November 14, 2018

When we asked our Tastemaster, Lisa Ali, for some Thanksgiving wine recommendations, she’d clearly been thinking about it — there was no hesitation at all. “For tradition and holiday excitement, I’d choose the 2018 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau to pair with Thanksgiving dinner.”

Beaujolais Nouveau is something many wine enthusiasts look forward to all year. Traditionally, it releases on November 15th, when it’s just weeks old — because, like Thanksgiving, it’s a harvest celebration. “That gives it a fresh, fruity vibrance that’s great with poultry,” Lisa says. “And it’s one of the least tannic wines around, so it has a broad appeal.”

Lisa recommends serving Beaujolais Nouveau lightly chilled — think 15 minutes in the fridge — to bring out all its bold berries. And take a bottle with you when you go visiting this holiday. The Georges Duboeuf winery holds a very popular annual label art contest for its Beaujolais Nouveau..This year the winner has created a joyful abstract in vivid pinks and purples — it will make a very pretty host gift.

Of course, Lisa’s also got a white wine up her sleeve: Sonoma Coast Chardonnay from Sonoma-Cutrer It offers Honeycrisp apple aromas and flavors of roasted nuts, oak spice, and a hint of citrus blossom. “It will definitely please the white-wine drinkers, like myself,” she says. “And it has a bright acidity and a nice balance that will hold true to a hearty Thanksgiving turkey — and all the fixings.”