Top Wines for Thanksgiving

Holidays can be really stressful, but Chris Denis from wants to relieve some of it by sharing with Patch his top five choices for Thanksgiving wines.

1. Beaujolais Nouveau 2011: Beaujolais has come to be known as the holiday wine since it arrives from France on the third Thursday in November, just in time for the holiday trifecta—Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years' Eve. Denis describes this wine as "fun, bright and festive," adding that it is "rich, fruity and perfectly balanced." Originally made to celebrate the end of harvest, Beaujolais Nouveau is the perfect light accompaniment to a heavy turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potato meal. $10.99/bottle

2. Schmitt Sohne Riesling: Denis describes this wine as "a medium bodied white that is well-balanced and easy to drink." This Riesling has peach and apple aromas, a firm and fruity palate, and crisp acidity that makes it a great accompaniment to foods ranging from pork and ham to fish and poultry. It can also be an excellent choice for a dessert wine. $10.99/bottle 

3. Santa Rita 120 Chardonnay: Denis said that this Chardonnay is "crisp and fresh" with the aromas and flavors of tropical fruit and green apple with an "alluring hint of zest orange peel." Wine reviews have noted that Santa Rita 120 Chardonnay is a great wine for its price point. $8.99/bottle

4. Belleruche Cotes-Du-Rhone: This "fresh and well-balanced" wine has aromas of green apple and citrus. Denis recommends this French white as a great accompaniment to a heavy turkey dinner. "Light and crisp" this wine will leave you room for dessert. $13.99/bottle 

5. Clos De La Lysardiere: If your Thanksgiving includes lasagna or pasta, this is the wine of choice. Denis describes it as carrying the flavors of "cherry, currant and smoky tobacco." A medium bodied red Denis calls "soft and elegant," this wine is strong enough to hold up to any menu, but not so heavy that it will overpower the meal. $18.99/bottle 

All of these wines can be found at Wine & Roses. If you are too busy cooking, remember that they deliver to just about any town in Bergen County. Denis is also running a holiday special—15% off three bottles or more of wine.