Thanksgiving Wine Pairings: Perfect Wines for Every Course

As we take this opportunity to step away from our daily routine, we tend to gather with family and/or friends and enjoy a meal together. We can reflect on the year and be grateful for everything positive in our lives - including our wine cellar! This year, you can pair a wine with every course from appetizers to dessert.

Thanksgiving is more than just a meal – it’s a celebration of gratitude, family, and delicious food. From the perfectly roasted turkey to an array of sides like mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and stuffing, each dish carries a story and tradition. And just as essential to the meal is the wine pairing that complements each dish.

This year, you can pair a wine with every course from appetizers to dessert:

1. Start with Sparkling: The Festive Opener

Nothing says celebration like a glass of bubbly. Sparkling wines, such as Champagne, Prosecco, or Cava, make for an excellent start to Thanksgiving. They’re refreshing, light, and have a natural acidity that pairs well with appetizers like cheese boards, roasted nuts, or light salads.

2. White Wines: Crisp and Balanced

White wines are a fantastic choice for Thanksgiving, offering versatility and freshness to balance out the richness of the meal. Here are a few standout options:

• Riesling: Whether dry or off-dry, Riesling is a Thanksgiving favourite. Its acidity cuts through the fattiness of dishes like gravy and mashed potatoes, while the fruity notes of apple, pear, and citrus enhance the flavours of roasted turkey and even cranberry sauce.
• Chardonnay: If you prefer a fuller-bodied white, Chardonnay is an excellent option. For a more buttery and creamy style, go for an oaked Chardonnay, which complements savory sides like stuffing and roasted vegetables. A more restrained, unoaked Chardonnay will offer a crisper profile, ideal for those who want something lighter.
• Sauvignon Blanc: Bright, zesty, and herbal, Sauvignon Blanc offers a refreshing contrast to heavier dishes. Its citrus and green notes pair beautifully with green beans, salads, and even turkey.

3. Red Wines: Bold Flavours for the Main Course

Thanksgiving dinner often calls for reds that aren’t too heavy but still bring enough complexity to match the variety of flavours on the table. Here are some top picks:

• Pinot Noir: A classic choice, Pinot Noir’s light-to-medium body, soft tannins, and earthy flavours make it a versatile wine for Thanksgiving. Its bright cherry and cranberry notes harmonize well with turkey and complement the savoury elements of stuffing and roasted vegetables.
• Zinfandel: For a more robust option, Zinfandel brings spice, dark fruit, and a touch of sweetness, making it a great match for dishes like sweet potatoes or glazed ham. Its jammy and peppery notes also pair well with turkey, especially if you’re serving it with a rich gravy.
• Montepulciano: This often-overlooked red offers vibrant fruit, spice, and floral notes, making it an ideal companion for the varied flavors of Thanksgiving. Grenache is perfect for those who want a wine with a bit more body but without the tannic intensity of heavier reds like Cabernet Sauvignon.

4. Rosé: A Year-Round Favourite

While rosé is often associated with summer, it’s a fantastic year-round wine, especially for Thanksgiving. With the fruitiness of a red wine and the crispness of a white, rosé offers the best of both worlds. It’s an excellent pairing for lighter dishes like turkey or sides with fresh herbs. Opt for a dry rosé for a versatile and crowd-pleasing option.

Dessert Wines: The Perfect Ending

No Thanksgiving feast is complete without dessert, and wine can play a key role here too. From pumpkin pie to pecan pie, sweet wines enhance the dessert experience:

• Port: A classic choice, especially for pecan pie or rich chocolate desserts, port is a fortified wine with bold flavours of dried fruit, nuts, and caramel.
• Icewine: For a more elegant finish, Icewine offers honeyed notes and flavours of apricot and peach. Its sweetness pairs well with fruit-based desserts like apple pie or even a cheese platter.

Our Wine Kits

Our line of wine kits encompasses many of the above-mentioned wines and more. So if you haven't tried them yet, place your order today. It may not be ready in time for Thanksgiving, but will definitely be ready for Christmas.

Don't forget about our exciting limited-release wines that have arrived in store (Golden State White and Golden State Red, Apres Dessert Wine kits, our Canadian selections) and those that will be arriving in the next few months (Passport Wine Kits). Order or Reserve yours today. Only while quantities last.