With Thanksgiving just days away, it’s time to finish menu planning. Our favorite part is the pairing process. With autumn being a winemakers’ favorite season, there’s almost too much to choose from. This article is here to help you figure out what wines to pair with Thanksgiving dinner. With the seemingly endless wine variety and varietals, you’re not alone if you feel a bit stuck. Keep on reading and your holiday dinner will go off without a hitch.
Pinot Noir – The Classic Choice
Pinot Noir could be considered by many to be the perfect wine pairing for Thanksgiving. Its classic dark fruit notes are an ideal complement to the wholesome, woodsy flavors that accompany the colder months of the year here in PA. The medium body of Pinot Noir lends itself especially well to the delicate, slightly gamey quality of a roast turkey as it won’t overpower your meal, nor will it go unnoticed. Pinot Noir will not only pair well with the meat of your dinner, but it will also accompany your side dishes perfectly. Warm autumn vegetables like sweet potatoes and squashes are able to shine through the tart kick that Pinot Noir provides, letting no flavor get lost along the way.
Rosé – The Fun Option
If you’re looking for a wine that will go nicely with appetizers and hor d’oeuvres, you can stop when you reach the Rosé section of your local wine store. The delicate, bright notes of Rosé won’t interrupt the subtle quality of soft cheeses or crackers. There’s always someone in the room down for a glass or two, or three of Rosé, and that is where one of its biggest attractors: low alcohol content. You can sip this beautiful wine all day without getting too rowdy. It’s a perfect middleground for the palates of your red drinkers, as well as your white drinkers.
Grüner Veltliner – Change It Up
Grüner Veltliner originally came to fruition in Austria, a region known for creating grape varietals that result in a tangy, effervescent wine. It compliments just about every common food item at the holiday table, so it can be enjoyed at any point during the meal. Those bubbly qualities we mentioned pair very well with dairy-based desserts like cheesecake. It has an herbaceous bite that can’t be resisted by the most knowledgeable wino, or the pickiest drinker.
Riesling – The MVP
When you want a wine that can pair effortlessly with just about anything, try to remember Riesling. The bright and slightly sweet notes of citrus, apple, and honey complement foods as rich as a glazed turkey and foods as easygoing as appetizers. Similar to the Veltliner mentioned earlier, Riesling is a crisp drink that can cut through heavy, meaty flavors and even act as a palate cleanser. Originally from Germany, this wine comes in varying degrees of sweetness. Which one you choose largely depends on your taste. If you’re a fan of dry wines, however, don’t be afraid of trying the sweeter varieties of Riesling as they’re rarely ‘sickly sweet’ — they’re absolutely delightful and refreshing.
Pennsylvania Wine Association
The PWA is a non-profit trade association and an advocate on behalf of our state’s growing wine industry. We’re here to educate the public about the amazing wine that is being produced across Pennsylvania, and to support the winemakers that are spearheading this movement. As you plan your wine pairings this holiday season, visit our website or download our mobile app for the most up-to-date resources on Pennsylvania Wine.
Show my Itinerary