Thanksgiving is right around the corner and even the most thoroughly prepared chef can benefit from pairing the perfect wine with their dinner table offerings. The right blend of aromatic notes, tannins and acids can reveal the subtle nuances of your food, transforming it from an excellent dish to an extraordinary one. So, after spending weeks planning and preparing this family party as flawlessly as possible, the last thing you want is to combine your fried turkey with any dusty, ash-covered bottle that your oldest cousin dug out of their basement. We’ve put together our special list of the best wines for Thanksgiving. Hand selecting a variety of different reds and whites to match any meal in any settings. All available to be home delivered to your door in time for Thanksgiving.
With such a variety of meats, salads, side dishes, and sauces on the table, pairing the right wine can be tricky, but don’t worry, you can still find a the best wine for Thanksgiving here in our handy guide. Take a seat and have a scroll through our hand selected wine list for your lunch and dinner during this special holiday time.
How to choose the best wine for Thanksgiving
When we think about selecting wines, especially for a special occassion, we want to make the right choice. Price isn’t always a good measure of the quality of the wine, however it does play a role. The best way to help you select the best wine for Thanksgiving is to think about the “Three P’s” – Price, Preference, Pairing. Keep this in mind when searching for wine and drop the stack the odds in your favor to choose the winning wine each time.
Price
The price you are willing to pay (or not) for a bottle of wine is a determining factor in choosing the right wine for you. The days when you could only buy a “good” bottle of wine for more than 40 dollars are gone. In today’s market there are many great wines for 10 dollars, some for a much lower price. So rest assured that you will not have to put down a pack of money to try different wines. A decent wine trader will be able to give you many offers in the price range you specify.
Preference
Preferences can change over time, but let them be filled by those who drink them with your. If you spend a happy hour together drinking with friends, your preferences may lean towards red and white safety wines. For people who are not used to heavier and fuller wines, give them a break – buy a softer Merlot or Pinot Noir (sometimes called “starting with red”). For whites who don’t like the refreshing Gevurztraminer?
If you want to try a new variety, talking to a local wine merchant about the wines, styles and labels you liked in the past and asking for specific recommendations should give enough guidance for another great discovery.
If you are new to wines and are looking for some suggestions, then talk to your local wine dealer about wines you have enjoyed in the past and ask for specific recommendations:
Try Riesling, Gewurztraminer or Muscat dessert wine if the sweetest wines suit your taste.
If you prefer a dry white wine, then look for Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris or Sauvignon Blanc.
As for red wines, starting with Gamay, Pinot Noir for light tannins and more advanced fruits, or Merlot and Zinfandel for a more intense wine with thick dark fruits.
If you are looking for a meter of difficulty, go with the great Californian Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah (or Shiraz, if from Australia).
Pairing
If you are looking for wine specifically for a couple with dinner tonight, then consider the key ingredients. Will it be white or red meat? Will you use fresh or dried herbs, and of what kind? Will it be spicy or fruity? These questions can play a key role in deciding which wines go well with which dishes. In general, white wines are good for enhancing the light taste of a dish, while red wines are often a little more complementary to the dish. Keep in mind that the food/wine ratio is 99% of personal preference and 1% of science.