Happy thanksgiving to all. Now I know that there are many wine connossuerueraers(whatever) on this board, so I am asking for your recommendations for a good red wine for thanksgiving. I am looking for something in the under $15 range. I am new to the wine game and just discovering what I like. So far I like almost all reds that I have tried, but have yet to find a white that I like. My favorite so far has been a Clos du Bois cabernet. I would love to hear all recommendations. Even a possible white wine for someone who only likes reds. Oh, by the way I once drank wine while TRAVELING for all you sticklers out there. Enjoy your feasts.

American wines for an American holiday.

New York Reislings are a nice choice as a white.
Oregon Pinot Noir is a perfect match for turkey.
Russian river valley (California) Pinot is also a good choice

Herman J. Weimer of NY makes a wonderful, dry white riesling that would go nice with the turkey.
Also, a nice California zinfadel is good. Of course, any California Cabernet from 1996, 1999 or 2001 is great!

Here's a thread on the "Other Topics" Forum that might interest you:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...4&tid=34415962

As for whites, I'm an ABC (Anything But Chardonnay). I think a nice, crisp Sauv Blanc would go well before dinner with all the appetizers, and Russian River Pinot for dinner (La Crema is very nice).

Happy wine drinking!!

I just went to a Beaujolais party on Thursday. The Domaine de la Madone (~$12?) was my favorite of the many I tried...I'm definitely going to buy some for Thanksgiving!

Beujolais Nouveaux is a good idea but remember, it has no shelf life.

I think your Clos du Bois cabernet is a little too big for turkey, gmoney. If you must have a red, either a nice pinot noir or (pardon me, cyberUK) french burgundy (bourgogne) would be a better pairing.

There are any number of white varietals that will work fine. A lot of stores trot out gewurztraminer as a great pairing with turkey. I don't get it; in my opinion it's a marketing ploy to sell wine they can't otherwise sell.

A St. Emilion would work, and possibly a Grave ... a St. Estephe ... a lighter red Bordeaux.

Avoid big cabs and pinots, as well as CA merlots, and wines of SW France.

A Rully or medium chard from Cote d'Or would be nice as well. Enjoy.

A nice rose goes well with the turkey & cranberry. I'm going to be drinking one from Schlossadler wines (distributed thru California) and maybe one from the Garretson winery in Paso Robles.

Pinot Noir is your best best for turkey. Chill it slightly before serving (15 minutes in the fridge should be fine).

For the price point you mentioned, Frei Brothers and Chateau St. Jean are pretty decent calls. I also agree with the thoughts about the Oregon Pinot.

If you are going to have anything else with the dinner, such as ham (like my family does), I also have a bottle of gewurztraminer handy.

Thanks to everyone for your opinions, it is hard for a newbie like me to pick a wine from the many different ones, so it is nice to get some recommendations. I think I will try the Pinot Noir suggestion. Hope everyone has a great thanksgiving.

If you do a pinot, your best bet is Russian River, CA, and pay at least $20 per bottle. Check the Wine Spectator ratings ... anything 88 or higher will do. And you do not chill pinots!!! Do not get an inexpensive pinot ... price is a decent determinant. Steele is decent. Select something in that category.

For the record, I am not the only one that thinks chilling a pinot makes sense:

http://www.valwine.com/page3.html

Different strokes for different folks.
Price is a subjective thing. I have had great wines under $10 and horrible wines over $20.

I have been to quite a few wineries and tastings, and they have said to bring the wine to about 60* for light reds, 65* for deep reds. In Fla, our room temps are much too high. 15 minutes should do the trick IMO. La Crema Pinot is one of the best, and I I bought some the other day for 13.99 FYI, Judy

Does this really have anything to do with Travel?? I don't think so, but I've just switched from beer to wine. What in the Sam H is Pinot Noir?? Do you chill it or drink it room temp? I am fond of Merlot so far....how does it compare to Pinot Noir. thanks.

Zinfandel, the red type not the white/blush (the only truly American wine) goes great with turkey especially with gravy. Pinot doesn't really stand up although its better than no wine at all.

For reds,have to go with a pinot noir or a zinfandel, on the white side, a Kabinett Riesling or a Pinot Gris. I liek to go with domestic wines with Thanksgiving since it is such an American holiday. A French Bordeaux might be good.

Go to your local wine store and ask for help, give them your parameters and describe what you and your guests like. Most wine shops enjoy helping you pick wine in your price. They understand the happier you are with their selections the more wine you will purchase from them.

Enjoy.

We started Thanksgiving early in our neighborhood. Just returned from our lunch-dinner gathering and "connossuerueraers" sounds about right!

I'd recommend Beringer's wines - if they have been aged at least a couple of years, especially the reds. Otherwise, don't bother. ( A friend of mine from the East Coast loves their White Zinfandel which is really inexpensive at about $4 a bottle - not my kinda of stuff, tho)

Returning home, I'm continuing my own celebrations and, at the moment, am sampling a Yellowtail (Australia) Cab. Really good, but probably a bit too heavy for turkey. Costs about $7 at Trader Joe's.

If you don't want to go with a straight white, try a rose, like the White Zinfandel or the really light roses from Portugal, like Mateus.

Here's to all you Fodorites! May you have a great Thanksgiving!

Our new favorite Pinot Noir is Parker Station 2001 , Morgan 2001, David Bruce and MacKenzie.
Happy Thanksgiving

I am either a wino or an oenophile, you decide. But I am also a vegetarian and am bringing some snappy side dishes to the fest. Don't assume all will be feasting on turkey and there should be an array of wines for all tastes.This is a great time to taste and sample and enjoy! Pinots from Alexander Valley are lovely. My favorites won't cost you too much, but many are unavailable due to small numbers of cases sold, limited distribution, etc. Chill and have available a Chardonnay, a Sauvignon Blanc and (choke)White Zin because that's what beginners enjoy.A nice Riesling works. Pinot is the best red choice for beginner red drinkers. However, Pinots can run from very light to quite lusty, God bless 'em. I prefer CA wines over NY. Our favorite mid-priced house big reds are Seven Deadly Zins, Liberty School Cab, Cigarzin, FF Coppola Diamond Series Merlot, and Ravenswood (Lodi) Old vine Zin. A good choice for beginners and for the price is Blackstone Merlot. Have a wonderful holiday!!!