Welcome to the start of our search for the Best Wines for Thanksgiving! Last year we spent the better part of November digging in, and looking for great wines. We weren’t disappointed. Before we begin, a quick reminder of what you’re looking for in a Thanksgiving wine.
What Makes a Good Thanksgiving Wine?
- Lower alcohol – Below 14% – Keeps your guests happy, but not too happy…
- Approximately medium body – nothing extreme from a light or heavy perspective
- Good acidity – This helps keep the wine and the food working together, especially with the diversity of the Thanksgiving table
How many bottles should I buy for my party?
In order to figure out the number of bottles you’ll need, use the following formula:
- # of Bottle for Holiday Party = (# of guests drinking wine x # hours for the party) ÷ 5
For example, a 5 guest party going for 4 hours would want to have 4 bottles of wine. If the party had 10 guests, you’d want to buy 8 bottles.
Finally, please remember to get your DD something nice, and drink responsibly!
Carpineto Dogajolo Toscano 2014
Last year, Ruffino Chianti Superiore made top marks. While not a straight Chianti, Carpineto Dogajolo Toscano is 80% Sangiovese, and should perform the role admirably.
Sight: A pretty garnet color, with a hint of brick around the edge.
Smell: The nose has a beautiful, fresh black cherry mixed with vanilla, and cloves. Touches of blackberry and plum get into play with a hint of sage.
Sip: On the palate, there’s a fantastic amount of brightness to accompany a rather light body. Dark blackberries, plum skins, hints of cassis, and currant all drive the primary flavors. In the secondary, a deep espresso note lingers with touches of cigar box and an earthy backbone. A certain amount of deep, sunbaked earth with an herbal twist adds another level.
Savor: The ending has a nice moderate tannic structure and a finish of fresh cherries and blackberries with a hint of toasted oak and earth.
Carpineto Dogajolo Toscano is intriguingly layered, with a deep amount of dark fruit. The primary fruit flavors are on the tannic, underripe, but pungent side of the spectrum with an herbal bent. Subtle secondary notes let the fruit go first, but show that there is good potential to age here with the tannin and acidity backing it up. Speaking of acidity and tannins, these make a great match for food, especially turkey and the heavily spiced fare of the Thanksgiving table. If you’re a fan of Chianti, but would like it a little richer, Capineto Dogajolo Toscano is a tasty option to try.
Verdict: Black Cherry, Blackberries, Spice, Herbal, Earthy
Rating: 87
Price: $10
Tuscany, Italy
Blend: 80% Sangiovese | 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
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