We are pleased to announce our annual Big, Free, Thanksgiving Wine Tasting which will take place on Saturday, November 12th, 2016 from 2-5 p.m. Sample 12 different turkey, ham, and family friendly wines under one roof and stock up for the most important culinary holiday of the year. This guarantees to be one of Asheville’s best free wine tastings of the year and you’re all invited!
Thanksgiving only comes once a year, and it’s one of those holidays where good wine is required. Whether you need special wines for that delicious meal or simple, value priced wines to keep the family happy and peaceful, we’ve got you covered. Aldo Morales and Sara Helmkamp of Advintage Distributing will join us to pour 12 classic Thanksgiving wines from their extensive portfolio, and the tasting is free to the public. From festive sparkling wines and complex whites to regal and ravishing reds, we’ll have something for everyone.
The wines will range in price from $10 to $50 — regardless of your beverage budget, we’ll get you taken care of! Even better, all of the tasting wines will be on sale at 10% off by the bottle, 15% off if you mix any six of them, and 20% off if you mix any 12 or more of them. It’s the perfect time to taste, learn and save on wines that are guaranteed to make this Thanksgiving the best ever.
The Wines
Save big on all of the tasting wines! Mix any 3 of them and save 10%, mix any 6 and save 15%, or mix any 12 and save 20%!
1. 2013 Raventos I Blanc de Nit Brut Sparkling Wine (Penedes, Spain)
This is the winery Josh visited on his trip to Spain in August. From one of Spain’s first families of sparkling wines, this light, but highly flavorful rosé is ideal for sipping before, during, and/or after the meal.
2. 2014 Isle Saint-Pierre Blanc (Rhone Valley, France)
Round, refreshing, beautifully aromatic blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat. Peach, citrus, flowers and crisp acidity make this perfect for the Thanksgiving meal.
3. 2013 Elyse L’Ingenue White “Naggiar Vineyard” (Sierra Foothills, California)
Full bodied blend of Roussanne, Marsanne, Viognier and Grenache Blanc — lush, exotic, aromatic and full flavored. Delicious!
4. 2014 Poppy Chardonnay (Santa Lucia Highlands, California)
Classy and classic California Chardonnay from the hills just outside of Monterey. Barrel fermented, rich, creamy and stylish.
5. 2015 Montinore Borealis (Willamette Valley, Oregon)
Almost dry and oh-so-delicious blend of Gewurztraminer, Muller Thurgau, Riesling and Riesling. In our opinions, this is one of the all-time great domestic white wines to pair with classic holiday meal.
6. 2015 Isle Saint-Pierre Rouge (Rhone Valley, France)
Obscure, but delicious and juicy blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Arinarnoa, and Petit Verdot from an island in the middle of the Rhone River. Medium bodied, fresh, spicy and low tannin red that is great with or without food.
7. 2014 Bench Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast, California)
When we poured this one 3 years ago at this same tasting, it was the best selling wine of the day. We predict that could happen again! Complex, with notes of ripe red cherry, spice, and complex earth and spice notes, this is a Thanksgiving classic.
8. 2013 Drew “Gatekeeper’s” Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley, California)
This one is even more complex than the Bench and from one of the top producers in the Anderson Valley, in Mendocino County. Subtle, refined, and one of the best reds of the tasting!
9. Sherman & Hooker’s Shebang Red Blend (Various Regions, California)
Don’t let the name fool you into thinking this is some boring old red blend. Far from it, this combination of mainly Zinfandel with about 10 other grapes is one of our favorite new finds of the holiday season.
10. 2013 Zorzal Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina)
Tasting more like a Malbec from France’s Loire Valley than one from Mendoza, this is juicy, silky and way too easy to drink!
11. 2015 Bila-Haut Cotes du Roussillon Rouge (Languedoc/Roussillon, France)
From the Chapoutier family’s outpost in the Roussillon, this blend of Syrah, Grenach and Carignan is perfect for those who like fuller flavored reds for their meals.
12. 2014 Bedrock Zinfandel “Old Vines” (Various Regions, California)
We love dry Red Zins with our holiday meals and this one from Morgan Twain-Peterson is one of the best we’ve tried all year. Rich, full bodied, spicy and a perfect way to end the tasting.