Thanksgiving is Coming

Editor's Note: This will be our last post until the Monday of The Game. Tomorrow, as you know, is Spring Break for fat adults and Friday is our annual luncheon with The Pope, Legend and Doc at the Old Green Lady. Hopefully they won't kick us out, or worse, seat us upstairs for being such good reporters a few months ago. Have a great Turkey Day.

Booze

Listen, maybe your family gets along without it. If so, congrats. For the rest of us, while you may not need it to tolerate Uncle Harry's stories, it certainly helps. Plus the goal of Thanksgiving is to do things you normally wouldn't do on a Thursday. You get to sleep in late. There is football on TV during the day. You get to eat a huge lunch replete with wine (OK, this is normal for some of us). And then if things go according to plan, you get to fall asleep in a Barcalounger.

Cocktails

It looks like it will be chilly on Thursday, so why not begin the day with an Old Fashioned. The night before I want you to make a simple syrup: 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water; dissolve over heat or vigorous shaking. Into glass, ice, three fingers of bourbon or rye whiskey, a finger of syrup, a few dashes of Peychaud's bitters, an orange slice, a few cherries, and a splash of club soda. Stir and enjoy. Of course, you could always make a pitcher of Satsuma Wrestlers or Mimosas, using the juice of as many satsumas as you can find and a bottle of bubbly.

Beer and Wine

Beer is often overlooked at Thanksgiving, but it fits in just as well as water. For the darker side, I would focus on a nutty ale such as Lazy Magnolia's Southern Pecan or a more basic Newcastle. Too bad NOLA Brown isn't available outside of a keg yet. A Guinness would also go very well with all the hearty food of Thanksgiving. Of course there is no shame in knocking back a few ice cold Miller High Lifes. Shoot, it's just as healthy as water.

Let's get this out the way. There is no "perfect" wine for Thanksgiving. I would even further this by saying there is no perfect wine for any food. On Thanksgiving drink, whatever you like. White burgundy and cranberry, why not? Cabernet and sweet potatoes, sure. It does not matter. But regardless here are a few selections from me.

On the white side of the table, stick to something basic that can be drank cold. A fume blanc, pinot gris, or pinot grigio would work. I also think a riesling or well-honeyed viognier would work, calling to mind those holidays when you drank your body weight in Coca Cola.

Moving to the red, red wine.... Robert Mondavi makes several enjoyable and affordable wines. Their Private Selection (formerly the Coastal Selection) Pinot Noir would mingle with all of the flavors of Thanksgiving without overwhelming your palate. Plus at around $15 a bottle, there will be no regret in opening one more bottle as the last guest leaves.

The fizzy wines are also perfect on Thanksgiving. Cavas, Champagnes, and Sparkling Wines will lend a festive tone for sure, but they also serve an essential function: they clear your palate. The bubbles and acidity will scrub your tongue so you can have another bite of dressing.

In line with fizzy drinks, recently I had an opportunity to taste some alcoholic, sparkling apple cider, and I couldn't help think, this drink would be perfect with Thanksgiving. Low alcohol makes it easy to drink (and drink and drink). The apples lend a flavor of fall and a touch of sweetness to a well-rounded beverage. There are some good brands out there, seek out a bottle from Stein's Deli today.

Finally for wine, you may want to have one nice bottle. After the dishes have been washed and the Turkey carcass is on the stove transforming into stock, when there are just the few guests left that you really like, open a really nice bottle of wine. I will let you decide which one. Sit back, put your feet up, start a fire if you can, put the game on mute, turn on some music, chat, and enjoy the evening.

Better rest up now, 'cause Christmas is coming.