What Wine for Thanksgiving?

 

November 19, 2020

What Wine for Thanksgiving?

 

Thanksgiving is only a week away!  If you’re like me, you’ll be picking up your bottle of Thanksgiving wine Friday while you’re out running errands in preparation for the holiday.  Tucked between Target and the grocery store is a stop at my favorite wine shop.  But what to get? 

Big heavy reds, my favorite go-to for most special occasions, don’t traditionally go with poultry.  They’re best saved for Christmas or Christmas Eve to be served with red meat-based meals.  Are you looking for a special red wine to go with roast beef?  Cabernet Sauvignon is what you’re looking for. 

Turkey needs something a little lighter; a little more floral.  Don’t think white just because it’s poultry, however.  In my opinion, Chardonnay is also too heavy, especially if it’s oaked.  The woodiness of the flavor could be too much for a delicately cooked turkey (white or dark meat) and would overpower the bird.

My preference for Thanksgiving turkey is something light, slightly floral, and well balanced.  A nice Riesling would be my first choice.  The lightness of the wine will compliment the flavors of the turkey and sides rather than overpower.  I like to find a Germany Riesling, which you can usually find at any grocery store.

If you feel you must serve a red, give a good Pinot Noir a try.  Pinot is a lighter red with no oak to take away from the food dishes.  It can remain light and balanced while filling the need for red wine on the table.  A good Pinot Noir will have flavors of raspberry, cranberry, and light spices, making it a side dish of its own.  A Willamette Valley (Oregon) would be my first choice.

At the end of the day, pick a wine that makes you excited.  If you must have a Merlot because there’s a bottle you’re dying to try, drink Merlot.  There really is no wrong answer.