booze picks | thanksgiving 2016

If you're like me, food and wine just go together. While there are certain subtleties about wine descriptions which elude me, I do know that with the right wine, the flavors of food are magnified. I don't necessarily adhere to the wine "rules." The Man Friend and I are big fans of drinking whatever tastes good.

One of the biggest misconceptions about drinking wine at Thanksgiving is the whole "turkey is a light meat, have to drink a white wine" mentality. This seriously couldn't be further from the truth! Simply put, you're looking to match flavors. While I wouldn't recommend drinking a Petit Verdot with turkey breast, there are some amazing reds like Pinot Noir that match well with white meat. Also, a lighter white, such as Chenin Blanc, would pair well if you prefer ham. It's genuinely a matter a preference.

I'll admit to (1) NOT being a sommelier (2) waiting a little too late to post this blog. That being the case, I still wanted to share some of great picks you can snag at the grocery store to bring with you to Thanksgiving dinner.

thanksgiving 2016 | reds

under $10: apothic red

Apothic has been around for a while and is fairly mass-produced. I've always been obsessed with their logo and after visiting their interactive site, it's definitely a branding venture I can appreciate. They have a few blends, including their flagship wine and new blends Dark, Crush, and Inferno. At less than $10 a bottle, you'll be able to share some yumminess without breaking the bank.

under $20: josh cellars

Don't let the simple label fool you. This winery knows how to make stuff happen inside the bottle. For around $11-$15 a bottle, you're good to go by either choosing the Cabernet Sauvignon or their Legacy blend. These wines are easy to drink and are easy on the wallet.

under $30: la crema

These bottles are usually severely marked up in restaurants, but you can pick them up in grocery stores or other high quality liquor stores. Their 2014 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is a steal at $30.

When in doubt, choose a blend. There are tons of varieties in the grocery store. Have fun with it. However, I do recommend steering clear of boxed wines and highly mass produced bottles (you know which ones I'm talking about).

thanksgiving 2016 | wild cards

Like I said, I'm not a big fan of white wines, so my recommendations are crap. However, here are a few red wine alternatives. And in 2017, I promise to expand my palette and drink more white wine.

under $20: santa margherita pinot grigio

If you're looking for something crisp and easy to drink, the reviews can't be wrong. The tart apple flavors bring out the seasoning in your roasted turkey and provide a good contrast for dressing and filling salads.

the man friend's turkey day beer pick: tall grass brewing songbird saison

His take? "When you're eating a metric shit ton [his favorite phrase] of food, it's a nice, light beer that still has a ton of flavor. It's kind of fruity, but easy to drink."

my beer pick: sierra nevada tumbler brown ale

If I'm drinking beer, I want full flavors. Wine usually goes down way too easy with me, so I usually opt to sip a beer while I'm cooking. This brew also goes well with the over-the-top carb load of Thanksgiving, too.