It happens at EVERY event at which I speak.  My host takes the stage and launches into my introduction.  “Dave Mitchell is President of the Leadership Difference…former television reporter…vice president of human resources and quality…adjunct professor at the University of Illinois…speaker of the year…award winning author…”  The crowd nearly breaks into a yawn.  Then comes the haymaker.  “Dave is a certified advanced wine sommelier.”  Suddenly, the crowd collectively whip their faces towards me and utter a sound that is remarkably similar to Scooby Doo’s “huh.” 

No doubt, wine is an interesting topic, and many times I have found myself signing my book on applied cognitive psychology while answering a question about my favorite Cabernet Sauvignon.  I get it, completely.  My lovely bride and I moved to the Washington wine country just outside Walla Walla so we could experience a culture dominated by that intoxicating concoction.  We even bought a small ownership stake in a new winery (you can expect more on that little endeavor in the future).

So, rather than explain why it is that so many of the visitors gathered around your Thanksgiving table bicker, fight, and generally irritate the bejesus out of each other, I think I will just recommend five great wines from my new neighborhood.  There is something here for every palate to pair with your holiday fare, and while they may not increase the communication effectiveness around your Thanksgiving dinner table, I guarantee that you will care less after a glass or two.

Poet’s Leap Riesling Columbia Valley 2014 — $20

Riesling is my favorite pairing with traditional Thanksgiving food.  The beauty of the ever so slight sweetness and ample acidity is that it covers for an overcooked bird.  Think of it as a delightful insurance policy in a bottle.  There is peach and pear in the flavors that mix beautifully with floral and mineral notes.  This wine is brought to you by the brain trust that formed Long Shadows Winery, less than five minutes from our ranch.

Cadaretta Sauvignon Blanc – Semillon Columbia Valley SBS 2013 — $23

I love the old world blending of Sauvignon Blanc with Semillon (White Bordeaux) to create a crisp, yet lush wine.  There is no oak here to interfere with the expression of citrus, pineapple, and a touch of grassiness.  One of the many things to love about Walla Walla is that there are over 100 wineries concentrated in and around the area, several of them right downtown.  Cadaretta is a short walk from where I get my hair cut, and I often find myself with time to kill before and after a trim (coincidentally, of course).

Foundry Vineyards Stainless Steel Chardonnay Columbia Gorge 2013 — $28

Chardonnay is a popular Thanksgiving pour, which makes sense given it generally pairs well with turkey.  Honestly, I think the versions that have been in contact with oak can overpower the flavor profiles of the classic dishes.  So, I opt for a unoaked Chardonnay.  This one from Foundry Vineyards fits the bill perfectly.  Add in the fact that this is the only wine I have ever tasted that contains Maria Gomes.  That’s a grape, not a person.  It is just a small amount to add acidity, making this a tremendous food wine.  When you come to Walla Walla, be sure to stop by the Foundry Vineyards tasting room to sample the wine while marveling over the featured artist’s work and the unusual sculptures in their courtyard.

Lagana 2013 Breezy Slope Pinot Noir — $35

Pinot Noir is my favorite red wine pairing for Thanksgiving, and I was delighted to learn that Walla Walla has one.  The hot, sunny growing season is not conducive to making Pinot Noir, but Jason Fox found the perfect vineyard in the mountains just outside of town.  His efforts have produced an amazing wine that has the silky mouthfeel of the varietal and more than a little cranberry and cherry to compliment some earthy elements.  As a lover of all things Pinot Noir, I was blown away by this wine.  His Rousanne is another great Holiday wine, too.  Bonus: Jason just opened a tasting room near the post office, and I now find myself checking the mail more often.

Saviah Syrah Walla Walla Valley 2012 — $38

For the BIG red wine drinkers, here is your Thanksgiving wine.  When my lovely bride and I ventured out to the south side of town, we wandered into Saviah Cellars, unaware of the wine wonderment we were about to experience.  You know that moment when you sip a glass of wine and turn to each other with a look that says, “Sweet mother of GOD, what is this luscious nectar?”  Well, that is exactly what happened when we tasted the Saviah Syrah.  We immediately bought a magnum to serve at our next dinner party.  Is it a perfect pairing for classic Thanksgiving fare?  Who cares?  It’s that good.  Oh, and so are their tasting room associates. They’re just as charming as the wines.