Thursday October 4, 2012

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Wine for Thanksgiving

Wine writer, author, sommelier and judge, Natalie Maclean talks about wines to go with the festive table this weekend. Her latest book is called Unquenchable: A Tipsy Quest for the World's Best Bargain Wines. Click to see her list of great wines.

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More on these wines is available on Natalie Maclean's website

1. Mission Hill Family Estate Five Vineyards Pinot Blanc, Okanagan Valley, BC

Terrifically fresh and vibrant! Like a basket of white melons on a summer afternoon. Lovely as an aperitif or companion to many dishes. Pair with: roast turkey, grilled fish, fresh oysters, salads or creamy pasta dishes.

Drink: 2012-2014

Product: 300301

Price: $14.99

Score: 88/100

2. Mike Weir Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara, Ontario

Lovely refreshment with notes of white melon and lime. Lively, clean finish that makes for a great aperitif, especially as you are approaching the nineteenth tee. Pair with: Thanksgiving side dishes such as green beans, field greens salad, grilled freshwater fish and a hole in one.

Drink: 2012-2014

SKU: 737127

Price: $14.95

Score: 87/100

3. Sterling Chardonnay, Napa Valley, California

Gorgeous layers of green apple and peach wrapped in just the right amount of toasty oak. The winery ferments and ages this chardonnay in barrels. The result is classic Californian chardonnay that bottles west coast sunshine. It's a staggeringly great wine for feed of fresh sweet corn on the cob and boiled lobster dipped in butter or mashed potatoes.

Price: $21.95

Score: 91/100

Drink: 2012-2016

SKU: 330233

4. Burgans Martin Codax Albarino

Rias Baixas, Spain

Clean, crisp and refreshing with bright lime-lemon aromas and flavours. Great aperitif or food companion. Pair with fresh seafood, fall vegetables and long walks in crisp October evenings.

Drink: 2012-2014

Product No: 745825

Price: $17.95

Score: 88/100

5. Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate Proprietors' Grand Reserve Shiraz

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

One of Canada's benchmark wines. A deep core of hedonistic pleasure from the concentrated black plums and blackberries. It's wrapped in smoke, meaty notes, dark spices and intrigue.

Drink: 2011-2017

SKU: 33241

Price: $24.95

Score: 93/100

6. Beringer Zinfandel Founders' Estate, California

Full-bodied, smooth and delicious. Perfect for BBQ. Pair with: roast turkey, grilled gourmet sausages, spareribs and chicken with a tangy tomato sauce.

Drink: 2012-2015

SKU: #567453

Price: $11.99

Score: 91/100

7. Wolf Blass Merlot Yellow Label, Barossa Valley, Australia

A smooth and full-bodied red with wonderfully fleshy, savoury dark fruit flavours. Great for casual gatherings and dinner parties: a true bridging wine socially. Pair with grilled pork chops and meat lovers' pizza.

Drink: 2012-2015

SKU: 598102

Price: $16.55

Score: 88/100

8. Rosemount Estate Shiraz, Australia

Dark, smoky and delicious! Layers and layers of ripe fleshy dark plums wrapped in just enough toasty oak. Superb taste and quality for this price. Pair with: grilled pepper steaks, or hamburgers with all the fixins.

Drink: 2012-2015

SKU: 302349

Price: $15.95

Score: 89/100

9. Menage a Trois Red, California

Loaded with black fruit and dark chocolate aromas. Smooth and full-bodied with a lovely juiciness for many dishes. A blend of zinfandel, merlot and cabernet sauvignon grapes. Pair with: saucy pulled-pork sandwiches, braised short ribs and hamburgers with all the fixins.

Price: $16.99

Drink: 2012-2015

SKU: #719908

Score: 90/100

10. Persuasiom DragonBlend, California

This robust red is balanced, complex and rich. Pair with: prime rib, filet mignon, grilled pork chops, lamb with rosemary.

Drink: 2012-2017

SKU: 736211413314

Price: $40

Score: 93/100