Top 10 wines in the US press

Loredan Gasparini Casa Bianca Prosecco, Red Newt Riesling 2012 and Veni Vidi Vici Vini Pinot Noir 2010

In the Washington Post, Dave McIntyre put together “two flights of wines for your Thanksgiving consideration. Each flight consists of a sparkling wine, a white and a red. The difference is price.” This flight costs less than $40. He wrote of the Prosecco: “This cheerful bubbly from northern Italy says, ‘Relax; it’s going to be okay.’ And with a few sips, you might even believe it. Alcohol by volume: 12%. Alternative: Segura Viudas Cava.”

For the Red Newt Riesling, he added: “This introductory Riesling from a top producer is often called the Circle Riesling because of the large circle on the label. It displays the lively citrus character of many Rieslings from Seneca Lake, with a moderate level of sweetness that will pair well with the sweet flavours of a Thanksgiving dinner. ABV: 11%. Alternatives: Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling and Dry Riesling.”

And finally for the Veni Vidi Vici Vini McIntyre wrote: “Decent pinot noir is almost impossible to find at $10, but this little stunner from Bulgaria hits the mark. ABV: 13%. Alternatives: Mark West (California), Cono Sur (Chile).”

Knebel Mosel Riesling Trocken QBA 2012

In the New York Times, Eric Asimov led a tasting panel in selecting wines to enjoy with the Thanksgiving meal. The panel split its choices between the best reds and the best whites. The number one choice for white was this “2012 dry Mosel riesling from Knebel, an excellent producer. It was lively and tense, with just the sort of lip-smacking texture that makes you want to take another sip. Did it drink like a red? I don’t think so. It drank just like a delicious riesling.”

He added: “Energetic, refreshing and well textured, with pure, dry herbal and citrus flavours.”

Jean-Louis Dutraive Fleurie Clos de la Grand’Cour Vieilles Vignes 2010

This was Asimov’s number one choice for a Thanksgiving red wine, he wrote: “The reds were all winners, starting with our favourite, Julia’s 2010 Fleurie from Jean-Louis Dutraive, an excellent cru Beaujolais that hit all the right marks. It’s hard to go wrong with good Beaujolais, by which I generally mean from small family operations rather than mass-market production. The good ones are lively and refreshing, while the biggest brand names tend to be candied and cloying.”

He added: “Lively, bright and full of energy, with crunchy fruit flavours. Delicious now.”

2004 Roederer Estate L’Ermitage Brut Anderson Valley

In the San Francisco Chronicle, Jon Bonné recommended this sparkler, writing: “Not to overlook Roederer’s non-vintage efforts, but its latest L’Ermitage is gorgeous. About half each Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with a bit of reserve wine from 2000, it has that seamless quality that also marks Roederer’s best Champagnes. Fern, coriander seed and a mandarin orange freshness that matches the apple-skin texture and quince fruit. Its yeastiness is subtle and savory, like good rye bread. Should be even better in a year. Disgorged January 2013.”

Docil, Vinho Verde, Loureiro 2010

This wine was recommended by Rebecca Murphy in the Dallas Morning News. She wrote: “Vinho Verde is a wine region in northern Portugal that borders on Galicia in Spain. You have probably enjoyed the most available style of Vinho Verde, namely an inexpensive, refreshing, slightly bubbly, low-alcohol warm-weather wine. Dócil, from winemaker Dirk Niepoort, is an elegant example of the more serious wines being made in Vinho Verde. Lemon zest and flowers dominate the aromas and mingle in the mouth with flavors of green apples, grapefruit and hints of fresh herbs and dusty minerals. The fruit is enhanced by steely acidity. Enjoy it with quiveringly fresh oysters.”

2011 Manoir du Carra Julienas

In the Baltimore Sun, Michael Dresser wrote that, “some reds pair well with the Thanksgiving feast, others don’t. (Though I love Cabernet Sauvignon, I don’t see an affinity.)”

He added: “One of the best matches is a full-bodied, well-rounded Beaujolais from one of the top villages such as Julienas. This one is a beauty with its lush, penetrating flavors of black cherry, currants and blackberry and touch of earthiness. It’s a perfectly structured wine that’s at its peak. It’s imported by Kysela, one of the best. Serve with: Roast turkey, tuna steak.”

Artesa Pinot Noir 2012, Carneros

This wine was recommended by Dennis Sodomka in the Augusta Chronicle. He wrote: “This is a beautiful, lush wine, loaded with bright red fruit flavours, especially strawberry and cherry, with hints of caramel. The Artesa is medium bodied, with a long, smooth finish. Though it has a great deal of ripe fruit flavours, it is not a flabby wine. The pleasant acidity gives it a good backbone.”

Franciscan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2011

In the Detroit News, Sandra Silfven wrote that you should, “save this one for the serious wine enthusiasts at the holiday table. They’ll probably ask you for ‘more wine please,’ less turkey or less whatever you are serving.”

She added: “It’s a beauty, so intense, so packed with fruit, so lush. It oozes with French oak spice and toast that are seamlessly woven into the fruit. The fruit is lush blackberry, black currant, cherry, blackberry, ripe plum. It was aged 20 months in oak. It is blended with splashes of Merlot, Syrah and Malbec. Such a beauty for such a cool price. You won’t find many Napa Cabs under $30.”

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2013

This pick also came from Sandra Silfven, who wrote: “Here’s another beauty for serious wine enthusiasts: Kim Crawford’s new vintage of its famous Sauvignon Blanc — famous because it’s grown to be the choice of wine geeks. This one has that typical herbal, zesty, grapefruity, grassy, tart Marlborough character, but also harbours lovely honeyed, tropical tones in the midpalate. If you want to impress guests, wrap your hands around this bottle at Kroger, Meijer and independent wine shops.”

2011 Château Montelena Chardonnay

And finally this recommendation comes from Irene Virbila in the LA Times. She wrote: “This is an elegant Napa Valley Chardonnay from Château Montelena, very much still in the style that won the famous Paris Tasting of 1976 and launched California Chardonnay onto the world wine scene. Silky on the palate, the 2011 has aromas of pear, citrus and honeysuckle. A bright acidity and a discrete touch of oak gives the ripe fruit flavours a lift. A wine to savour.”

She added: “This would be a great bottle to take to a holiday dinner with people who would appreciate its finesse. It shows best with shellfish or fish in sauce — coquilles St. Jacques, lobster with drawn butter or Dungeness crab, but also a simple roast chicken.”