Thanksgiving Wine Pairing: Mostly for You and Some for the Food

If you’re anything like me wine is generally your favorite dish at Thanksgiving. Don’t get me wrong, I love turkey, sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, green beans, mashed potatoes, and of course cranberry everything. But nothing makes the meal like the wines that pair with those dishes – and those wines that help us socialize with friends and family. There are so many options that make for wonderful pairings at Thanksgiving. Here’s what I’m serving – mostly small producers from Northern California – matched with more broadly available selections that you can find in most of your local retailers.

While I want Champagne and sparkling wine to be the only thing on my table (more on this in a future post), I can’t imagine getting together with a group of people and not having bubbles in our glasses. I love Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs for this occasion. At $35 a bottle it’s a touch pricey, but it serves as the quintessential aperitif wine – and if you didn’t serve any other wine with dinner, you’d be set. That said, you’ve got to have still wines because nothing makes dry turkey more palatable than good wine.

Rosé

2017 Reeve Rosé of Pinot Noir

I can’t explain in words how much I love this wine beyond “Yummmm.” Reeve consistently hits home runs with their Rosé, and this vintage is no different. It’s loaded with mouth-watering rhubarb and strawberry notes. This wine is as kick-ass as its winemaker and winery team. $25.

2017 Miraval Côtes de Provence Rosé

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s estate wine project Miraval is always a crowd pleaser – and you can find it just about everywhere. Pronounced raspberry, peach, and strawberry notes make this an easy choice to satisfy almost any palate. $22.

Chardonnay

2014 Hirsch Vineyards Chardonnay

This is not your everyday Chardonnay. The 2014 Hirsch Vineyards Chardonnay constantly evolves in the glass with a golden straw color and offers apricots, almonds, hazelnuts, and fresh green hay on the bouquet with flinty minerality and stone fruit on the palate. Unreal. $75.

2017 Rombauer Carneros Chardonnay

There’s minerality and there’s butter – and this gateway wine leans on its silky, buttery qualities that have made it famous throughout the country. Stick this next to turkey, gravy, popovers, or a Friday night and you’ve got a perfect pairing. $32.

Pinot Noir

2015 Patz & Hall Alder Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir

Don’t share this wine. This should be your wine. Decant it. Keep it hidden. Break it out when Aunt Sally keeps asking you why you’re still single. Expressively unique with strawberry compote, ripe raspberry jam, and a luscious mouthfeel punctuated with striking acidity, you’ll only want to talk to this beauty at the party. $80.

2016 Hess Collection “Select” Central Coast Pinot Noir

You know this from my California wine month post. You might also see a selection of this wine with a teal label (while a little different, both are great options). This is the quintessential Thanksgiving table wine – or for your turkey (or portobello mushroom) sandwich at lunch. Undertones of pomegranate and sour cherries are accented by white pepper and subtle oak. $17.

All of these wines are excellent options for Thanksgiving – whether you want to pour them to pair with the food on your table or to deal with the friends and family around it. And just like that, we’ll be on to talking Cabernet, Merlot, and wines that make the Christmas season even more festive. Cheers to Thanksgiving, my wino friends!