As we focus on giving thanks for family, friends, abundant opportunities, and our 135th harvest, we felt it only fitting to share some of our favorite Thanksgiving wine pairings and tips for choosing a wine to serve with your meal. A toast to 2018!
Tips for Pairing Wines with Thanksgiving Dinner
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Crisp Whites & Lighter-Bodied Wines With Lighter Dishes
A wine should add to a dish, not overpower it (with a few exceptions, of course), which is why lighter dishes like lemon garlic green beans, garden salad, or a seasonal fruit platter deserve lighter-bodied wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé of Petite Sirah, or Pinot Noir.
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Rich Reds with Bolder Dishes
While a wine shouldn’t overpower a dish, the same goes for a dish not overpowering a wine. With big, bold dishes, aim to pair with a wine that is equally big and bold. Roasted potatoes with bacon and brussel sprouts, or Mac N’ Bacon Blue Cheese are examples of big dishes ready for a big wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Petite Sirah.
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Sweet, Sparkling, or Creamy Wines with Dessert
Sweet, creamy, delicious desserts can pair with a variety of wines, but if you aim to keep it simple for the holidays, serve a sweet or sparkling wine with dessert. A sweet wine will taste much less sweet when paired with a bite of pie, while a sparkling wine can help cut through the sweetness. For a slice of pecan pie with whipped cream or a serving of pumpkin cheesecake, aim to serve Port, Brut Sparkling, Viognier, or Chardonnay.
Thanksgiving Wine Pairings
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Turkey and Chardonnay
Turkey is considered a lighter meat since it has more subtle flavors with slight nuances. Turkey is not only perfect for picky eaters, but is also perfect for a food-friendly Chardonnay that can add complexity and spice. The 2016 Concannon Vineyard Chardonnay is rich and supple, boasting stone fruit and toasted oak flavors that build on the simplicity of roasted Turkey.
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Mashed Potatoes and Pinot Noir
A dish that isn’t too bold in flavor, such as the creamy, salty goodness of mashed potatoes, deserves a medium-bodied wine that won’t overpower the dish, but will add plenty of flavor. Our 2015 Reserve Russian River Pinot Noir enhances the earthy notes of the dish while adding herb and spice flavors. This pairing enhances both dishes in a simple, but spectacular way.
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Stuffing and Grenache
A Thanksgiving classic! Where there is deliciously cooked stuffing there should be a complementary glass of wine. Que our 2015 Reserve Grenache. Stuffing is wonderfully complex in flavor and texture, which is why it needs a wine that can meet this complexity. The earthy spices of the stuffing pair perfectly with the similar flavors in this medium-bodied wine. Give it a try, you won’t regret it.
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Bacon Brussel Sprouts and Cabernet Sauvignon
Salty, fatty, and with a bit of a bite, a serving of bacon brussel sprouts deserves a wine that can take it on and add a little something extra. The 2015 Concannon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is the perfect complement because it adds complexity without overpowering the dish. Rich flavors of dark red fruits, bold tannins, and a long-finish make this wine an exceptional pairing for this powerful dish.
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Pumpkin Pie and Viognier
Chock full of spices and rich with cream, pumpkin pie goes exceptionally well with a chilled glass of our 2016 Reserve Viognier. Bursting with delightful aromatics and flavors of honey, pear, and apricot, this wine is the perfect complement to a warm slice of pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream.
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Candied Yams and Viognier
Candied yams, a sweet favorite that rocks similar spices to pumpkin pie. The sweet, sweet goodness of candied yams deserves a wine that can tone down the sweet and elevate the spice, which is why the 2016 Reserve Viognier is the perfect companion.
