French Wines for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving dinner features a rich variety of flavors, from roasted turkey to mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce, which makes wine pairing both exciting and challenging. French wines are often a great choice because of their range, complexity, and food-friendliness. We’re hoping you enjoy these excellent options for pairing French wines with Thanksgiving dinner.
Beaujolais is known to be a great Thanksgiving wine, so this month we bring you a gamay from Domaine de Lafayette, one of the many wineries that "Les Vins Georges Duboeuf" sources from. Georges Duboeuf (1933 – 2020), widely acclaimed as a wine trader and producer, was often referred to as the “Pope” or the “King” of Beaujolais. He hailed from a distinguished lineage of wine producers and established his operations in 1964 in Romanèche-Thorins, situated in the heart of the Moulin-à-Vent area. His descendants were destined to follow in his footsteps, and upholding this legacy involves a commitment to showcasing the skills of local vintners.
While Georges Duboeuf doesn't technically own multiple wineries, he is primarily associated with the "Les Vins Georges Duboeuf" label, which sources grapes from various wineries across the Beaujolais region in France including notable "Crus" like Brouilly, Fleurie, Moulin-à-Vent, and Saint-Amour. Deboeuf is effectively acting as a large-scale wine producer rather than operating individual wineries under his name. Les Vins Georges Duboeuf provides a diverse selection of all the Beaujolais and Mâconnais A.O.C. wines, which are highly regarded by critics. Currently, over 300 vintners supply the grapes to the house. Acting as a genuine representative of the region, it ships 75% of its output to almost 120 nations.
Over in the Loire Valley, third-generation winemaker Bernard Landron had been working with his brother Jo in the heart of the Muscadet Sèvre et Maine area before moving in 2002 to the lesser-known and therefore cheaper area of Ancenis (to the northeast of Nantes). Initially, his whole production was sold in bulk, but when eldest son Benoît returned in 2008 after earning his degree in viticulture and oenology, they started to bottle their own wine. They began conversion to organic farming in 2010 and now farm around 25 hectares, and they moved to a ‘new’ cellar in the town of Oudon for the 2017 harvest. They have a mix of varieties planted, including melon de bourgogne, folle blanche, pinot gris, gamay, cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon.
The climate of the Coteaux de la Loire is influenced by the Atlantic ocean and the Loire river. It is a mild climate, not too cold, not too warm and a little rainy - with hilly relief to the edge of the Loire. It allows for deep roots, so good ripeness. The moderate temperature in summer allows for freshness in the wine. The ocean winds follow the Loire and reduce the humidity in the air. They make wines with freshness and personality; expressing the diverse mix of soils that muscadet offers – roundness from gneiss, more minerality from schist.
Cheers,
Carrie Upson-GM and Wine Buyer
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Domaine de Lafayette Brouilly 2019 |
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Region / Country of Origin: A.O.C. Beaujolais, France |
About the winery: “Maison Georges Duboeuf reveals the talent of the wine growers and sublimates the great terroirs of the Beaujolais and Maconnais regions. More than 300 winemakers trust us to create wines from all the crus, from all the A.O.C.s of the Beaujolais and Maconnais regions, and from the Beaujolais Nouveaux – whose great celebrations in France and abroad have built their reputation. Today, we produce 12 million bottles per year, 75% of which is exported.” About the winemaking: The grapes come from a plot of 12.4 acres of traditional Gobelet-trellised south-facing vineyards with vines more than 50 years old. Harvesting of this wine is conducted manually, in whole bunches, and the grapes are de-stemmed before pressing. Semi-carbonic maceration and malolactic fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks. It then undergoes total malo-lactic fermentation. Tasting Notes: This 2019 offers a brilliant garnet color with aromas of cherry and stone fruits laced with floral notes. On the palate it is generous and round, silky tannins and a pleasant, fruity finish. It is an ideal combination of finesse, elegance and fruit. “Dried cranberry, watermelon, nutmeg and carnation. It’s medium-bodied with sleek tannins and fresh acidity. Tight and refined. Drink or hold.” 92 Points James Suckling |
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Vineyard Manager: Aurélien Duboeuf |
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Price: $23.99 btl/ $259.09 cs |
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Suggested Food Pairing: Beaujolais pairs well with many Thanksgiving dishes, including turkey, sides, appetizers, and more. It's light enough to pair with white meat, but strong enough to pair with stuffing and buttery vegetables. |
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Domaine Landron-Chartier Melon B. |
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Region / Country of Origin: AOC Muscadet, Coteaux De Loire, France |
About the Vineyards: The vineyards transitioned to organic farming in 2009. "Our job is to think about our daily lives and minimize our impact on the environment, we are part of a GREEN viticulture full of common sense." All of their treatments are natural in order to minimize the impact on biodiversity. They make supplements such as essential oils and different purines to spray on the vines with the goal of stimulating the plant without harming soil life. Throughout the year, they spray the vines gently in order to obtain healthy and balanced grapes.
About the winemaking: The harvest is done by hand with the help of around forty harvesters. The grapes for Melon B come from the microgranite terroirs of St-Géréon. Fermented with natural yeasts. Vinified and aged in concrete vats for a minimum of 6 months.
Tasting Notes: Fresh and zesty, with hints of stone fruits. Straight, mineral wine with a gently round mouth. This wine for friends has lovely floral and fruity aromas at the same time. We love its simplicity and its deliciousness. The freshness and minerality dance on the palate. A salivating wine that will pair perfectly with a lovely shellfish platter on a sunny day. |
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Winemaker: Benoit Landron |
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Price: $25.99 btl/ $280.69 cs |
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Suggested Food Pairing: Melon de Bourgogne is a crisp dry white with citrus characters and a distinctive briny minerality. Again, this wine carries enough acidity to act as a cleaner to the palate while pairing beautifully to the white meat and should you be serving oyster stuffing this wine is a must! |
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