We've gathered 8 wine pairings for the perfect Thanksgiving meal
As Thanksgiving approaches, the air is filled with the tantalizing aroma of roasted turkey, savory stuffing, and sweet pumpkin pie—an irresistible invitation to gather with loved ones and indulge in a feast of fall flavors. Elevate your holiday celebration with the perfect wine pairings that not only complement the richness of traditional Thanksgiving dishes but also add a touch of elegance to your table. In this blog post, follow Anderson's own Sommelier Ryan as he takes you on a journey through the art of Thanksgiving wine pairings, exploring a curated selection that will turn your festive meal into a symphony of flavors. Whether you're a seasoned wine enthusiast or just beginning to explore the world of vines, join us as we uncork the secrets to creating a memorable Thanksgiving experience—one sip at a time."
Ryan's Tip: If you’re hosting people over the long weekend or just having everyone over for dinner, oftentimes one bottle just isn’t enough. With roughly four and a half glasses of wine in a bottle, 5 wine drinkers around a table can make quick work of that! Thanksgiving is a great opportunity to try a variety of different wines that all pair with different dishes. Everyone can try them together with each dish or one at a time, but each section of your plate will have its own liquid backup singers."
COURSE: Turkey - Light meat, dark meat, roasted, broasted, or deep-fried, the Thanksgiving and Christmas favorite
PAIRINGS: Rioja/Beaujolais/Pinot Noir/Etna Rosso/
SAVE
2019 Domaines Georges DuBoeuf Fleurie “Clos des Quatre Vents”
Region: Beaujolais, France
Grape: Gamay
Price: $22.99*
From the producer better known for the waves of easy-drinking Beaujolais Nouveau which comes out right about now every year, this is a different take. Just as Ford made the Pinto and the GT-40, so too does Georges DuBoeuf make some wonderful Beaujolais. This light garnet red has notes of black cherry, cranberry, even a little bit of allspice, as well as some subtle earthy notes and soft tannins. Not too big or too dry to overpower the turkey, but not so light it’s not there.
SPLURGE
2021 Sesti Rosso di Montalcino
Region: Tuscany, Italy
Grape: Sangiovese blend
Price: $42.99*
From the wine merchant Kermit Lynch, this beautiful bottle of wine seems like it should be too young and too heavy for turkey, with many other Italian red wines from the region seeming that way, and yet it is showing so fresh and gorgeous now with incredible red cherry, cranberry, and cedar notes, with tannins that are present but soft; a tremendously inviting wine.
COURSE: Stuffing/Green Bean casserole/Mashed Potatoes/Gravy
PAIRINGS: Chardonnay/White Burgundy/Pinot Grigio/White Rioja/Gruner Veltliner
SAVE
2022 Brunn Gruner Veltliner
Region: Niederosterreich, Austria
Grape: Gruner Veltliner
Price: $15.99*
Some wines are just built for being enjoyed for being enjoyable, and it’s never meant to get anymore complicated than that. This 1L bottle with a crown cap is a great bottle to go with anything full of veggies or carbs. Crisp, dry, with notes of green apple, pear, and white pepper, this is just a great wine to go with anything that needs washing down.
SPLURGE
2019 Thibault Liger Belair Bourgogne Blanc “Les Charmes”
Region: Burgundy, France
Grape: Chardonnay
Price: $37.99*
For a long time people really didn’t take well to the idea of “white Burgundy”, until they realized that white Burgundy meant “lightly” or “un-oaked Chardonnay”. Many have discovered that, from the right producer, the Chardonnays of France, and Burgundy in particular, are Chardonnays with a hint of oak, not oak with a hint of Chardonnay, or no hint of oak at all. This beautiful Chardonnay is 100% unoaked, aged in stainless steel for 14 months. Green and yellow apple, pear, lemon and lemon zest, and a fresh, clean finish make this a great wine to pair with your savory sides.
COURSE: Sweet potatoes/Candied yams/Carrots/Cranberry Relish
PAIRINGS: German Off-dry Riesling/Alsatian Whites/Chenin Blanc/Michigan Pinot Blanc
SAVE
2021 Thibault Henrion Domaine de la Treille Anjou Blanc
Region: Anjou, France
Grape: Chenin Blanc
Price: $15.99*
The Loire valley is home to many an under-appreciated wine region, and right in the middle is the home of castles and Chenin Blanc. From Thibault Henrion, this dry white wine comes with loads of fruit flavors; green and yellow apple, pear, and citrus fruits, even a slight hint of honey, but without so much acidity that it becomes overwhelming. Loire Valley wines are often appreciated for their wonderful minerality, like they made the wine using mineral water, and this one is no different.
SPLURGE
2018 Markus Molitor Haus Klosterberg Riesling
Region: Mosel, Germany
Grape: Riesling
Price: $27.99*
Markus Molitor does things a little differently than most people in the Mosel, starting with his white, green, and gold capsule system for the sweetness of the wine, and his *, **, and *** system for the ripeness of the grape, leading him to get more 100 point Rieslings in recent years than most producers get in a lifetime. This white capsule (Dry) Riesling is a wonderful introduction into crisp, dry, tart green apple, pear, lemon juice, lime juice, and tangerine, all with a juicy acidity that stands up wonderfully to all the sweeter sides.
COURSE: Dessert
PAIRING: German Dessert Riesling/Quarts de Chaume/Port/Madeira/Pineau des Charentes/Sauternes
SAVE
NV Baglio Baiata Alagna Marsala "Cremovo”
Region: Marsala, Italy
Grape: Marsala blend
Price: $16.99*
“Cremovo” is a very unique wine that fits Thanksgiving perfectly. A traditional Italian style, this sweet, caramelly wine is made from a base of sweet Marsala, but blended with fine egg yolk giving the wine a slight custard flavor which pairs wonderfully with Pumpkin Pie, candied Yams, and all manor of fall favorite desserts. Try this with crème brulee if you’re feeling fancy, or just plain old vanilla ice cream if you’re not!
SPLURGE
2019 Dr. Loosen Erdener Treppchen Riesling Auslese
Grape: Riesling
Price: $67.99*
Riesling runs the gauntlet from the driest of the dry wines to the sweetest you can find, but in the middle, right where “Auslese” likes to hang out, the wines can be extra special. Often people think “sweet” means “tastes mostly like sugar” but this wine is different. It’s sweet because it tastes like they condensed 4 regular sized bottles of wine down into one. Lemon curd, Lime curd, passion fruit, applesauce, honey, quince, mandarin zest and so many other flavors flood your senses to stay for a finish that lasts longer than your afternoon nap!
*prices subject to change
Have questions for our wine department?
Ryan and Dennis are available to answer any questions or provide customized recommendations for you. They've stocked our store with a selection ranging from value favorites to rare vintages - and they are happy to help you find what works for you!
email: wine@andersonsglenarbor.com
ph: (231) 334-3149