It's Nov. 4 and stores are already selling Christmas decorations. That means Thanksgiving is around the corner. So I figured I'd better start thinking about the wines I'll bring to a friend's holiday feast. Strictly as a public service, I like to sample what I'll be giving to make sure I won't disappoint my host or other guests.

Because the focus of Thanksgiving is food, finding the right wines to pair with the meal is particularly important. I want to bring something unusual, and I find it pays to get the advice of a wine expert.

Among my favorite haunts is the Wine Merchant, 20 South Hanley Road in Clayton. Owner John Nash gave me some wonderful suggestions.

For a white, he pointed to the 2008 Shaya from the Spanish wine-growing region of Rueda. The wine is made from 100 percent Verdejo grapes and was selling for $13.99.

Anyone who reads this column on a regular basis knows I'm a huge fan of Spanish whites, including those from Rueda in central Spain, northwest of Madrid. White wines from this region are fresh and lively, particularly those made from the native Verdejo grape.

Sometimes whites from Rueda are blends of Verdejo and other grapes, such as Sauvignon Blanc and Viura. These wines can be crisp and tangy with lemon and mineral flavors.

I hadn't considered choosing a wine from Rueda for Thanksgiving because I thought it might be too light for a rich meal. But Nash said the Shaya was more concentrated and would make a good pair with roast turkey.

Boy, was he right. This white was one of the best Verdejos I've ever tasted. It has a fragrant peach aroma and is bursting with fresh fruit flavor. The Shaya is a tasty, well-balanced wine with mouth-watering acidity and a long, refreshing finish.

For a red, he suggested the 2007 Domaine de Couron Côtes-du-Rhône Villages selling for $14.99. This wine, a blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache, is also a winner.

Inside the French Côtes-du-Rhône appellation, the Côtes-du-Rhône Villages label applies to a limited number of villages and is a step up in quality. Those wines are well worth the few extra dollars.

This is a fresh, fruity medium- to full-bodied red with a ripe berry aroma. It has delicious layers of red fruit, including hints of cranberry, and some cinnamon spice. This is a soft, smooth wine with nicely focused tannins. Not only would it pair well with turkey, but it would also go well with cranberry sauce, complementing its tartness, and other traditional side dishes.

And speaking of the holidays, do you have favorite "house" wines that you keep on hand for times when friends drop by or for your own everyday drinking? If so, I'd like to hear about them. Please drop me a line at stlwinefinds@gmail.com.