If you’re looking to take your Thanksgiving table to the next level, look no further than wine. The perfect wine pairings for your Thanksgiving dinner can make all the difference in the world when it comes to a special meal.
From appetizer pairings to the main course and beyond – we’ve got you covered! Now, all you have to worry about is keeping an eye on that turkey.
Here are 6 of our favorite Thanksgiving wine pairings:
1. #BringTheBubbly with Sparkling Wines
When you sit down at the Thanksgiving table, you know you’re in for the long haul. Thanksgiving dinner is a big meal filled with a variety of flavors. Add the appetizers and desserts, and you’ve got yourself a real palatal challenge!
The answer, however, is very simple: Sparkling Wine. Dry Italian sparklers such as Lot 50 Prosecco or Lot 197 Prosecco Rosé are extremely versatile when it comes to food pairings, and can be enjoyed with just about anything you’ll face on Thanksgiving day. But, perhaps even more importantly, these sparkling, crisp, acidic wines act as a great palate cleanser to kick off a meal, move between stages of the dinner, or refresh your mouth for the next course.
Snacking on cheese and charcuterie before the big meal kicks off? Lot 172 Lambrusco is a must. Plus, what’s more festive than a sparkling red?
2. Please the Crowd with Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is another versatile wine when it comes to food pairings. It’s light enough that it won’t overpower dishes, but many Pinots (especially those from Burgundy, France or California) have an abundance of bright fresh fruit that compliments many flavors so well. Pinot Noir and turkey is a classic pairing. It’s not going to bend minds with creativity, but it will please everyone around the table. Especially if that Pinot Noir is a great Pinot Noir.
Our recommendations are Lot 160 Bourgogne Rouge, Lot 75 Russian River Valley, Reserve Pinot Noir and Lot 137 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Trust us when we say these selections are sure to impress even the wine enthusiasts around the table.
Lot 75 Russian River Valley, Reserve Pinot Noir
Lot 137 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
3. Elevate the Elegance with Chardonnay
Every Thanksgiving dinner table needs a white wine. Period. It needs a red wine too. But you really should have both to offer up your guests. We recommend offering a crisp, bright and rich Chardonnay with an elegant demeanor.
Our Chardonnay selections are suitable for the Thanksgiving table, and their clean, balanced and rich flavors (thanks to just the right amount of oak) will pair splendidly well with turkey, gravy and mashed potatoes.
Lot 130 Russian River Valley Chardonnay
4. Bring on the Beaujolais
There's a reason Beaujolais wine is the staple of the Thanksgiving table. It's fun, fruity and most importantly, it's exceptionally food-friendly. When there are a lot of rich dishes being passed around the table, you might want to think about offering a red wine that isn't too full-bodied or tannic, something like Beaujolais that is easy to drink while also being easy on your wallet!
5. Ring in the Holidays with Rosé
Whoever told you that rosé is just for warm summer months clearly is off-trend. Rosé, dear friends, is a wine for all seasons; and it’s especially fantastic on the Thanksgiving dinner table.
The particular rosés we are recommending all pair very well with Turkey and its side dishes. Add some cranberry sauce to the mix, and rosé is a match made in heaven.
Also, everybody loves rosé. So it’s a win/win.
Lot 132 Cotes de Provence Rosé
6. Rise to the Occasion with Riesling
Riesling often gets left behind in conversations about white wine. It’s Chardonnay this, Pinot Grigio that, Sauvignon Blanc… blah blah. But Riesling is, after all, Germany’s greatest contribution to the wine world. And it’s also, perhaps, Germany’s greatest contribution to Thanksgiving.
Yes, Riesling is an ideal Thanksgiving wine; with good acidity, lower alcohol and plenty of fall-friendly flavors (like apple and citrus and light touches of honey sweetness). Riesling also has body and texture that can stand toe-to-toe with rich meats and slightly sweeter Thanksgiving dishes. Sweet potatoes? Serve it up with a refreshingly juicy, slightly sweet Riesling. Done and done!
Lot 66 RieslingFind all of these wines and more at your local 90+ Cellars retailer!