What's the best wine to go with Thanksgiving dinner?
We asked that question of Jarred Gild, who you might know as the "wine guy" at Western Market in Ferndale. (Read more about him here!)
He gave us some tips on choosing a wine to serve (or bring as a gift) for the holiday, and five specific suggestions to make your shopping trip even easier.
1. Chateau Cariziere Muscadet: This light, dry white wine has "a good crispness" and is organically grown. "It's what a Pinot Grigio is supposed to be," Gild says. Price: $12.99.
2. Lini Labrusca Rosato: This is a dry, savory wine that will pair well with Thanksgiving dinner. It's "not your mom's labrusca," Gild says. Price: $14.99.
3. Maison Angelot Bugey Gamay: This light, bright wine has a high acidity. "It should refresh the palette," Gild says - which is what choosing a dinner wine is all about. While some may prefer a heavier flavor - "that's not going to go with food," he said. Price: $14.99.
4. Alodio Ribera Sacra Mencia: "Something a little different from Spain," says Gild. Made from the indigenous Mencia grape, it has dark fruits and dusty tannins, with a peppery, herbal finish. "The snappy finish saves from overpowering dinner," he says. Price: $14.99.
5. Lionel Osmin Villa Chambre d'Amour: This is a lightly sweet wine with a peach flavor - but it's not syrupy sweet. "It should taste like the best peach you ever had," Gild says. Price: $11.99.
More on choosing wine
Western Market tends to stock wines that are natural and have "terroir" - a French term that can be used to describe the "sense of place" in a wine.
"We try to keep the best things for the money," Gild said.
You don't have to spend a ton of money to get a good wine, he said - You should find consistently good wines at $10 to $15 at a market like Western.
If you aren't sure what to choose, just "find a wine guy or gal" and they'll be happy to help. Gild will be available for advice at Western from about 12-7 p.m. Wednesday (the store is closed Thursday).
"The most important thing is to just keep trying different wines," says Gild.
And don't fret your choice of wine too much - "It's only there to enjoy," he said.
