By: Dan Dixon
For foodies there is no other day on the calendar that we approach with more apprehension and excitement than Thanksgiving. It is an opportunity to exhibit our culinary skills and at the same time enjoy a couple days off with our families. But for all that, it can also be a chaotic day filled with cooking deadlines, cranky siblings, and noise, lots and lots of noise. And, of course, there is also the question of what to drink with dinner. Fortunately, that can be one of the easier choices of the day.
With the magnificent myriad of wine varieties and the even greater number of differences in tastes of your diners, it can be a daunting task trying to choose wine that will pair with the contents of the table and satisfy its occupants. What follows will hopefully help you make decisions that will accomplish both.
First of all, decide what will be the focus of your table. Is the bird the star or will it play an accompanying role to the sides? That will be the first step to deciding what type of wine to choose. If the turkey is your focus, the classic pairing is Gewürztraminer. Its slight sweetness pairs well with the turkey’s texture and it has a note of spice that complements the seasoned bird. Some good examples are Fetzer, a California Gewurtz, and Robertson from South Africa. Another type that does well with the turkey is Pinot Gris from Oregon. It has a subtle fruit that does well with the turkey and is crisp enough to be palate cleansing. Some good Pinot Gris are A to Z and Acrobat. There are some good reds for Thanksgiving also. Beaujolais and Pinot Noir are great wines that will not only be good with the turkey, but with Aunt Flo’s baked ham that she brought even though you told her it was not necessary. Some Pinot Noir or Beaujolais to try are Louis Latour Beaujolais and Belle Glos Meomi Pinot Noir.
If sides are more of the focus of the meal then you can choose one of the above wines or there are other options that will work as well. The sides are usually heavily spiced and seasoned. Zinfandel is an awesome option in that case. It is usually very fruit forward and has spice notes in its own right so it pairs very well with Thanksgiving. Some good examples are Klinker Brick and Orin Swift’s Saldo. Another wine that is great with Thanksgiving is Cotes-du-Rhone. It has dark fruit flavors tempered with a subtle earthiness that is just amazing with the fall flavors of Thanksgiving. Try Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone or Parallel 45.
In conclusion, whether you focus on the turkey or the sides, there are plenty of wine options out there. You may miss part of the game, burn the dressing, or need a break from Aunt Flo’s pestering you about when you are having more children, but you will have just the right tasty beverage to complement your meal.
If you’re in the Brentwood or Franklin, TN area, swing by Grapevine and lets explore wines together. Salud!
