Wine Down Thursday: Mike’s Thanksgiving Picks!
November 5 from 6 to 7:30pm
Sampler: $20/person

At this Wine Down, host with the most Mike Francisco has lined up his Thanksgiving picks, three bottles ready to steal the spotlight: a classic Beaujolais, a sun-kissed Bandol rosé, and a Lambrusco so good it might make you a convert.

Think of tonight as a conversation, not a quiz. No fancy vocabulary, no wrong answers, just a curious mind, a willing palate, and your boldest attempt at saying “Lambrusco” with full Italian flair. Hand gestures encouraged. Mike will guide us through each pour and share what earns these bottles a spot at the table, so swirl, sniff, sip, and compare notes with your neighbors. Debating cherry versus cranberry is half the fun!

Here’s to finding a new favorite, reuniting with an old classic, and savoring every sip.

Featured Wines:
2025 La Battagliola Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro “Dosage 15”
Hailing from the Grasparossa di Castelvetro DOC, south of Modena, this dry, fizzy red is made from 100% Lambrusco Grasparossa, the grape for which the region is named. It brims with red and black forest berries and tangerine, alongside fresh violets, rosemary, thyme, and sage. Medium-bodied, with bright acidity and fine, creamy bubbles, the wine has a dry, slightly bitter finish. At the Thanksgiving table, the berry and citrus fruit plays the role of cranberry relish alongside roast turkey, while the herbal notes complement the traditional savory sides. The bright acidity keeps you refreshed and ready for the next bite.

2025 La Bastide Blanche Bandol Rosé
This Mourvèdre-led rosé from the limestone-rich soils of Bandol, an appellation in Provence, has broader shoulders than most summer sippers. It opens with bright wild red berries and blood orange, followed by bay leaf, floral notes, and thyme. The palate unfolds with nectarine, apricot, and salted watermelon, finishing with dried herbs and a saline note evocative of a Mediterranean sea breeze. The combination of generous fruit, vibrant acidity, and savory herbal notes makes this a compelling choice for the Thanksgiving table.

 2024 Pierre-Marie Chermette Beaujolais Vieilles Vignes Cuvée Origine
Origine drinks more like a cru Beaujolais than a wine from the southern village of Saint-Vérand. It draws richness from vines aged 35 to 100 years and its mineral grip from the only granite outcrop this far south. Fresh wild strawberry, pomegranate, and red currant mingle with freshly brewed dark-roast coffee, garden soil, and wisps of woodsmoke and white pepper. The interplay of vibrant acidity and savory depth makes this a classic pairing for the Thanksgiving table.