Selecting the Perfect Wine to go with Thanksgiving Dinner

With the Thanksgiving holiday upon us,  we have realized that it’s been some time since our last article and it wasn’t from a lack of trying.  We apologize to our readers, but there were personal issues that needed our immediate attention.

Thanksgiving is a good time for giving “Thanks” to those we love and friendships we cherish.  As bottles of wine are purchased and taken to homes or parties to pair with a good meal, quite often they are bought more for affordability or what may the host would like to share with their guests in mind.  The solution for that host would be to have a wine tasting with the meal to be served prior to the event.  So lets get try some pairing possibilities that could be served with your Thanksgiving Feast, shall we?

Patrick was told many times that he should purchase a Chardonnay to go with the turkey.  Lisa was told she should buy Sparkling Wines.  Clearly decent advise, but it doesn’t take into account how the turkey was prepared–roasted, honey roasted, deep fried, or with what marinade.  Today’s Chardonnays have as much character as any other wine. With wine makers implementing a more defined taste with having it stored only in steel or to a more buttery taste with having it stored in French Oak, you get a wide range of tastes that compliment most everyone’s pallet. Turkeys can be everything from dry to sweet and juicy.  It’s good to test the Chardonnay you have in mind ahead of time.  Our favorite Chardonnay of choice is the 2007 Red Ink Chardonnay by Sullivan Vineyards.  A number of wines pairs well with a turkey dinner.  A nice crisp but balanced table white wine, Vino Blanco by Wooden Valley would be excellent, yet simple.  A very nice dry sparkling wine would be the Chandon Sparkling Rosé.

Our favorite variety of Pinot Noirs that would complement a more full bodied turkey dinner would be the 2007 Pinot Noir by Hendry, the 2008 Pinot Noir by Foppiano Vineyards, or the 2007 Pinot Noir, Peter’s Vineyard by Kokomo Winery just to name a few.  Whether it be the Turkey basted to perfection, the stuffing that was roasted inside it, the mashed potatoes, green beans and/or the sweet potatoes. A good Pinot would pair perfectly with all of that.

These are just two ways to go. There are retro or old wines that may surprise you with how well it pairs with your meal, depending on what you chose. One such surprising wine are the Rosés. With a Rosé,  you will need to know what grapes were used in the making of the blended wine.   De La Montanya’s 2009 Rosé consists a blend  of Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Viognier, a perfect combination of dryness, sweetness and body to pair nicely with a Thanksgiving dinner. On the other hand Patrick’s favorite Rosé, the 2009 Judd Hill Rose which is Cabernet based, is entirely to vibrant for a turkey dinner.  Again, as with any wine, we suggest sampling a bottle ahead of time.

Remember, one important thing to think about is making sure to judge who will be drinking and allow about 2½ glasses per person to be consumed and purchase accordingly.  That wine will more then likely be consumed throughout the meal and then onto that dessert of pumpkin pie served with a 2008 Honig Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc.  Make sure that you spend time mingling with your guests and drink plenty of water afterward as thankfully everyone travels safely home.

Tastipairings.com would like to take this opportunity to say Happy Thanksgiving and we are most humbled and thankful of your support.

Below are pictures from a Thanksgiving dinner that Lisa prepared last week.