Need some suggestions for how to choose the best wines to pair for Thanksgiving? We’ve got you covered!
How to choose the best wines to pair for Thanksgiving
Pairing wine with all the typical aromas, textures and flavors served for the Thanksgiving holiday may seem like a job for an expert sommelier.
However, do not despair, you will not require a special degree in culinary arts for finding the best matches.
All it will take is a little bit of knowledge and a touch of personal preference to find the best wines to pair for Thanksgiving.
The ultimate secret relies in choosing some of the most versatile wines so you cannot go wrong in making the right combinations that will leave your guests pleasantly impressed.
The Best Wines to Pair for Thanksgiving
Some people simply want to know what wine pairs best with turkey.
But when you’re serving a feast, it’s good to look at what will pair with a variety of flavors.
Thanksgiving is a holiday offering a medley of different flavors and textures enough to make the taste buds go into a frenzy.
You have the moist, flavorful meat of turkey, the tart taste of cranberry, the sweetness of candied yams to name a few.
The biggest challenge is finding a wine that pairs with this vast plethora of flavors.
Combining wines to each different food can get expensive unless you are willing to purchase a whole dozen of bottles. It is much easier to just play it safe and stick with a few versatile wines.
Selecting the best wine to pair with your Thanksgiving dinner is not just about what will taste good with turkey.
It’s about what will also taste good with the rest of your menu.
Selecting versatile wines for your holiday celebration is easy with our tips.
Champagne and Sparkling Wines
Add a sophisticated touch to your Thanksgiving dinner by serving Champagne and sparkling wines.
Unsure on which ones to choose?
Domaine Chandon Blanc de Noirs will make an elegant addition with its dark cherry, currant and strawberry aromas.
Argyle Winery 2006 Brut offers flavors of sweet honeysuckle, casaba and fragrant vanilla.
Pinot Noir
In all its glory, Pinot Noir makes quite a versatile wine that can be served with a wide range of foods.
You can find some excellent Pinot Noirs at your local supermarket.
Or if you are into something more specific, you can visit a wine store and ask for a particular recommendation.
Look for a fruity flavor with earthy undertones.
Try to chill a bottle of Pinot Noir to 52 degrees and serve as a before dinner aperitif to warm up your guests.
Riesling
This white wine is a top pick for Thanksgiving.
It is quite versatile and matches flavors varying from bitter to sweet and all the middle-tones in between.
The flowery, aroma along with its intense acidity, makes it one of the most appreciated white wines out there.
Zinfandel
Serving this Californian wine makes a lot of sense when celebrating an all American holiday like Thanksgiving.
However, you must be careful in selecting the right type of bottle or you may end up with a harsh, overly alcoholic, sweet drink.
Ask a wine store clerk for advice if you are unsure.
The heartier versions, with full bodied flavors generally make a good match with spice, bitter and sweet foods.
Other great Thanksgiving Wine Pairings
Other optimal choices for white wine aficionados are Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer and Viognier, whereas red wine fans may enjoy uncorking bottles of Syrah, Beaujolais Nouveau or an Ruffino il Ducale.
Like Rose’?
Go with a Chateau Guiot or an Domaine De la Mordoree.
Hosting Thanksgiving dinner is a lot of work, but you can take shopping for wine off your list of errands with a wine club membership.
We like the one from First Leaf because you get to see what selections have been made for you before it ships, so if you don’t like one, you can change it. It’s not a surprise like some wine clubs.
And when you first sign up, you get 3 bottles of wine for only $5 each, and after that, the bottles work out to about $15 each when you get your monthly shipment. So it’s a great deal for regular wine drinkers.
Other great drinks to serve for Thanksgiving
You may also enjoy some great cocktails and mocktails to serve with your Thanksgiving meal as well. Some of our favorites are our:
Harry Potter Inspired Pumpkin Juice
Cinnamon Apple Spiced Mule Shots
Hot Blackberry Pie Cocktail made with Fireball Whiskey
Baileys Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate
Sparkling Honey Cranberry Punch
try it and share!
Please let us know how you enjoy our Wine Pairing Suggestions for Thanksgiving Dinner.
Let us know what wines you’ve decided to pair with your holiday meal on Pinterest and tag us with #champagneandcoconuts on your Instagram photo.
You may enjoy following our Pinterest Boards, Wine and Thanksgiving Cocktail and Mocktail Recipes.
Hi, I’m Jennifer. I love to cook and entertain. I have a lot of fun sharing traditional food and drink recipes as well as putting a new spin on the classics. I strive to provide easy to make recipes that are perfect for the home cook, bartender and entertainer.
True about finding versatile wines and thinking about all the things on the table. I will definitely be including a Riesling in the mix this year, we’ve got a good supply of them!