Thanksgiving is just around the corner. The food, family, and festivities make it one of the most exciting times of the year. Choosing the perfect thanksgiving wine pairings between traditional dishes can be a bit intimidating. But don’t worry; we have wine-pairing ideas that go perfectly with your Thanksgiving meal to make it even better. Prepare to impress your guests with these Thanksgiving Wine Pairing Ideas that will take your holiday dinner to the next level.
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Can I really make my Turkey taste better with the right wine?
You bet your basting brush you can! Choosing the right wines for Thanksgiving doesn’t just elevate the taste of your turkey; it can make Aunt Martha’s green bean casserole taste like it was sent down from the culinary gods. So yes, the right wine is like the ultimate flavor amplifier.
7 Thanksgiving Wine Pairings
Zinfandel: A Must-Have Thanksgiving Wine Pairing
If you want to add richness and depth to your meal, Zinfandel is the perfect choice. With its spicy characteristics of cinnamon, clove, and allspice, it pairs very well with turkey’s herb and spice profiles. The wine’s smokiness complements dark meat more than white meat turkey.
Pinot Noir: A Classic Thanksgiving Dinner Wine
Pinot Noir is a classic Thanksgiving dinner wine that pairs best with simple spicing dishes and cream-based soups. With its high acidity and low tannins, it balances traditional Thanksgiving dinners and brings out cranberry-like flavors. It works particularly well with both dark and white meat turkey, making it an excellent wine to serve on this occasion.
Beaujolais: A Special French Wine For A Thanksgiving Feast
Beaujolais has a fruity, free-flowing character that makes it the perfect partner for wild rice, salads, roasted squash, and cranberries on Thanksgiving. It feels lighter on the palate, adding a much-needed palate cleanse from the sumptuous feast. It pairs particularly well with white meat turkey.
GSM/Rhône Blends: A Tasty Combination for Wine Lovers
This synergistic blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre balances out the savory tones of turkey gravy with its fig or dried berry flavors. It feels like a celebration in itself with its vibrant purple color and bold taste. GSM/Rhône blends are perfect with smoked turkey and stuffing. The perfect pairing to bring thanksgiving dinner to a whole new level. Try this Hahn GSM at Top Shelf!
Rosé or Blanc de Noirs Champagne: The Precursor to Thanksgiving Feast
A delightful Rosé or Blanc de Noirs Champagne acts as a fantastic aperitif, cleanses your palate before the main course, and gives your dinner a celebratory edge. With its crisp acidity, it accentuates cranberry flavors. It adds a lively, sparkling touch to your Thanksgiving dinner.
Sancerre: A Striking Choice For Thanksgiving Dishes
Sancerre is a fresh, herbaceous wine that pairs excellently with green bean casserole, Brussels sprouts, and roast asparagus on Thanksgiving. It acts as a palate cleanser with its high acidity and gives your Thanksgiving dinner a subtle but striking edge.
Amarone della Valpolicella: A Wine that Adds Festivity to Thanksgiving
Amarone della Valpolicella is a cherry-scented wine that adds festivity to Thanksgiving dinner – it’s your celebratory wine! With its moderate acidity, it pairs beautifully with sweet glazed ham, while its dried fruit aromas balance savory and fruity flavors of Thanksgiving dishes.
Is there any foolproof wine that goes with everything on a traditional Thanksgiving platter?
In the world of Thanksgiving wine pairings, Pinot Noir is your trusty, jack-of-all-trades buddy. It’s versatile enough to hold its own alongside everything from your savory stuffing to that sweet-tart cranberry sauce.
8 Top Rated Pinot Noir Brands
Of the more than 36,500 Pinot Noirs reviewed to date by Wine Enthusiast, here are eight of the top-searched, recently reviewed wines. (source)
- Belle Glos 2019 Las Alturas Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands)
- Bogle 2019 Pinot Noir (California)
- Brewer-Clifton 2019 3D Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills)
- Jacques Bourguignon 2020 Pinot Noir (Vin de France)
- Portlandia 2019 Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley)
- Underwood 2019 Pinot Noir (Oregon)
- Valle de Inez 2019 Pinot Noir (San Luis Obispo County)
- Yellow Tail 2019 Pinot Noir (South Eastern Australia)
Some of our Top Shelf Best Selling Pinot Noirs include Cakebread, The Prisoner, and La Crema.
My family prefers white wine. Any suggestions?
Ever heard of the saying “opposites attract”? Well, it works for wines too. If your family is into white wines, go for a Chardonnay with its crisp acidity and citrusy notes; it can cut through the richness of the turkey and mashed potatoes, creating a perfect balance.
What about dessert wines?
Got a sweet tooth? When it comes to thanksgiving wine pairings – serve your pumpkin pie with a sweet Riesling or an ice wine. These wines will compliment the spices in your dessert without overpowering it. Look at you, becoming the wine pairing pro!
Try a local Illinois wine from Blue Sky Reisling or the popular Chateau St. Michelle Reisling.
What if I just want to keep things simple?
Hey, no judgment here. If you want to keep things simple and still rock your Thanksgiving wine game, grab a bottle (or two, or three, we won’t tell) of Sparkling wine. It’s a crowd-pleaser and pairs well with a wide range of dishes. Plus, who doesn’t love a bit of bubbly?
Elevate Your Thanksgiving Feast with These Exciting Thanksgiving Wine Pairings!
As we near Thanksgiving, I hope that these Thanksgiving Wine Pairings bring some excitement and put you at ease as you prepare a wine list that complements your meal. The perfect wine pairing is not about rules or trends; it’s about what you enjoy.
These are just a few ideas that will elevate your Thanksgiving feast, bringing exciting flavors to your dinner table. From classic choices to more adventurous ones– red, white, or bubbly –there are so many exciting wine pairings to experiment with.
Order online and pick up at Top Shelf here! Happy Thanksgiving!
