This “Smooth” $8 California Red Is the Only Wine My Family Drinks for Thanksgiving (It’s That Good!)
I was 13 or 14, dressed in my Thanksgiving best, standing in line for the family photo. I smiled awkwardly, enduring what felt like an eternity (it was actually two minutes) when the camera was abruptly put away and a small quarrel broke out.
“What is this?!” I heard my grandma call out. “I can’t drink this! No, I won’t drink this.”
She was talking about a bottle of generic red wine my mom had brought for dinner, a far cry from the usual bottle California red that my family typically serves. While it might seem a bit melodramatic, to my grandma it’s that serious. Ever since then my family buys one wine and one wine only for Thanksgiving — an $8 bottle of an Apothic Red blend from Costco.
What’s So Great About Apothic Red?
Given that my family is a mix of creatives and chefs, each year our spreads look pretty different. The one thing that remains constant? This bottle of Apothic Red.
I never quite understood what my grandmother loved so much about this wine throughout my childhood, but now that I’m of legal drinking age, I get it. This California-based wine is a blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot and its deep-red (almost burgundy) hue is bursting with flavor. It’s full-bodied with a ton of depth and a touch of plum-berry sweetness that also prominently features notes of vanilla and maple.
It’s a robust, no-frills wine that has captured the hearts of my entire family and is made even better because it’s just $8 a bottle.
What’s the Best Way to Serve Apothic Red?
Mind you, this is the only wine that we serve with our Thanksgiving meals. No lighter, white varieties for appetizers or a dessert wine to top off the evening. And it’s not because we don’t have the option to drink other wines; it’s because it’s that good with everything.
Its rich notes pair delightfully with homemade turkey gravy and my dad’s special mashed potatoes just as it does with a classic pumpkin pie (which we also pick up at Costco). We serve it slightly chilled during the beginning of the evening and let it come to room temperature throughout the meal; it’s delicious either way. Just ask my grandma.
Find it in stores: Apothic Red, $8.79 for 750 ML
What is your favorite Costco wine? Tell us about it in the comments below.
