Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and for many of us this presents an opportunity to gather with the most important people in our lives to share stories and laughs over food and drink. For some, the question of which wines to serve their guests or to bring their host can be a source of intimidation and anxiety, but we don’t think there’s any need to fuss over specific food and wine pairings – the guiding principle when selecting the wines to accompany the meal should be versatility. In most cases, you’ll want a selection of wines that pair across a spectrum of dishes; at a minimum, you’ll need a red and a white, but we think it’s also nice to offer a rosé and sparkling.
We are proud to highlight a selection of versatile and energetic wines that can tie together all the dishes on your Thanksgiving table. For those of you interested in a sparkling option, the 2020 Château de Rouanne Brut Nature Rosé is nimble and refreshing, and is a great choice to serve even before the meal begins. If you agree that an option for a rosé is a good idea, the 2021 Roccafiore Rosato is a fresh and vibrant choice, displaying a bouquet of spicy florals, wild herbs and stone fruit. The 2020 McManis Viognier from the River Junction AVA is always a crowd-pleaser, offering a generous mouthfeel and notes of Bartlett pear and ripe apricot. And the 2020 Château de Fleurie (from the cru referred to as the “Queen” of Beaujolais) is Gamay at its best, exhibiting complex aromatics with spice-accented red and dark fruit on the palate.
2020 Château de Rouanne Brut Nature Rosé, Comté de Grignon
Retail: $44.95 / btl
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2020 McManis Viognier, Lodi
Retail: $21.95 / btl
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2021 Roccafiore Rosato, Umbria
Retail: $23.95 / btl
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2020 Château de Fleurie, Beaujolais
Retail: $39.95 / btl (6 btl/cs)
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The Wines
2020 Château de Rouanne Brut Nature Rosé, Comté de Grignon
The vineyard of Château de Rouanne is a unique one-block monopole, planted entirely with 50+ year old vines, which are a selection massale of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. The wine displays bright, invigorating notes of wild strawberry, pear, thyme, white flowers and flinty minerality.
2020 McManis Viognier, Lodi
90 points – Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast, November 2021
“Rich and aromatic, this full-bodied, luxurious and ripe-tasting wine pours out coconut, fig, vanilla and honeysuckle flavors that coat the palate and linger on the finish.”
2021 Roccafiore Rosato, Umbria
Pale pink with coppery shades. Fine and elegant aromas with delicate flavours of raspberry and pomegranate. Fresh and savoury, with great tension and an intriguing mineral note.
2020 Château de Fleurie, Beaujolais
92 points – Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, April 2022
*Editor’s Choice* “The 60-acre estate covers two top sectors of Fleurie, La Madone and Le Point du Jour. This wine is perfumed, structured with plenty of firm tannins and ripe with black fruits.”
About Château de Rouanne
Château de Rouanne is the 3rd estate in The Vine portfolio owned by Louis Barruol (see also Château de Saint Cosme in Gigondas and Forge Estate in New York’s Finger Lakes – obviously we hold this winegrower in exceptionally high esteem). Located in the relatively ‘unknown’ appellation of Vinsobres, which was elevated to its own AOC in 2006, this is an historic estate. A medieval castle, originally from the 12th century, was established on a 2000-year old Gallo-Roman villa on this site. Destroyed during the French Revolution, the castle was rebuilt in 1820.
About McManis Family Vineyards
The McManis family has been farming California’s northern interior since 1938. However, it wasn’t until 1990 when 4th generation farmers, Ron & Jamie, created the now eponymous McManis Family Vineyards Company. Prior to this, the family had been growing grapes for many other wineries in the area. Today, the winery has grown, with the majority of the vineyards located in Clarksburg, Lodi, Jahant-Lodi, River Junction (they are the only vineyard owner in this AVA), Mokelumne River and Clements Hills AVAs. Today, 5th generation, daughter, Tanya, and son, Justin have joined their parents in the business along with son-in-law, Dirk who looks after the vineyards.
The wines, winery and vineyards are Certified Sustainable under the Lodi Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing, among the most stringent certification bodies in the state and indeed the world. This is a real source of pride for the family and a commitment they do not take lightly.
www.mcmanisfamilyvineyards.com
About Roccafiore
Located near the medieval hilltop town of Todi (in the very middle of Italy – halfway between Florence and Rome, and smack-dab between both coasts), Roccafiore was founded in 2000 by Leonardo Baccarelli as an organic farm, restaurant & inn. In the rolling hills surrounding Todi, it’s an innovative project. The pioneering 15 hectare vineyard is planted to Grechetto di Todi, Trebbiano Spoletino, Sangiovese, Montepulciano & Sagrantino. But that’s not all; the 90 ha estate is also home to a drift (herd) of Cinta Sinese pigs (for salumi & prosciutto), as well as organic olives, grains and vegetables that supply the on-site restaurant. A solar installation supplies the electricity needs of the entire estate, including the winery and boutique hotel. Even the tractors run on biodiesel.
About Château de Fleurie
Built in the 18th century, the Château de Fleurie dominates a beautiful vineyard situated in the heart of the village itself, with views of Mont Blanc in the east. The current owners- the Boisen and the Barbet families- are direct descendants of the original owner. The property covers 4.5 hectares stretching over the best sites in Fleurie- les Grands Fers, la Madone and le Point du Jour- on the middle slopes facing southeast. The soil is of a very pure granite, ideal for a good drainage, with a pink color called “le gore”. Farming is very traditional and free of pesticides and herbicides. The winemaking process is traditional “Burgundian” method with extended fermentation of 12-15 days, in vats covered by a weighted grill, to extract color and flavor. Under the winery a vaulted cellar holds an impressive store of old, traditional large oak barrels which are still in use. Fleurie is locally known as the “Queen of the Beaujolais” for its elegant style of Gamay.
