Monthly Picks: October 2012

In Canada we celebrate Thanksgiving in October. For the US, it's November. The origins, too, are different, but the modern day traditional meal and cultural experience are quite similar: family, friends and food. Our Monthly Picks list for October is focused on perfect pairings for the ultimate Thanksgiving meal, no matter when you celebrate it.

Chateau Des Charmes 2009 Gamay Noir - $13
This is the perfect wine for a Thanksgiving feast of roasted turkey, especially the succulent dark meat. At this price you can afford a few bottles to make sure the whole table gets a glass or two!
Thanksgiving Pairing: Turkey (dark meat), Stuffing
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Little Straw Vineyards 2011 Tapestry - $17
The aptly named Tapestry, weaves together the varietal characters of Riesling, Auxerrois, Gewurztraminer, Siegerrebe and Schonburger. Easy drinking, to be sure, but with more going on than your average crowd-pleasing, off-dry white blend.
Thanksgiving Pairing: Ham, Apple- sauce
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Stag's Hollow Winery 2011 Syrah Rosé - $19
The cheerfully sublime nose of this rosé of strawberry, rose petal and light rhubarb notes with the comforting aromas of Peek Freans' Fruit Cream cookies. How can you resist that? The blend of 91% Syrah, 5% Viognier and 4% Muscat adds complexity and supports flexible food pairing options.
Thanksgiving Pairing: Football Icon Score  

Young and Wyse Collection 2011 Amber - $20 A lively and cheerful blend of 43% Viognier, 37% Pinot Gris and 20% Gewurztraminer with intense green apple acidity, lemon/lime flavours and cool minerality. A long finish with lingering tartness, light spice and a hint of edible flowers.
Thanksgiving Pairing: Apéritif
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Cassini Cellars 2010 Moscato - $24
This charming, honeydew and spicy peach flavoured wine opens with a lovely nose of pecans, tangerines and violets and will compliment your favourite nutty pie or crème brûlée rather than compete with it.
Thanksgiving Pairing: Pecan pie, Pumpkin pie
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Fairview Cellars 2010 Cabernet Franc - $27
A cool, but long 2010 growing season has given birth to a low alcohol and nuanced Cabernet Franc that is reminiscent of a Pinot Noir crossed with a Cabernet Sauvignon.
Thanksgiving Pairing: Roast beef
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JoieFarm 2010 Reserve Chardonnay - $30
Another stellar vintage of Chardonnay from JoieFarm who each year release an amazingly consistent reserve-tier, robust, age-worthy wine, no matter what the growing season seems to throw their way. Has the richness to hang with even the most buttery of butter braised Turkeys.
Thanksgiving Pairing: Turkey (white meat)
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