Restoring the holiday glow at Thanksgiving

Why wait until the end of the year to print champagne to celebrate? The most important holiday of the year deserves a celebration, especially after the first Thanksgiving under the banner of the coronavirus pandemic. And what better way to celebrate these times than with a bottle of sparkling wine? Many people put off celebrating until the end of the year to print out the fizz, but sparkling wine on a Day of Plenty can be a great start to mouthwatering appetizers, carry through the entire meal and accompany desserts.

"Personally, I like to set the holiday spirit with bubbly wine for the Thanksgiving holiday," says Remy Cohen, general manager of Domaine Carneros Estate in Napa, a well-known winery of the past. "It's great''s combination with a variety of foods, making it a great addition to the Thanksgiving holiday table, which typically features not only turkey but also a variety of side dishes." Cohen suggests starting the meal with classic combinations such as caviar (she favors Tsar Nicoulai, sustainably sourced in California) or oysters, and keeping a glass by her side throughout the meal. "The bright acidity and citrus notes of the bubbly wine perfectly accentuate the richness of the turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes and casseroles," she added, "don't forget the pie." Cheers!

To help you relax, here are some American champagne variations that are perfect for America's favorite holiday''its with Tsar Nicoulai caviar or oysters before a meal, as Cohen suggests, or with the crispiest part of the bird. Or just enjoy it alone, because it can stand on its own.

Domaine Chandon: Another winery in California inspired by French Champagne offers two bottles that should be on your list: the 50-year-old Winemaker'\''s Blend, a collaboration of cuvées from previous and current winemakers. Made from grapes grown on three unique estate plots in Carneros, Yountville and Mount Veeder, representing three distinct terroirs, this wine has all the hallmarks of the traditional production method: stable bubbles, creamy texture, hints of tart, notes of honeyed caramelized lemon, baked apple and''pear compote. Pairs well with sweet potatoes. Etoile Brut is made from three traditional Champagne grape varieties, aged for at least five years before release. The yeast profile is deeper and so are the fruits: baked Asian pears, golden apples, Meyer lemon compote. There's an interplay of bright ginger and spice here, combined with a warm, nutty skin. It could go with caviar or oysters, but it's also great with the juiciest, sweetest parts of the turkey and perfect with my mother's cranberry sauce.

Frank Family Vineyards: With more than five years on the lees, this Blanc de Blancs from Napa relies on grapes grown exclusively in Lewis vineyards in the region's cool climate''Carneros. So it has a fuller style with the expected yeast notes, but still light and fresh with memorable flavors of green apple, unripe pear and citrusy lemon. Beautiful bubbles complete this sophisticated look. FFV's Brut Rosa has the charm you'd expect from a rosé Champagne - sweet red berries, red flowers and creaminess.

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Although it spent four years on the lees, it is very fruity and fresh. It's a medium-bodied wine that would be a nice "plus" at the table for a table setting, suitable for both turkey and sweet side dishes.

Gloria Ferrer: Deviating from the trend away from French Californian Champagne, Jose and Gloria Ferrer hail from Barcelona and were the first to establish Carneros as the place''Champagne wine production. The adequately priced NV Sonoma Brut has a base of Pinot Noir infused with pear, apple and white floral notes, with a distinctive almond aftertaste. A versatile wine that is suitable from toast to table. The winery's Tête de Cuvée is a complex and bolder wine, aged up to 9 years (depending on the vintage), with a stronger Pinot Noir note and deeper tart and fruit nuances - for example, red apple instead of green, cherry instead of bright red, sweet Meyer lemon instead of the usual lemon. It harmonizes perfectly with roast poultry, but can also be enjoyed after a meal with sweet pumpkin pie and, if you're serving it, with a cheese plate.

Joseph Phelps: In the Third Vintage'''Ovation'' is the latest offering from this prestigious Napa producer, made in the traditional method and based on 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir. The grapes for this wine are harvested from Freestone Vineyard on the Sonoma Coast. On the nose: sliced green apple and pear, citrus zest, stone fruits and baked butter pie - some marzipan. Then on the palate, a creamier expression of white peach and raspberry, and a bit of salty character thanks to the coastal influence. A dry, full-bodied medium-bodied style with just enough acidity to define the wine's character but not slip into asceticism.

Roederer Estate: "L'\''Ermitage'' Brut Rose is produced at the French branch in Anderson Valley. This effervescent wine is made only in'Exceptional years from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes grown on estate plots. Its color is reminiscent of game caught salmon - creamy and rich and can compete with many flavors on the table. But save it for the post-holiday party: it's perfect for the sweet dishes on your table, with its slightly caramelized profile (in a good way) and juicy ripe fruit. The white brut is made from three traditional Champagne grape varieties (+4.9% reserve wine) and has notes of rich pastry, quince and Asian pear (not tasted; indicated by the producer).

7. Domaine Serene: Well, we can't leave all the fun of California to ourselves, so we're sharing it with a Champagne-like varietal from Domaine Serene in Dundee Hills, Oregon. Brut