Thanksgiving Wine Pairings

Ohh, Turkey Day!!! I'm beyond obsessed with this ultimate feast and the ever-swelling gathering of family and friends crammed into a too-tiny, hectic and utterly delicious-smelling kitchen. I adore the sight of hands everywhere eager to help prepare, stories being shared and everyone sitting down together to a veritable smorgasbord. And while this uniquely American holiday's history has given us a fairly good idea of what to eat, the question of what to drink is perhaps not so easily answered.

To start, let's get one thing out of the way! There's not a "right" or a "wrong" wine to slam with your pie, but there are wines that just might be more likely send you to sensory elation. So, where to start?

Zinfandel

Zinfandel could very well be the #1 All-American Thanksgiving wine choice given that it was once the most planted variety in California (prior to the Prohibition era). Here’s how this wine will behave when paired with food:

• It will amplify Thanksgiving spices such as clove, cinnamon, and allspice.
• It often adds a touch of smokiness to the taste profile.
• It’s typically bolder and richer (higher alcohol) and thus, pairs well with dark meat turkey.

Pinot Noir
​Pinot Noir is the fine-wine lover’s #1 pick for Thanksgiving, which is due (in large part) to the grape’s prestigious pedigree tracing back to Burgundy, France.

• A great pick for classic Thanksgiving dishes with simple spicing (salt + pepper) or cream based dishes like creamy mashed potatoes or casseroles.
• Pinot works well with both dark and white meat turkey.
• It will do great to accentuate cranberry-like flavors.

Rosé or Blanc de Noirs Champagne
​This is a sommelier’s must-have wine for Thanksgiving because, for a somm, you can’t really start a meal without a splash of something sparkling wine. Here’s why:

• It’s a great choice for a pre-Thanksgiving aperitif.
• It’s bold enough to pair alongside dinner.
• Its strawberry, white currant and white raspberry flavors accentuate the cranberry flavors in the dish.
• It acts as a palate cleanser to rich gravies and meats.

Riesling
​One of the most aromatics of whites, Riesling meets the big flavors of the day with a bushelful of fruit. And as whites go, the variety is also deceptively mouth-filling and braced with acidity, giving it the wherewithal to keep up with everything from the sweet potatoes to the sausage in the dressing. And in this case, a touch of sweetness in the wine is your friend.

• ​Its crisp acidity and flavors of apples, citrus and stone fruits pair well with such a wide variety of Thanksgiving foods.
• Has a bright flavor that will pair amazingly well with rich and savory stuffing.
• natural acidity stands up nicely to rich dishes like mashed potatoes.
• ​It’s lush body, and hint of citrus pair perfectly with that beautiful bird.