In America, more wine is purchased for Thanksgiving dinner than for any other holiday. Since there are so many conflicting flavors served at the Thanksgiving table, the challenge lies in selecting wines that pair well with the food.
To please diners with various tastes, it’s wise to have a selection of both red and white bottles on the table, with corresponding glassware. Your guests can then decide what works for them and allows them the opportunity to switch back and forth between wines and food.
Pouring American wines always seems like the right thing to do for this all-American holiday and here are some widely-available Thanksgiving wines at various price points.
Sparkling Wines for Thanksgiving
Having some sparkling wine on hand for Thanksgiving is smart as it’s an ideal aperitif to set the tone for a festive atmosphere as guests arrive but it’s also very food-friendly and enjoyable throughout dinner.
Gruet Winery – Gruet Blanc de Noirs NV – $12.99
2014 Taittinger Domaine Carneros Brut – $24.99
2015 Schramsberg Blanc De Blanc – $27.99
Roederer Estate Brut NV – $20.99
Best Thanksgiving Whites
Riesling
Riesling is always a top pick for Turkey Day with its apple and honey flavors and great acidity – perfect for white and dark meat and for the bold flavors of candied sweet potatoes and spiced stuffing.
2017 Willamette Valley Vineyards Riesling – $12.99
2016 Ravines Riesling Dry – $13.99
2015 Forlorn Hope White “Queen Of the Sierra” Estate – $19.99
Gewürztraminer
Another clear favorite for Thanksgiving is Gewürztraminer with its ultra-aromatic nose and spicy palate. Great for turkey, gravy, rich casseroles!
2016 Fetzer Vineyards Gewurztraminer – $8.99
2014 Red Newt Cellars Gewurztraminer – $12.99
2015 Hogue Cellars Gewurztraminer – $9.99
Best Thanksgiving Reds
Zinfandel
We love these wines with dark turkey meat and meat-based stuffing. Zins will enhance the big spiced flavors of Thanksgiving dinner, especially allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg. These wines will also add a touch of smokiness to the foods they’re paired with.
2015 Bogle Vineyards Bogle Essential – $8.99
2015 Foxglove – Zinfandel – $12.99
2016 Ridge Vineyards Three Valleys Red Sonoma County – $24.99
2016 Hartford Family Winery Old Vine Zinfandel Russian River – $34.99
2015 Limerick Lane Russian River Zinfandel – $39.99
Pinot Noir
This is likely the wine best-suited for Thanksgiving as it pairs well with most foods. The fruitiness of the wine is a nice match for sides and cranberry sauce, mushroom dishes and goes well with both white and dark meat.
2016 Owen Roe – Pinot Noir Sharecropper’s – $19.99
2014 Robert Sinskey Vineyards – Robert Sinskey Pinot Noir – $23.99
2014 Carpe Diem Pinot Noir Anderson Valley – $24.99
2015 Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir Willamette Valley – $34.99
2015 Bergstrom Wines Pinot Noir Cumberland Reserve – $36.99
2015 En Route – Pinot Noir Les Pommiers – $49.99
Do you have some favorites for Thanksgiving? Whatever you pour, I hope you have a great holiday!
Cheers,
Veronique
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