Thanksgiving Wine Pairing Recommendations

red, white and sparkling wine recommendations!

One of my favorite holidays of the year, Thanksgiving, is almost upon us! As I mentioned a few days ago in my homemade apple pie recipe, I have already been busy preparing for the holiday. To me, Thanksgiving has always been about getting together with loved ones and enjoying the time spent with them. The more the merrier! Of course, when it comes to Thanksgiving dinner, we have a pretty standard menu: turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, stuffing, apple pie..you know the drill! However, for many- the challenging part is the wine pairings! Today, I'll break down a little wine pairing information for you so you know exactly which wines to serve with your Thanksgiving meal!

When serving wine with Thanksgiving, there are two general things you will want from your wine:

• Versatility: You will want a very versatile wine that can go with many flavors and tastes. Because of the many different dishes served on Thanksgiving, a wine that paris well with most things and does not overpower the dishes is essential.
• Energetic: Because your guests will be eating a large meal with turkey (which we all know makes you tired!), you will want a wine that is refreshing and energetic. Ideally, the wine will be slightly acidic and promote salivation. Wines that are lower in alcohol content are also a good idea- highly alcoholic wines may just put your guests to sleep!

When you are selecting wines, I would recommend not overwhelming your guests and simply picking both a red and white (or sparkling) wine. Here are some great recommendations I have!

Apothic Red 2012 Blend

Apothic Red is a California blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is very fruit-driven, with dark fruit flavors and hints of spice. With the fruity flavors, hints of spice, and soft taste, Apothic Red will pair well with your Thanksgiving meal and can be served with just about anything.

If you don't have Apothic Red available, most California Pinot Noirs or grenache-based blends will go well with Thanksgiving. These wines tend to be fruity enough to complement the food, yet light enough not to overpower it. 

Lurton Les Fumées Blanches 2012 Sauvignon Blanc

Lurton Les Fumées Blanches is a very traditional Sauvignon Blanc produced in France. It is smooth with citrus fruit flavors and a high level of acidity. The acidity is a perfect pairing for Thanksgiving meal, as it will complement the flavors, making your mouth water and you craving more. 

When pairing white wine with Thanksgiving dinner, I would look into either Sauvignon Blancs or German Rieslings. Each of these acidic wines will refresh the palate and leave a clean finish. 

Mionetto Prosecco grapes are grown in the Veneto region of Italy, harvested in September, and fermented in stainless steel tanks. The crisp wine offers slight frizzante, golden apple tastes, and acidic flavors. Mionetto Prosecco is dry but fruity and fizzy, pairing very well with Thanksgiving menus.

For other sparkling wines to pair with Thanksgiving meals, I would recommend brut or extra dry (slightly sweet) sparkling wines. I tend to lean towards extra dry Proseccos, as they are slightly bubbly but not overpowering.

And with that, there you have it for wine recommendations for your Thanksgiving meal! What will you be serving on Thanksgiving?