Thanksgiving Wine Pairings

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The first rule of thumb when choosing wine for any occasion is to choose wine you love. In my opinion, your favourite wine pairs with EVERYTHING. But, if you or your host are going to all of that trouble to prepare a delicious Thanksgiving meal, why not explore wines that are going to complement the cornucopia of flavours and textures of the feast?

Here is my list of suggested wines for your Thanksgiving celebration that are accessible, affordable and have received decent reviews (from me) and wine enthusiasts I trust. This wine list will not only provide you with a variety of wines to perfectly pair with the food on the table but it’s also going to cater to the diversity of wine drinkers who may be sitting around it.

If you prefer red wine, then Pinot Noir, Zinfandel or Beaujolais are your best bet. These reds are the perfect match because of their bold red fruit flavours, spicy, earthy undertones, soft tannins, and moderate acidity. 

My Top Picks for Thanksgiving Reds

Meiomi Pinot Noir

Meiomi makes a brilliant Pinot Noir that is fruity with hints of spicy oak and vanilla. This is an excellent, affordable wine.

MacMurray Pinot Noir

We recently gave this California Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley region a try and we really liked it. We found it very approachable and think it will pair nicely with our Thanksgiving dinner this year.

Bonterra Zinfandel

I am a Bonterra fan because they are an organic vineyard but, their wines are really good also. This would make an excellent option for your Thanksgiving dinner.

Joel Gott Zinfandel

This is an all-around good California Zin. It’s medium-bodied with acidic red fruit flavours that are complemented by a smooth finish. This wine is going to pair with anything.

Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages

Beaujolais is a light, dry red wine made from Gamay made in the most southern wine-growing region in France. This Beaujolais is light and fresh and very approachable. There are only a couple of Beaujolais that I have been able to find in my area but another Gamay based wine that has been recommended to me is the Cave Spring Gamay from Niagara, Canada.

If white is more your thing then consider pairing a Reisling, Guerztraminer or Sauvignon Blanc with your Thanksgiving meal. While I am more of a Chardonnay fan when it comes to white, a Chardonnay’s intensity can overpower the meal. If you’re committed to this white though, choose an unoaked Chardonnay.

My Top Picks for Thanksgiving Whites

See Ya Later Ranch Gewurztraminer

Oh Canada, how your wine made me eat crow this year. You will recall I dedicated the month of July, but really the entire summer, to Canadian wine and was pleasantly surprised at the quality of wine my dear country is producing. Brace yourself for a slightly higher price tag but a lot of the wine is well worth the few additional loonies. I’m not really a Gewurztraminer drinker but if you like sweet and tasty, this wine is for you.

Tinhorn Creek Gewurztraminer

Tinhorn Creek Vineyard was one of my exciting Canadian finds this year. Their Chardonnay and Oldfield Series Rosé quickly made their way to the top of my list this summer. We’ve also had their Cabernet Franc and it was delightful. I have picked up this Gewurztraminer for us to try on Thanksgiving day.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling

You know I had to sneak at least one wine from the Columbia Valley wine region onto my list and this Riesling from Chateau Ste. Michelle is an obvious choice. This is an easy to drink Riesling with flavours of apricot, pears, and grapefruit. It’s crisp and dry and is going to pair perfectly with your turkey dinner.

Avantgarde Riesling

Don’t let the gimmicky bottle deter you. This German Riesling is light and sweet and gets excellent reviews. Plus, it will be a great conversation piece on your dinner table.

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc

This is a classic Sauvignon Blanc that is affordable and reliable. You will not go wrong with this bottle of white on your table.

Finally, if you’re looking for a wine that will take you from the charcuterie straight through to the pumpkin pie, consider a sparkling wine. Sparkling wine has a level of acidity that is going to pair well with the range of salty and sweet flavours without overpowering your Thanksgiving meal. Plus, the bubbly adds a fun, festive flair to your dinner party. Here are a few bubblies that aren’t going to break the bank.

My Top Picks for Thanksgiving Sparkling

Freixenet Cava Cordon Negro Brut

This is more like a champagne than prosecco without the higher price tag. It is crisp, fruity and light with a dry finish.

Villa Teresa Prosecco

This sparkling from Prosecco, Italy is one of our favourites to drink on its own or in mimosas. It’s light, bubbly and refreshing with a nice floral bouquet.

Sokol Blosser Sparkling Rosé

A dry, fruit forward sparkling rosé made from the pinot noir grape. This is an excellent sparkling rosé if you can get your hands on it.

Pelee Island Lola Sparkling Rosé

This is a nice Canadian sparkling rosé with a fruity, crisp finish. It’s a bit dry but not as dry as champagne. The bottle is really pretty too.

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Not All Wine Glasses Are Created Equal

A good wine glass makes a huge difference. The Riedel VINUM Bordeaux Wine Glasses are one of our favourites. And while they are considered a Bordeaux glass, we find them to be great as a universal wine glass to enjoy your red or white wine. Plus, they are an excellent price on Amazon right now. When you buy 6 you get 2 more free! If you are planning to only serve white, these Riedel O Sauvignon Blanc/Riesling Wine Tumblers are an excellent choice. If you’ve decided to go with sparkling wine, I would definitely suggest the Reidel Champagne Glass. A champagne flute will definitely add to that festive flair of drinking bubbly with dinner.

Lazy Spoon Thanksgiving Wine List

After all of this research, here’s the roundup of wine Lazy Spoon Farms will be bringing to Thanksgiving dinner this year.

We will start with a sparkling wine like Villa Teresa Prosecco to enjoy with appetizers while we watch football and catch up with the family. When we sit down to dinner there will be a choice of the Tinhorn Creek Gewurztraminer, Avantgarde Riesling, or Joel Gott Zinfandel. As we finish off our bountiful meal with Fireball Pumpkin pie for dessert, we will open up a bottle of MacMurray Pinot Noir that will also transition us from the dinner table to the living room and, if weather permits, out to the fire pit.

We feel truly blessed to have many reasons to be grateful. Our life is so much richer with a loving family, great friends, delicious food and exceptional wine.