Wine is an irreplaceable part of the festive Thanksgiving dinner, but what are the best wines to serve with your traditional turkey roast? In this article we’ll introduce you to some of the best fine wines to serve at your family Thanksgiving dinner.
Table of Contents
Pinot Noir
A good ruby red Pinot Noir is a wine lover’s go-to for Thanksgiving and it’s easy to see why. Pinot noir is a grape with a prestigious reputation that can be traced back to the old wine region of Burgundy France and as such it produces the best quality of wine that is packed with red fruit flavours and notes of spice. Pinot is easy to pair with food and goes amazingly well with classic, simple Thanksgiving dishes such as creamy mash, casserole, and of course the star of the show – the turkey.
Zinfandel
If you’re wanting to go more local with your Thanksgiving wine choice then a Californian Zinfandel is definitely our top choice. Due to its quite peppery character this wine will amplify the taste of spices normally used in festive meals such as cinnamon, allspice or clove. Zinfandel is a bold and rich red which is why it pairs best with darker cuts of turkey meat. With its smoky notes, it also pairs outstandingly well with traditional smoked ham or other smoked meats.
Rosé
A trendy blush Rosé is another must-have at the Thanksgiving dinner table. Rosé wines have a fresh fruity character which makes them great for a starter wine or a palate cleanser between the rich sauces and meat. The fruity flavours of white currant and raspberry can also help accentuate the zingyness of Thanksgiving staples such as the traditional cranberry sauce.
Champagne
A special occasion like this one simply calls for a festive fizz like Champagne or Brut. A sparkling wine is the perfect aperitif before the big dinner, however, because of its bold character it can also be served alongside dinner. The bright bubbly acidity of a classic sparkler makes it an amazing pairing for fried food which can normally come across as quite heavy.
Beaujolais
Beaujolais is a favourite of sommeliers all around the country due to its exceptionally well balanced flavour profile. This wine is made out of 100% gamay grapes, which shares a lot of similarities with everyone’s favourite red Pinot Noir. This savoury red is an outstanding choice that will pair well with Thanksgiving sides that are high in sugars and carbs such as roasted butternut squash, yam casserole, rice or sweet potato pie.
Sauvignon Blanc
Although reds are certainly more festive, a crisp white is a must at the dinner table. A people-pleaser white such as Sauvignon Blanc is the perfect option for the job. This fresh white with its bright acidity is perfect for accompanying green beans, brussel sprouts, roasted asparagus or other fresh veggies. It can also help cleanse your palate from all the heavy flavours of gravy and meat.
Choosing the Best Thanksgiving Wines
When selecting the perfect wine to serve at the Thanksgiving table, it is important to choose good quality to match this festive occasion. To get the best fine wine online, always shop from certified and trustworthy retailers, who will deliver the best quality wine at reasonable prices.