Thanksgiving is here and you have spent countless hours contemplating your festive dinner menu. With the focus on the meal, we tend to overlook the most important part till the last minute – the wine. It is important to keep in mind that Thanksgiving is not just about the meal but the wines play an equally important role. Thanksgiving feasts can be tricky as there is a wide range of flavors and textures with cheese, dips, charcuterie, stuffing, sweet potatoes, turkey, and desserts. Whether you are choosing wines for Friendsgiving or a meal with close family, the right pairings will make all the difference.
Wines To Pair With Your Thanksgiving DinneR
Aperitif
There is nothing more special than spending Thanksgiving with your friends and family. To brighten and make your celebrations sparkle, begin your dinner with bubbles. Don’t begin with just any bubbles; start your afternoon with Roederer Estate Brut Sparkling Wine from Anderson Valley. The Roederer Estate Brut debuted in October 1988 and has since established its reputation as one of California’s premier sparklers, remaining true to the heritage of excellence and style of its French forebears.
Cheese Board
Cheeseboards are easy, simple, fun, and impressive. Cheese and wine bring out the best in each other. Create an epic cheese board with a variety of cheeses, preserves, and fresh fruits. Emmolo Sauvignon Blanc 2022 will pair perfectly with fresh cheeses like mozzarella, ricotta, and chèvre. Trenel Beaujolais Cuvee Rochebonne 2021 from France is a fun festive wine for Thanksgiving. It will be best complemented with comté, brie, or any other semi-soft cheese. If you want to wow your guests with a unique wine pairing, try Gérard Bertrand Orange Gold 2021, a wine that pairs with nearly every kind of cheese, no matter the texture or milk variety. Orange Gold is a French take on Georgian skin contact wines that has gorgeous floral notes and soft tannins.
Charcuterie Platter
A Charcuterie board can be a simple yet hearty snack for your guests. The Frank Family Blanc de Blancs Napa Valley 2016 is great with charcuterie. The crispness and acidity in this bubbly pairs wonderfully with spicy cured meats like soppressata and chorizo. Bright whites like Mer Soleil Chardonnay Reserve 2021 from Santa Lucia, pairs well with salty and fatty charcuterie like prosciutto or speck. Creamy, yet fresh, this wine is perfectly balanced and round, with notes of lemon squares easing into lively acidity. Paté is a great addition to any charcuterie platter and paired with Dominio del Soto Tempranillo Ribera del Duero 2019 is a match made in heaven. Notes of ripe blackberry and blackcurrant with low acidity and medium tannins, also make it a great pairing with Iberico ham and chorizo.
Mushroom Dishes
A luxurious creamy mushroom risotto is a decadent dish that will appeal to all your guests, especially vegetarians. It is an elegant dish that pairs perfectly with Pinot Noir. Go with one of the most renowned names in California and choose Talbott Sleepy Hollow Pinot Noir 2019 from the Santa Lucia Highlands. Talbott’s complex and layered profile can stand up to and enhance the richness of mushroom-based dishes. Copain Daybreak White Blend 2022 will elevate your holiday meal when paired with stuffed mushrooms. Daybreak is crafted from a harmonious fusion of seven distinctive white grape varieties, Viognier, Gewürztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Picpoul, and Chenin Blanc—a truly exceptional and one-of-a-kind choice for your holiday celebrations.
Grilled Vegetables and Side Dishes
Dobbes Grand Assemblage Pinot Noir 2021 is the perfect pairing for earthy stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and roasted vegetables. It draws long on the palate with mouthwatering acidity, and a light but discernible structure. Delicate and fresh, it displays flavors of raspberry, orange pith, blackberry, and dark chocolate. Chardonnay is a classic selection for the Thanksgiving table. Goosecross Napa Chardonnay 2022 is clean, balanced, and with rich flavor. It pairs splendidly well with creamy mac and cheese and roasted cauliflower.
Turkey
A traditional Thanksgiving dinner typically features a turkey as its centerpiece. Cliff Lede Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2022 from Napa Valley pairs beautifully with turkey. This Thanksgiving, take your pairings to another level with a delicate, sophisticated Sauvignon Blanc to pair perfectly with your turkey dinner. The layers, complexity, and vibrant acidity of Cliff Lede Sauvignon Blanc will cut through the fat and add freshness to the meal. If you are choosing to smoke your turkey, then Gaia Cabernet Franc 2020 will be a delectable choice. This Cabernet Franc features dark, ripe fruit flavors along with earthy spice notes that work well with smoked turkey.
Prime Rib/Beef Tenderloin
If turkey is not a part of your Thanksgiving table then prime rib or beef tenderloin is a perfect alternative for a Thanksgiving feast. Nothing pairs better with beef than Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon. If you are looking for an intense and expressive style of Cabernet, Calla Lily Ultimate Red Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 from Napa Valley is the ideal choice. It is concentrated and sophisticated and will pair deliciously with steaks and prime rib. Calla Lily is a hidden gem from Napa, making small-production artisanal wines. If you are a Merlot fan, then Matanzas Creek Alexander Valley Merlot 2021 is the choice for you. It has ripe fruits and firm tannins that work well to break down the fattiness of prime rib. Embodying the spirit of togetherness and joy, Matanzas Creek’s Alexander Valley Merlot is sure to elevate any holiday experience.
Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie is a tradition that is synonymous with Thanksgiving. The trick to pairing wine with pumpkin pie is to match the sweetness. Pumpkin pie is delicious with a Vinsanto from Santorini Greece. The addition of Estate Argyros Late Release Vinsanto 2002 to your dessert table will make this a very special ending to a memorable Thanksgiving feast. The citrus and honey notes of this Santorini Vinsanto highlight the pumpkin flavors and complement the spice. Your guests will find this pairing delightful and addictive.
