Airlie Winery Offers a Great Line-Up for Thanksgiving Dinner

Last week, my weekly column on Eugene Daily News, Wine Down Eugene, focused on a gem of a winery located in Oregon’s Willamette Valley – Airlie Winery. Operated by three women, Mary Olson (owner), Elizabeth Clark (winemaker) and Sue Shay (Marketing and Sales Director), Airlie is a boutique winery with thirty acres of grapes tucked into the Coastal Mountain Range at the west end of the Willamette Valley. Within those thirty acres, eight varietals are planted: Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, Müller Thurgau, Gewürztraminer, Maréchal Foch, and Muscat Ottonel. (Read more about Airlie Winery here.)

Meeting the lovely Sue Shay brought on a half case of incredible wines that are simply perfect for Thanksgiving dinner.  Before meeting Sue, I had only tried Airlie’s Pinot Gris on one occasion, and it was several years ago.  I was thrilled to be able to not only sample an excellent newer vintage Pinot Gris, but a Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Maréchal Foch, Pinot Noir and an incredibly delicious white blend of seven varietals, appropriately named 7.

When serving wine at Thanksgiving dinner, I have (for many years) offered my guests three different types of wine that typically pair extremely well with a traditional Thanksgiving menu: Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer (dry) and Riesling (both semi- sweet and dry). Pinot Noir pairs excellently with turkey, stuffing and green bean casserole while Riesling and Gewurztraminer are perfect matches to cranberries, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, Waldorf salad and even pumpkin pie.  I always make a cheese fondue for an appetizer, and I use dry Gewürztraminer as an ingredient in the fondue – the fondue then pairs perfectly with a glass of the Gewürztraminer.

After tasting the six wines from Airlie that Sue had graciously provided, I not only unveiled three excellent wines that I typically serve during the big feast (Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer and Riesling), but I also discovered a beauty of a Maréchal Foch, a luscious Pinot Gris and a crisp, refreshing white blend, 7 – all of which will be great additions to a Thanksgiving feast.  And these Oregon gems won’t break the bank.

Airlie Pinot Gris 2010 ($15): Notes of fresh, crisp apple and pear along with hints of sweet Meyer lemon create a beautifully balanced, juicy and refreshing Pinot Gris – an excellent representation of Oregon Pinot Gris.  If any kind of salad is on the Thanksgiving menu, this will be a stellar pairing. It’ll also be nice with warm, buttery mashed potatoes.

Airlie Dry Gewürztraminer 2012 ($15):  Alluring tropical aromas of pineapple and tangerine flow through to the palate with fresh acidity – giving it spectacular balance.  A hint of fall spice and lemon on the finish adds a refreshing depth of character.  Along with Brandborg Winery’s Gewürztraminer, this is one of the best I’ve had in Oregon.  Pairs well with mashed potatoes, cranberries, salads and cheeses.

Airlie Riesling 2011 ($15):  Pears, nectarines, honey and spice in both aromas and flavors flow in juicy waves from the front of the palate towards the back, ending with a pleasant lemony-ginger flavor.  This would be great alongside a slice of pumpkin pie, but its so versatile it would also pair well with any type of salad, especially a Waldorf salad.

Airlie 7 2011 ($14):  The seven grapes blended to produce this white wine (in order of most to least) are Müller Thurgau, Pinot Gris, Viognier, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc.  The aromas and flavors immediately reminded me of my days in the Florida Keys – juicy tropical pineapple, grapefruit and key lime are highlighted by a tiny touch of jasmine.  Subtle acidity balances out the fruitiness and leaves the palate refreshed and wanting more.  Anything and everything Thanksgiving will pair well with 7.

Airlie Pinot Noir 2009 ($22): Bright cherries, cranberries, cinnamon and fall spices are what this Pinot is all about.  It’s low in tannins and has a bright acidity that makes it super food-friendly – like so many of Oregon’s Pinot Noirs.  This will pair perfectly with turkey, stuffing and green bean casserole.

Airlie Maréchal Foch 2009 ($18):  The dark berry fruit characteristics and light to medium structure sort of reminded me of Pinot Noir, less the mushroomy, earthy qualities that many Pinot have – making it a good wine to pair with loads of foods and an easy drinking red wine for those who think reds are too big and bold.  The tannins are mellow and acidity is just right to round out the dark berry notes.  Pair this with turkey and gravy, green bean casserole and  roasted sweet potatoes.

Airlie also produces a sparkling wine, and although I didn’t get a chance to try it, sparkling wine is another type of wine I always have on hand come Thanksgiving day – and it pairs with just about everything.  Cheers –