Best of … wine pairings for holiday dinners

Contributed by Tim Brugger, Catalogs.com Top 10 Guru

You’ve dusted off the china, the table settings are picture perfect and now it’s time to pour the wine; so, what’ll it be?

White for poultry, red for beef is a decent start, but there’s more to consider for matching the right wine with the right holiday dinner.

To help you on your way to the ideal combinations, here are the best of wine pairings for holiday dinners.

Turkey and Sauvignon Blanc

Classic with crisp

May as well begin with the obvious; turkey. Of course, turkey is often the entrée of choice come Thanksgiving, but a lot of holiday dinners include this wonderful bird; the leftovers alone are worth the price of admission. Other than overly sweet dessert wines, there are numerous choices for these white wine pairings. A light, crisp Sauvignon Blanc like The Moorings, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from Zagat Wine, is a perfect selection.

Goose and Pinot Noir

Game with bold

Foregoing the turkey this year in lieu of a game bird, like maybe goose or duck? If so, you’re able to test the boundaries a bit with just the right bottle of red. Stick with a lighter, slightly fruitier red as opposed to the big boys like Cabernet Sauvignon. You’ll find just the right Pinot Noir as part of the Northwest trifecta at Harry and David, one of a few ideal wine pairings this Holiday season.

Pumpkin pie and Reisling

Dessert with chilled sweet wine

Now that the top button of the pants is undone, slyly of course, and you’re just about ready for dessert; what’s a self-respecting wine connoisseur to do? Wine pairings that worked with your Turkey or game bird aren’t appropriate to accompany a homemade pumpkin pie. A well chilled Riesling or Ice wine bottled in California and sent directly to your door from the California Wine Club should do the trick.

Turkey with Merlot

The best wine they’ve never tried before — and will love!

For the red wine lover you too can enjoy perfect wine pairings, even with turkey. As with game birds, heavy reds simply won’t do. But, the right Merlot with a slightly fruity undercurrent is absolutely delish. And since Merlot is one of the more popular vintages around, you’ll have several options from which to choose.

And to really make it special, bring what will surely become everyone’s new favorite wine. This 2007 Oregon made Merlot from Made in Oregon is certain to be a crowd-pleaser, and will separate you from the “grabbed at the grocery store” crowd, too.