If you're like me, Thanksgiving is the kick-off to a season of last-minutes: last-minute cooking, last-minute cleaning, last-minute shopping. If you're making a last-minute trip to K&L to pick up some Thanksgiving wines, here are some staff favorites to make things easier.

Cremant de Limoux Antech "Emotion" ($14.99) Whether you're thrilled to have the whole family together or to have escaped your in-laws, you'll need something bubbly to toast with. This sparkling blend of chardonnay, chenin blanc, mauzac and pinot noir is perfect for your Thanksgiving table. Bright and lovely, like the essence of strawberries, Jim Barr will be drinking this at Thanksgiving and you should too!

Prefer Champagne? You can't go wrong with the Fleury "Carte Rouge" Brut Champagne ($39.99). This biodynamically grown, pinot noir-based Champagne is fruity, delicate and wonderfully elegant. One of the driest Champagnes we have, the Carte Rouge has wonderful black cherry fruit that reminds you that this is a Blanc de Noir. Long, refreshing and balanced!

Set your table with one of the most easy-to-drink, affordible wines in the store, the 2007 Bernier Chardonnay Vin du Pays Jardin de la France ($6.99). Elisabeth Schriber wrote the 2006 vintage up in our November newsletter, and while we still have some '06 available for online orders, the 2007 is now in the stores. The new vintage has a brighter, more focused nose that just leaps from the glass. You will love the abundant citrus aromas, juicy, slightly rich mouthfeel and refreshing mineral finish.

No Thanksgiving feast is complete without pinot noir and the 2007 Hirsch Estate "The Bohan Dillon" Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ($29.99) is the perfect complement to any turkey feast. San Francisco's Mike Jordan wrote this one up in the November newsletter, saying: "This is an amazing wine for the price. It's full-bodied and focused with beautifully balanced cherry, plum and spice notes and hints of mineral and leather."

The 2006 Artazu "Artazuri" Garnacha, Navarra Spain ($10.99) is Bryan Brick's pick for a Thanksgiving wine. He says: "This gem is perfect for turkey, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce. Heck, it will even make grandma's Jell-O salad taste like it came from the French Laundry. Made from the food-friendly garnacha grape, otherwise known as grenache, this has all the tangy red-fruited snappiness that you find in pinot noir for much less moolah. Bushels of freshly-picked raspberries co-mingle with something like red licorice on the nose. But don't worry, sweet this is not, with its weightless frame, mouthwatering acidity and persistent floral notes encapsulating cherry flesh."

Guido and I both agree that the 2006 Poggiarellino Rosso di Montalcino ($17.99) is our ideal Thanksgiving wine, assuming there's a decanter in the house (sangiovese loves air, so I decant everything made with sangiovese). This baby Brunello is already drinking well, fully of strawberry and cherry aromas and flavors with plenty of Montalcino dust and earthiness to boot. This isn't Aunt Tillie's wine, no doubt, but that just means there will be more for you.

While you've got the decanter out, you can serve the incredible 2006 Cote de Nuits-Villages, Clos de Magny, Domaine Fery ($27.99). Believe it or not this is single-vineyard Burgundy for less than $30! Its pretty red fruit notes tend toward currant and cherries, this is a lovely wine you may want to hide in the cabinet and drink yourself.

If you're catering to a big crowd, don't miss the 2003 Kunde Sonoma Valley Merlot (1.5L $19.99)! This is an incredible value from one of Sonoma's most-respected producers. Like a box full of chocolate-covered cherries, this wine hits a sweet spot for flavor and price. Twice as nice!

May your turkey be moist, your guests be happy and your Thanksgiving be filled with laughter, good food and wine.

Happy Turkey Day!

—Leah Greenstein