Thanksgiving Wine Pairing

Choosing wines to enjoy with Thanksgiving dinner is easy. Why? Because it's hard to make a bad choice. Simply picking your favorite wines to share with your guests on this special day will make them thankful.

Or, let us give you some ideas. Because your guest list is as diverse as the dishes you plan on serving, we have supplied you with advice for red wines, white wines, rosés and sparkling wines to serve. You may prefer to serve all whites or all reds, or a few selections of each. You may want to start the evening with a sparkling wine and carry it all the way through the meal. And, don't forget how delicious rosés can be. Continue reading the extended entry for this years Thanksgiving wine selections.

Sparkling Wine

Because a traditional Thanksgiving meal brings together such a diverse range of flavors, and some that are rich or slightly sweet, a sparkling wine that is not completely dry will please nearly everyone. If your choice is French Champagne or California sparkling wine, choose one labeled "extra dry," ("brut" is the driest category, and "extra dry" is just a little softer, with fuller fruit flavors). Another good choice for a delicious sparkling wine for this holiday meal is one from the Loire Valley in France. These wines are made from the Chenin Blanc grape, and offer fresh and luscious fruit flavors that harmonize well with all of the traditional Thanksgiving delights. I choose California sparkling wines becuase they are just as good as Champagne from France and generally much cheaper. My two favorites are the Iron Horse 2002 Wedding Cuvee  and the Roederer Estate NV Brut .

Red Wines

Much of the appeal of Thanksgiving dinner is found in the wonderful aromas coming from the kitchen while the meal is being prepared. And a very aromatic red wine such as Pinot Noir fits right in and adds its own unique appeal. Generally light in body, with soft texture as a counterpoint to its lovely aroma, Pinot Noir is easy to love, especially among the many flavors of Thanksgiving. My favorite moderatley priced Pinot Noir is Acacia Pinot Noir grown in the Carneros Region of Napa Valley. It can be bought on-line at wine.com. If you are looking for something at little more expensive I can’t recoomend enough any of the pinot noirs from Radio Coteau.

Every year in November, the first wine of the harvest in the Beaujolais region in France makes its way to market. The wine Beaujolais Nouveau  is as fresh and appealing as its name. Made of the Gamay grape, this fresh, purple wine is all fruit and no pretension, and well complements Thanksgiving fare. And, as it can be enjoyed slightly chilled, it is likely to please those who favor white wines, too.

White Wines

One of the best pairings for Turkey, and many of the traditional side dishes, is Chardonnay, a wine nearly always made in a dry but fresh and fruity style. Choose a full-bodied, ripe, fruity Chardonnay from California, Australia, or Chile, and you'll have a wine that serves well from appetizers through the meal.

A slightly more crisp wine that also goes well with the traditional meal is Sauvignon Blanc, with its bright fruit acidity and plenty of herbaceous character to complement the many spices in the stuffing and side dishes.

Those who favor a lighter and more delicate white wine will find Riesling from Washington State or the Finger Lakes region of New York a great match for Thanksgiving dinner. The light floral aroma of Riesling and its soft, fresh fruit flavors fit nicely into the array of seasonings this traditional dinner offers, and the hint of sweetness offered by most Rieslings gives this wine great appeal for many palates. I am not much of a white wine drinker but for those who are I will be serving the Au Bon Climat 2003 Santa Barbara Chardonnay

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