Thanksgiving is here and you have spent countless hours contemplating your festive dinner menu. With the focus on the meal, we tend to overlook the most important part till the last minute – the wine. It is important to keep in mind that Thanksgiving is not just about the meal but the wines play an equally important role. Thanksgiving feasts can be tricky as there is a wide range of flavors and textures with cheese, dips, charcuterie, stuffing, sweet potatoes, turkey, and desserts. Whether you are choosing wines for Friendsgiving or a meal with close family, the right pairings will make all the difference.
Wines To Pair With Your Thanksgiving DinneR
Aperitif
There is nothing more special than spending Thanksgiving with your friends and family. To brighten and make your celebrations sparkle, begin your dinner with bubbles. Don’t begin with just any bubbles; start your afternoon with Roederer Estate Brut Sparkling Wine from Anderson Valley. The Roederer Estate Brut debuted in October 1988 and has since established its reputation as one of California’s premier sparklers, remaining true to the heritage of excellence and style of its French forebears.
Cheese Board
Cheeseboards are easy, simple, fun, and impressive. Cheese and wine bring out the best in each other. Create an epic cheese board with a variety of cheeses, preserves, and fresh fruits. Emmolo Sauvignon Blanc 2022 will pair perfectly with fresh cheeses like mozzarella, ricotta, and chèvre. Trenel Beaujolais Cuvee Rochebonne 2021 from France is a fun festive wine for Thanksgiving. It will be best complemented with comté, brie, or any other semi-soft cheese. If you want to wow your guests with a unique wine pairing, try Gérard Bertrand Orange Gold 2021, a wine that pairs with nearly every kind of cheese, no matter the texture or milk variety. Orange Gold is a French take on Georgian skin contact wines that has gorgeous floral notes and soft tannins.
Charcuterie Platter
A Charcuterie board can be a simple yet hearty snack for your guests. The Frank Family Blanc de Blancs Napa Valley 2016 is great with charcuterie. The crispness and acidity in this bubbly pairs wonderfully with spicy cured meats like soppressata and chorizo. Bright whites like Mer Soleil Chardonnay Reserve 2021 from Santa Lucia, pairs well with salty and fatty charcuterie like prosciutto or speck. Creamy, yet fresh, this wine is perfectly balanced and round, with notes of lemon squares easing into lively acidity. Paté is a great addition to any charcuterie platter and paired with Dominio del Soto Tempranillo Ribera del Duero 2019 is a match made in heaven. Notes of ripe blackberry and blackcurrant with low acidity and medium tannins, also make it a great pairing with Iberico ham and chorizo.
Mushroom Dishes
A luxurious creamy mushroom risotto is a decadent dish that will appeal to all your guests, especially vegetarians. It is an elegant dish that pairs perfectly with Pinot Noir. Go with one of the most renowned names in California and choose Talbott Sleepy Hollow Pinot Noir 2019 from the Santa Lucia Highlands. Talbott’s complex and layered profile can stand up to and enhance the richness of mushroom-based dishes. Copain Daybreak White Blend 2022 will elevate your holiday meal when paired with stuffed mushrooms. Daybreak is crafted from a harmonious fusion of seven distinctive white grape varieties, Viognier, Gewürztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Picpoul, and Chenin Blanc—a truly exceptional and one-of-a-kind choice for your holiday celebrations.
Grilled Vegetables and Side Dishes
Dobbes Grand Assemblage Pinot Noir 2021 is the perfect pairing for earthy stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and roasted vegetables. It draws long on the palate with mouthwatering acidity, and a light but discernible structure. Delicate and fresh, it displays flavors of raspberry, orange pith, blackberry, and dark chocolate. Chardonnay is a classic selection for the Thanksgiving table. Goosecross Napa Chardonnay 2022 is clean, balanced, and with rich flavor. It pairs splendidly well with creamy mac and cheese and roasted cauliflower.
Turkey
A traditional Thanksgiving dinner typically features a turkey as its centerpiece. Cliff Lede Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2022 from Napa Valley pairs beautifully with turkey. This Thanksgiving, take your pairings to another level with a delicate, sophisticated Sauvignon Blanc to pair perfectly with your turkey dinner. The layers, complexity, and vibrant acidity of Cliff Lede Sauvignon Blanc will cut through the fat and add freshness to the meal. If you are choosing to smoke your turkey, then Gaia Cabernet Franc 2020 will be a delectable choice. This Cabernet Franc features dark, ripe fruit flavors along with earthy spice notes that work well with smoked turkey.
Prime Rib/Beef Tenderloin
If turkey is not a part of your Thanksgiving table then prime rib or beef tenderloin is a perfect alternative for a Thanksgiving feast. Nothing pairs better with beef than Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon. If you are looking for an intense and expressive style of Cabernet, Calla Lily Ultimate Red Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 from Napa Valley is the ideal choice. It is concentrated and sophisticated and will pair deliciously with steaks and prime rib. Calla Lily is a hidden gem from Napa, making small-production artisanal wines. If you are a Merlot fan, then Matanzas Creek Alexander Valley Merlot 2021 is the choice for you. It has ripe fruits and firm tannins that work well to break down the fattiness of prime rib. Embodying the spirit of togetherness and joy, Matanzas Creek’s Alexander Valley Merlot is sure to elevate any holiday experience.
Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie is a tradition that is synonymous with Thanksgiving. The trick to pairing wine with pumpkin pie is to match the sweetness. Pumpkin pie is delicious with a Vinsanto from Santorini Greece. The addition of Estate Argyros Late Release Vinsanto 2002 to your dessert table will make this a very special ending to a memorable Thanksgiving feast. The citrus and honey notes of this Santorini Vinsanto highlight the pumpkin flavors and complement the spice. Your guests will find this pairing delightful and addictive.