7 Perfect Thanksgiving Wine Pairings

What is your favorite Thanksgiving dish?

Is it the turkey, the cranberry sauce, the stuffing, or maybe the mashed potatoes and gravy?

Yes.

All of the above.

And I’ll have seconds.

A delicious combination indeed, but with so many food pairings it can be a challenge to select the right wine.

A good place to start is to think of the whole picture.  When it comes to Thanksgiving dinner, rather than break the dishes down individually, remember that food should pair with food first, and wine second.  This way the wine compliments everything harmoniously.

Basically it’s a Goldilocks situation.  You don’t want anything too bold, lest you overwhelm your palate.  You don’t want anything too tannic, as turkey can cook up dry and you don’t want to constantly be reaching for water instead of your tasty wine.  You don’t want anything too light, or you’ll miss how well wine can enhance the food.

So.  What then, constitutes just right?

Riesling

Naturally high in acidity with typical aromas of pitted fruits, honey and stone, Riesling is a classic complimentary favorite for many meals as well as a palate refresher between bites.  One caveat: be sure to pair with a dry Riesling, and pick one with an alcohol by volume (abv) percentage of at least 12.5%.

One of my absolute favorite Rieslings for the dinner table is Coiled Wines Dry Riesling.  This beautiful wine will complement your dinner sumptuously with luscious aromas of fruit and baking spices.

Chenin Blanc

Like Riesling, Chenin Blanc is high in acidity and can be crafted into sweet and dry varieties.  For a perfect Thanksgiving pairing, look to the dry styles of South Africa.  Chenin Blanc thrives there as the most widely planted varietal (where it is called Steen) and is made in a way that balances the acidity while imparting fresh aromas of green apple, melon, herb and mineral.

Rosé

Made from red wine grapes, rosé takes varietals that might otherwise be considered too tannic or bold (such as Syrah) and transforms them into more acidic, fruity, and refreshing wines.  You may want to choose an American-made rosé because the European styles, particularly French, may be too light for the occasion.  I’m personally gracing the Thanksgiving dinner table with Sawtooth Winery Classic Fly Grenache Rosé.

Zinfandel

Often described as “jammy” and “fruit forward”, Zinfandel can perfectly marry the sweet and savory on your plate and on your palate!  It is uniquely low in tannin and high in alcohol, so you’ll avoid the dried-out sensation that can accompany bolder red wines.  Try wines from Lodi, California, where winemakers have earned a reputation for making (affordable!) world class Zinfandel.

Beaujolais

Located just below the Burgundy region in France, Beaujolais makes distinct wines from the Gamay grape typically using the carbonic maceration technique.  This is also referred to as whole berry pressing, in which the grapes are crushed by their own weight, reliant on natural yeasts and carbon dioxide to convert the sugars in the juice to alcohol.

The result of this process is a massively fruity, low tannin wine.  A large portion of this wine (called Beaujolais Nouveau) is bottled and sold within weeks of fermentation.   The release date is always the third Thursday in November, just in time for Thanksgiving!

Tempranillo

Tinta Roriz, Cencibel, Aragonêz and Tinto Fino are just a few names this Spanish varietal is known by.  The mild to moderate acidity and characteristic aromas of strawberry, cherry and tobacco make this an ideal Turkey Day pairing.

Interestingly, the varietal is doing awesomely here in Idaho.  One of my favorites, the 2011 Syringa Winery Tempranillo, would be a delightful addition to your holiday.

Pinot Noir

Known for its low to medium tannins and high acidity, Pinot Noir marries aromas of red berries with the earthiness of leather and mushroom.  It’s an amazing pairing and brings out the best in all the flavors on your plate – from the cranberry chutney to the salty stuffing and giblet gravy.  My recommendation is to look for Pacific Northwest brands because Oregon is currently crushing it when it comes to making great Pinot.

Raise your hand if you are suddenly so excited for Thanksgiving dinner!  I can practically smell the turkey roasting in the oven.  I love cooking for my friends and family, and I am so looking forward to filling bellies with amazing food made even better by delicious wine pairings (bonus: know exactly how much wine to buy by using these nine practical tips).

Do you have wine pairings to recommend?  I’d love to hear them!