The Perfect Thanksgiving Day Wines

What’s a delicious Thanksgiving feast without the perfect Thanksgiving day wine? With all that delicious food and everybody gathered round the table, a good bottle of wine could be the thing that ties it all together. Instinct or tradition may have you reaching for the best bottle of red wine you can find for the occasion, but it doesn’t always have to be red! The right kind of wine can elevate your holiday meal and make each bite more memorable. Let’s explore some wine choices that will suit all tastes and dishes at your Thanksgiving table.

Choosing the right Thanksgiving day wine

As it is when choosing wines to pair with a meal, the first thing you need to know is what kind of dishes will be served.

Thanksgiving dinner makes it easier to choose a wine because the traditional dishes at the table will remain mostly the same. However, sometimes the starters, mains, and desserts won’t carry the same rich flavour profiles. With this in mind, it’s best to pick wines that are versatile and can complement a wide variety of dishes.

When you go to wine store, find a bottle with balanced acidity, moderate levels of tannin, and fruity or earthy flavours. Thanksgiving dishes are already so decadent, so you want a wine that won’t overpower them!

Sparkling wines for Thanksgiving

You can choose to start the festivities by serving a glass of sparkling wine. Champagne and Prosecco brings a lightness to the table that can also lighten up the mood.

Sparkling wine will go great with your starters or appetizers. You can even serve up a sparkling rosé if you want to add a little color to start off dinner. These wines are often lighter in alcohol content, making them the perfect start to your Thanksgiving celebrations.

White wines for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving dishes like turkey and stuffing deserve a wine that can offset that richness without outshining the food’s flavours.

If you’re looking to serve the turkey with white wine, Chardonnay is an ideal choice. Go for an unoaked wine to avoid overpowering tastes.

You can also opt for a Sauvignon Blanc. This wine contains a bright acidity with notes of citrus and herbs, allowing it to pair well with vegetable dishes like green bean casserole and mashed potatoes.

Sometimes it’s also nice to have a little sweetness between bites. For this purpose, Riesling is a delightful Thanksgiving day wine. It’s the perfect balance between sweetness and acidity, making it a versatile option for the varied flavours you’d have on your plate.

Red wines for Thanksgiving

For a wine that holds up against the hearty dishes on the table, choose between a wide aray of reds.

Pinot Noir is a classic Thanksgiving wine choice. It’s light-to-medium bodied and pairs wonderfully with turkey and gravy without adding too much richness. Its vibrant fruit notes and earthy undertones enhance the food rather than overwhelm it.

If you’re looking to balance the stuffing and cranberry sauce with the right wine, try the red Zinfandel. It has rich, jammy flavours that complements dishes with bold spices, bringing a touch of warmth to the meal.

Finally, pick up a bottle of Merlot or Grenache if you want a fuller-bodied wine. These wines are lush and fruity with smooth tannins, handling a variety of food textures and tastes on a Thanksgiving table.

Closing Thanksgiving with dessert wine

A well-chosen dessert wine will perfectly close out a Thanksgiving dinner. Pick a dessert wine with your dessert dishes in mind.

If you’re serving pumpkin pie, consider pairing it with a light Moscato or Riesling to add just the right amount of sweetness to accompany the spice.

For pecan pie or chocolate-based desserts, a rich dessert wine like Port would complement the fattiness nicely. Port has bold flavours and a high alcohol content, bringing out the richness in nutty and chocolatey desserts.

In addition to considering the food being served, don’t forget to also consider your guests’ preferences. It’s not necessary to stick to only one type of wine for the whole night. A well-rounded selection ensures  that every taste bud is catered to and every dish has its own perfect pair.

Thanksgiving is all about gratitude, family, and togetherness, so don’t be afraid to experiment with your Thanksgiving day wine choices. Trying new wines can add excitement to the holiday and even create new traditions. Whether you’re sticking with tried-and-true favourites or opting for something different, the right Thanksgiving wine will make the day even more memorable.