The Wine Rack & The Java Stop Café
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Easy Wine Tips for your Turkey Table


    The Wine Rack & The Java Stop 1212 Westwood Blvd. Poplar Bluff MO

Wine glasses With Thanksgiving fast approaching, we're often asked how to pair the cacophony of flavors on the turkey table with wine to please all. Though we're a believer in the "drink what you like & eat what you like" mantra, here are a few tips to make pairing magic this holiday. .
Look for wines with:

Restrained alcohol - Spicy sausage stuffing or sweet potatoes topped with brown sugar can make high alcohol wines taste out of balance.

Little to no oak character - Oak seems more pronounced when paired with sweet & spicy flavors. Steer clear of oaky Chardonnays, for example. .


Refreshing acidity - Wines with bright, vibrant flavors work across the board with savory gravy & tangy cranberry sauce.

Fruit-driven flavors or hint of sweetness -
Wines that pack a fruit punch or even a dash of sweetness are ideal for balancing the salty flavors on the table while echoing some of sweeter dishes.

Light tannins - Reds with strong tannins (think Cabernet Sauvignon) can appear grittier with sweet & spicy fare. Wines that have light, smooth tannins will dance with these flavors as opposed to wrestling with them.

Recommended wine types:

White: Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Viognier

Reds: Pinot Noir, Gamay (Beaujolais), Cabernet Franc, lower-alcohol Zinfandel & elegant styles of Syrah/Shiraz

Rosé: All types from slightly sweet blush styles to dry versions

Bubbly: All types of sparkling wine work beautifully due to their refreshing qualities, but Rosé sparkler is a top choice

Wines to try:

Thanksgiving is the ultimate American holiday, so this year drink domestic. The wines below have large national distribution, but all 50 states now produce wine. Take a look around our racks to see what American wines you can discover but never feel constricted when you have a favorite in mind for your celebration!

  • 2007 Chateau Ste. Michelle Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley, Washington $14.99   Light & spicy, with fresh orange peel & clove flavors that linger nicely. Rated 85 by The Wine Spectator.
  • 2006 Chateau Ste. Michelle-Dr. Loosen Eroica Riesling, Columbia Valley, Washington $29.99  Light, bright, tangy & appealing for its delicate green apple, peach, floral & lime flavors, lingering nicely & hinting at mineral on the polished finish. Rated 90 by The Wine Spectator!
  • 2005 Trimbach Riesling, Alsace, France $24.99 An off-dry, aromatic white that is sure to please. Serve well-chilled. 
  • Sokol Blosser “Evolution” American White Wine $21.99 From one of Oregon’s top producers comes the 12th edition of this eclectic, lightly-sweet white blend. Rated 86 by The Wine Spectator.
  • 2006 Bridlewood Viognier, Central Coast, California $24.99
    Fleshy & full yet still sporting a crisp character, this off dry white is a knockout for Thanksgiving. 
  • 2006 Durso Hills Vivant, Missouri $14.99 An off-dry, crisp & refreshing white with fruit character certain to compliment traditional Turkey sides.

2007 Red Car Box Car Rosé, California $16.99
Crisp, poised & evenly structured, this rosé imbues notes of raspberry, peach, Nile lily & white chocolate. Serve chilled. 

NV Korbel Brut Rosé California $16.99 Peppery black cherry & wild berry aromas are lean & firm on the palate, giving it a crisp, refreshing mouthfeel.

2006 Parducci Pinot Noir, California $16.99
Compact & direct, with fragrant wild berry & cola flavors.

2007 Loring LWC Pinot Noir, Willamette, Oregon  $26.99  Pinots of this region vary from light to full-bodied with pronounced earthiness. This wine is a glorious example of the mid-range with light tannins, bright cherry flavors, an even-handed smokiness providing a complex finish to compliment roasted Turkey & Pork. Rated 86 by Robert Parker, Jr.

2007 Coppola Diamond Series Pinot Noir, California $20.99 Light & juicy cranberry & cherry flavors with notes of sassafras & cola on the finish.

2005 Bennett Lane Maximus 'Red Feasting Wine' Napa Valley, California $43.99 Firm, rich & intense with ripe, vivid blackberry & wild berry fruit, a mix of currant & raspberry allowing for tight focus on the long, layered finish. A graceful & gratifying blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot & Cabernet Franc. Rated 90 by The Wine Spectator.

2005 Le Salette Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy $14.99 An easygoing, accessible wine with perfumed berries, light tannins & gentle flavors ready to partner with a root vegetable.


Have you tried Moscatel or Port Wines? When dinner is over, treat yourself to a dessert wine. 

Delaforce Tawny 10 year old His Eminence Choice, Portugal ($25) A very aromatic, enticing wine with rich toffee & caramel aromas & a fruity undertone reminicent of your favorite fruitcake that is absolutely divine with a rich cup of coffee!

2005 Ordoñez Moscatel Málaga, Spain ($25.99)  Alluring aromas of orange blossom & jasmine that give way to orange peel, green almond & flint notes in a rich, expressive yet dry white wine that is a lovely aperitif or dinner finisher! Available in a split or by the glass.

Finally, our last important piece of advice: At all times, keep a bottle of bubbly in the refrigerator. Argyle Brut 2002 (Oregon) ($35.99) or Domaine Ste. Michelle NV Blanc de Blancs (Washington) ($15.99). A somewhat rare but sweeter rendition of Champagne made by Piper-Heidsieck Cuvée Sublime (France) for around $50 per bottle.