The economy is finally in recovery, and the stock market is up. But there's still some bad news out there, so I'm going to count my blessings just as much as ever this Thanksgiving.

The annual day of feasting often provokes angst in hosts about what wine to serve. Friends and relatives have diverse palates. The different kinds of food is a challenge.

Brian Erickson of Erickson Fine Wines in Eagle made several astute observations and provided a number of sensible and affordable recommendations.

"You have so many different dishes and competing flavors," he said. "Obviously, no one wine will do.

"The one thing that's true of Thanksgiving dinner is that it's a heavy meal, so you don't want a heavy wine."

Erickson said white wines should be lighter bodied and lower in acid so they don't clash with high acid dishes such as cranberry sauce. Likewise, reds also should should be lighter-bodied and low in tannins.

He provided a number of affordable recommendations found either in his shop, or in the area. Prices are approximate.

SPARKLING WINE

Why not start off your meal with a toast? Erickson suggests Jeio (pronounced jay-oh) NV Prosecco from Italy ($15).

"It's my favorite Prosecco," he said. "It's fresh, with great soft fruit, and isn't too crisp. It has nice peach and apricot flavors."

WHITE WINE

"A Gewurztraminer works well with dishes such as yams and cranberries," Erickson said.

He suggests either 2007 Valckenberg Plalz Gewurztraminer ($11) for a slightly sweet white, or 2007 Adler Fels Russian River Valley Gewurztraminer ($14) for a drier white.

He also likes Monmousseau 2006 Vouvray ($12), a Chenin Blanc from the Loire region, and Trimbach 2006 Pinot Blanc ($13) from the Alsace region.

Good Idaho alternatives are Ste. Chapelle 2008 Dry Gewurztraminer ($9) and Woodriver Cellars 2007 Gewurztraminer ($15).

ROSE WINES

"Dry rose is incredibly food versatile," Erickson said. His recommendation is Marquis Phillips 2008 Grenache Rose ($10) from Southeast Australia.

Idaho alternatives include Holesinsky Vineyards 2008 Jezebel Rose ($15) and 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards 2008 Reserve Rose ($15).

An excellent and popular semi-sweet Idaho Rose is Indian Creek's White Pinot Noir ($8).

RED WINES

Erickson doesn't recommend expensive wines for Thanksgiving, so the following reds are all great values.

"One of my favorite wines practically forever has been J. Lohr Wildflower Valdiguie ($9) from California," he said.

Most Americans aren't familiar with the unusual tasting Valdiguie variety, so Thanksgiving would a perfect excuse to try the 2008 vintage.

"It's a little fuller bodied than Beaujolais, but with Rhone-style spiciness," Erickson said.

One of the more traditional Thanksgiving red wines is Pinot Noir. Erickson recommends Castle Rock 2008 Pinot Noir ($12) from California.

Another great Pinot for Thanksgiving dinner from Idaho is Indian Creek 2006 Pinot Noir ($14).

For a European red, Erickson suggests Contorno Fantino 2006 Dolchetto D'Alba ($16) from Italy. He says the Dolcetto grape has more berry juiciness and lower acid than most Italian varietals.

Erickson also notes that this is the time of year when Beaujolais Nouveau from France is released, and that it's a suitable red wine for Thanksgiving.

It'll be available beginning on Nov. 20 and will be about $15 a bottle.

Garry Scholz: wineadvice.garry@gmail.com