Countdown to Thanksgiving, Day 3: Choosing the Right Wine

was The List; was Delegation Day. Here's Day 3 of the Turkey Day planning process:

If anyone knows about wine it’s Linda Jones of the Lansing-based Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council. Come Turkey time, Jones starts contemplating her favorite pairings with a Thanksgiving feast.

Sip this with turkey

“For a Pure Michigan Thanksgiving dinner, I’d suggest with turkey a dry or semi-dry Riesling, perhaps by St. Julian, Chateau Grand Traverse, Black Star Farms, Bowers Harbor or other Michigan producers,” she said. 

Michigan wines are available at a variety of different stores in the area, including , and in Royal Oak. “Michigan wineries make a variety of Rieslings of varying sweetness levels," said Jones. "There's bone dry to super sweet — one to suit anyone’s sweetness preference."

Chef Lynn Milller of Bloomfield Hills also prefers sweet libations for turkey.

Miller, who runs a cooking school called Curious Cooks and is the author of Flavor Secrets: Back to the Basics, chooses a red Zinfandel to go with turkey. “It’s fruity and really complements the turkey beautifully,” she said. “Some of my favorites are Ridge and Denner vineyards.”

Scott Collins, a manager at Cloverleaf Fine Wine in Royal Oak, is quick to tell his customers that Pinot Noirs go well with turkey.

“There’s a Castle Rock Pinot Noir Cuvee for about $10 that’s great — you get a lot of bang for your buck,” Collins said.  Another in the economical department, said Collins, is a Parducci Pinot Noir blend for about $14. "It’s small-lot, food-friendly and people with a wide array of taste preferences seem to enjoy this.” 

As for white wines, Collins likes the finely crafted French Vouvray Chenin Blancs. “Chenin Blancs tend to be dry but without the heaviness that often comes with Chardonnays,” he explained.  “These won’t overpower your plate.”  

“And don’t forget the Roses from the south of France,” he added. “The roses are particularly dry, but they have character. Most people think of rose as a summertime drink, but it’s really great at Thanksgiving, too.”     

At our house, we’ll go for both the chenin blancs, maybe a rose and a Riesling (Grandpa likes sweet).  

Sip this with dessert

Later in the day with dessert, Jones suggests a late harvest Riesling or Vidal or an Ice Wine. “For these, consider Fenn Valley, Chateau Grand Traverse, Black Star Farms, Leelanau Cellars, Sandhill Crane  or others.” (Read all about Michigan wines and where to find them at www.michiganwines.com.). 

"Your dessert wine needs to be sweeter than the dessert or it will clash," adds Chef Miller.

If you’re serving anything chocolate, consider a Cabernet Sauvignon, said the Clover Leaf’s Collins. “Or a California Shiraz would do well with chocolate, too.”

For those who don't do wine

Don't forget to grab a couple liters of pop and a gallon of milk, too, — there will most likely be a "cookies-and-milk" kind of guy at your table (it's Uncle Kenny, in our family), as well, kids are grateful that now and then the "pop ban" is lifted.

Day 4: gravy recipes.   

Places to shop for wine:

• , Macomb Township
• , Macomb Township
• , Macomb Township
• , Shelby Township
• , Shelby Township
• , Shelby Township
• Nino Salvaggio, Clinton Township
• , Clinton Township