take the edge off the year’s biggest gathering of family—and viewpoints.)
In any case, Laura Maniec, co-founder and CEO of Corkbuzz, can help. The wine bar, which originated in New York City, has a Charlotte location in SouthPark, near the Whole Foods, and serves up fine wine and education for everyone from the novice to the aspiring sommelier.
Sip Charlotte recently sat down with Maniec, 36, one of only a few dozen female Master Sommeliers in the world, to get her suggestions for incorporating good wine into a Thanksgiving feast. Here are some of her tips to get you through the day while (subtly) impressing the family.
On how much wine you need:
For dinner parties, Maniec says she usually recommends hosts plan on two 6 oz. glasses of wine a person. (There are four in each bottle.) But for Thanksgiving—a gathering that usually involves hours of eating—people drink more. She suggests you plan for each person to have two-and-a-half to three glasses. So if you’ve got six people, you’ll probably need about four bottles.
“The tag can just say ‘Perfect for turkey'” or something simple, Maniec says. (More on this below.)
As for what to serve…
Well, first, what not to serve: that 1982 Bordeaux, Maniec says, laughing. A) It’ll seem snobby. B) When you see your tipsy uncle indiscriminately pouring himself a huge glass, you’ll regret it.
As for what you should serve, here are the types of wines to offer:
Zinfindel: A powerful red and Thanksgiving classic. Bonus: It comes from one of thefew red grapes grown in the U.S., Maniec says. And is there a better time to serve American wine than on Thanksgiving?
Pinot noir: The gentle aromas and fruity tartness complement the turkey and the side dishes, from the cranberry sauce to the stuffing.
Riesling: Serve a riesling to add a slightly sweet, fruity taste to what can often be dry dishes, like turkey and potatoes, Maniec says.
A dessert wine: Opt for a sweet wine that has many of the same spices you’ll find in your favorite dessert, like pumpkin pie. The key, though: “It’s important that the wine is sweeter than your dessert,” Maniec says. She suggests a bottle from the Jurançon region of France.”It has cloves in it, isn’t cloying, and is refreshing,” she says. “It’s not like drinking syrup.”
Still overwhelmed? You have a couple more options at Corkbuzz. The wine bar is hosting a fun, seasonal tasting of eight wines perfect for the Thanksgiving table from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19. (Cost is $25 per person. Get your tickets here.) Corkbuzz has also taken the guesswork out Thanksgiving wine selections by creating a Thanksgiving six-pack: a Rosé sparkling to start, a light and full-bodied white, and then three reds to take you through seconds and thirds.
Photos: BlueSky by Cass Bradley
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This story was originally published November 16, 2016 at 8:56 PM with the headline "3 (drinkable) secrets for the perfect Thanksgiving."