Looking to pair some outstanding wines with your mouth-watering Thanksgiving feast? Here's some great suggestions from PRP Wine's National Wine Educator, Kevin Brunette. If any of these wines peak your fancy, contact me and I can stock you up for the holidays!
Deepwood Cellars Zinfandel
Zinfandel could very well be the #1 All-American Thanksgiving wine choice given that it was once the most planted variety in California (prior to the Prohibition era). Here’s how this wine will behave when paired with food:
Mercurey Vielles Vignes Burgundy/Pinot Noir (old vine)
Pinot Noir is the fine-wine lover’s #1 pick for Thanksgiving, which is due (in large part) to the grape’s prestigious pedigree tracing back to Burgundy, France. A great pick for classic Thanksgiving dishes with simple spicing (salt + pepper) or cream based dishes like creamy mashed potatoes or casserole.
Pieroth Blue Cuvee, Sekt, Demi-sec
This is a wine consultant’s must-have wine for Thanksgiving because, for a w/c, you can’t really start a meal without a splash of some sparkling wine. Here’s why:
Chevalier de Bayard (aka "Chevy Red")
Chevy will be the PRPophiles #1 choice for Thanksgiving wine due to its popularity within our company. Chevy is made with Grenache, Cinsault, and Carignan in Hérault, France which has a lot of similarities to Beaujolais (a wine generally made of the Gamay grape in Beaujolais just south of Burgundy, France)
Rhône Blends (GSM Blends)
PRP wines of yesteryear Côtes du Rhône and Châteauneuf de Pape, and currently Angel's Drop Red Blend, Tres Magi and Poeme are close to the same blend. This is the wine collector’s top pick for Thanksgiving because bottles are usually best served after aging (anywhere from 4–10 years). A GSM Blend contains Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre as its main ingredients.
Casa Nueva Sauvignon Blanc
If you feature brussel sprouts or green beans prevalently in your meal, consider a lean, herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc as a highlight wine pairing.. Here’s why:
Amarone della Valpolicella, Barbera Appassimento, Intensio, or Puglia Rosso Vino Passito
If you’re featuring ham as your main dish this year, the rich dried-cherry and chocolately wines of Valpolicella are amazing. Here’s why:
Pieroth Brauneberger Kurfürstlay Kabinett Riesling
When it comes to the best white wine for Thanksgiving dinner, nothing beats a glass of Riesling. I even give a glass or two to my turkey before I cook it!
Deepwood Cellars Zinfandel
Zinfandel could very well be the #1 All-American Thanksgiving wine choice given that it was once the most planted variety in California (prior to the Prohibition era). Here’s how this wine will behave when paired with food:
- It will amplify Thanksgiving spices such as clove, cinnamon, and allspice. • It often adds a touch of smokiness to the taste profile.
- It’s typically bolder and richer (higher alcohol) and thus, pairs well with dark meat turkey.
Mercurey Vielles Vignes Burgundy/Pinot Noir (old vine)
Pinot Noir is the fine-wine lover’s #1 pick for Thanksgiving, which is due (in large part) to the grape’s prestigious pedigree tracing back to Burgundy, France. A great pick for classic Thanksgiving dishes with simple spicing (salt + pepper) or cream based dishes like creamy mashed potatoes or casserole.
- Pinot works well with both dark and white meat turkey.
- It will do great to accentuate cranberry-like flavors.
Pieroth Blue Cuvee, Sekt, Demi-sec
This is a wine consultant’s must-have wine for Thanksgiving because, for a w/c, you can’t really start a meal without a splash of some sparkling wine. Here’s why:
- A great choice for a pre-Thanksgiving aperitif.
- It’s bold enough to pair alongside dinner.
- Its citrus, toast and stone fruit flavors accentuate the cranberry flavors in the dish.
- It acts as a palate cleanser to rich gravies and meats.
Chevalier de Bayard (aka "Chevy Red")
Chevy will be the PRPophiles #1 choice for Thanksgiving wine due to its popularity within our company. Chevy is made with Grenache, Cinsault, and Carignan in Hérault, France which has a lot of similarities to Beaujolais (a wine generally made of the Gamay grape in Beaujolais just south of Burgundy, France)
- It pairs exceptionally well with wild rice, salads, roasted squash, and cranberries.
- It balances Thanksgiving dinners that have a high sweetness factor (yams, etc.) with Chevy’s savory and fruity quality.
- Its lighter, less tannic style works well with white meat turkey.
Rhône Blends (GSM Blends)
PRP wines of yesteryear Côtes du Rhône and Châteauneuf de Pape, and currently Angel's Drop Red Blend, Tres Magi and Poeme are close to the same blend. This is the wine collector’s top pick for Thanksgiving because bottles are usually best served after aging (anywhere from 4–10 years). A GSM Blend contains Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre as its main ingredients.
- The bolder blending varieties of Mourvèdre and Syrah make this wine pair well with smoked turkey.
- The tertiary flavors of fig or dried berries from a properly aged GSM Blend match well with roasted squash and stuffing.
- The earthy and meaty quality of the wine accentuates the savory quality of turkey gravy.
Casa Nueva Sauvignon Blanc
If you feature brussel sprouts or green beans prevalently in your meal, consider a lean, herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc as a highlight wine pairing.. Here’s why:
- It pairs exceptionally well with green bean casserole, brussel sprouts, and roast asparagus.
- It acts as a palate cleanser to rich gravies and meats.
Amarone della Valpolicella, Barbera Appassimento, Intensio, or Puglia Rosso Vino Passito
If you’re featuring ham as your main dish this year, the rich dried-cherry and chocolately wines of Valpolicella are amazing. Here’s why:
- Its redolent cherry flavors accentuate the sweetness of ham.
- Its moderate acidity acts as a palate cleanser, which is ideal for complementing rich meats and gravies.
- Its dried fruit aromas of fig and raisins add to the harvest taste palate.
Pieroth Brauneberger Kurfürstlay Kabinett Riesling
When it comes to the best white wine for Thanksgiving dinner, nothing beats a glass of Riesling. I even give a glass or two to my turkey before I cook it!
- Bright acidity tingles through all the fat in the gravy, stuffing, potatoes, yams and the richness of spice in cranberry sauce.
- Every sip feels like hitting the reset button on your palate so you can stand to take another bite of dark meat. Disagree? I dare you to order a case and try it just to prove me wrong, you’ll be happy you did!
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