Thanksgiving is the best time of year for gathering together with family and friends to make some of the most fun and unforgettable memories. Everyone looks forward to a table of warm, delectable foods, tantalizing sweet treats, and more football than one day can handle. Since we’re in the business of sharing with you the best of wine country we thought we’d put together some of our favorite wine pairings!
Appetizer
Mumm Napa
8445 Silverado Trail
Rutherford, CA 94573
(707) 967-7700
Start your gathering off by greeting your guests with a delicious bubbly. Mumm Napa’s Brut Prestige Extended Tirage is a rich and lively sparkler with flavors of honey and fig, green apples and bread dough that are sure to please the palate. Ferrari Carano’s Apple, Mango and Crab Meat “Salsa” with Tortilla Chips is a perfect plate to set out while guests mingle before sitting down for dinner. Create a festive spread in the kitchen, pour a flute of bubbles and enjoy the sweetness of the fruits and the bubbles mix with the saltiness of the crabs and tortilla chips! Impress your guests with this themed, easy-to-make treat.
Insider Tip: Sparkling wine should be well chilled―30 minutes in ice water or 3 hours in the refrigerator should do the trick―and served in slender, flute-shaped glasses.
The First Course
Hall Wines
401 St Helena Hwy,
St Helena, CA 94574
(707) 967-2626
Pumpkin soup is always a traditional favorite to welcome the holiday meal. It is creamy, slightly sweet and aromatic. Hall Wine’s Coconut Curry Pumpkin Soup adds a special touch to a cherished recipe. Pair with a medium-bodied dry or off-dry white. Hall Wine’s 2006 Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc is a great option to complement the soup’s sweetness, but also round out its spicy elements.
Insider Tip: Sauvignon Blanc is an incredibly food-friendly wine: The bright acidity refreshes the palate, the citrus flavors can accompany a vast range of foods, it’s not overly heavy and has a varied though distinctive flavor profile. Because of its green flavors Sauvignon Blanc is also great match with green vegetables such as asparagus, artichoke, spinach and bell peppers, the likes of which are difficult to match with most other wines.
The Main Course and Sides
What is Thanksgiving without a delicious, juicy turkey to carve into? Who can serve turkey without cornbread dressing? And no holiday meal is complete without a flavorful green bean casserole and mashed potatoes to round out the table. Let’s start off with our the big guns. Thanks to our friends, the Temecula Winegrowers in Temecula Valley have shared with us a delicious Honey-Brined Tuscan Herb Turkey Paired with Chardonnay.
Robert Mondavi Winery
7801 St. Helena Highway
Oakville, CA, 94562
(888) 766-6328
An oaky Chardonnay is a popular option for holiday tables and it can be a great addition to rich and creamy dishes or fish. However, an unoaked Chardonnay would be a better bet for your turkey day cuisine, as each dish presents its own character of flavor and charm. The absence of oak will help to elevate your food, rather than overpower it. Robert Mondavi Winery’s 2014 Unoaked Chardonnay has festive aromas of orange peel and Anjou pear, with hints of white grapefruit, lemon zest and almonds on the palate.
Insider Tip: The most fundamental characteristic of chardonnay is that it should be served COLD! Chardonnay served at room temperature, while palatable, is far too bold.
Sides To Consider:
Cornbread Stuffing with Corn, Bacon and Herbs
Green Bean Casserole
Three Ways To Reinvent Your Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Chateau St. Jean
8555 Sonoma Highway
Kenwood CA. 95452
(707) 257-5784
Pair your main course with options that work well with the flavors in your food. Dinner tables are usually stocked with a red and white wine for guests to choose from. Pinot Noir is a great go-to red wine. It has great acidity, yet is low in tannins, making it a great match for the seasonings in your meats and side dishes. The cool climate 2014 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir from Chateau St. Jean suits well with cherry, strawberry and black tea flavors.
Insider Tip: Other great pairings for Pinot Noir- Salmon, duck, pork, mushrooms, artisanal cheese.
The Dessert
Spicy Vines
441 Healdsburg Ave,
Healdsburg, CA 95448
(707) 927-1065
From cakes and pies to cookies and cupcakes, Thanksgiving is one of the best times of the year to indulge in your sweet tooth desires. No time like the present to whip up a piping hot pumpkin pie. Pumpkin Panna Cotta is a great spin on a classic favorite. A classic Zinfandel will make a fun pairing with this treat, try Spicy Vines Zin Master, 2013 Russian River Valley Zinfandel. This wine offers flavors of boysenberries, raspberries and blackberries and finishes with light pepper, chocolate and natural oak spices and is a perfect paring for this fantastic dessert.
Insider Tip: Know your crowd, tailor your wine selections to suit the preferences of your guests. Keep a bottle or two of those crowd favorites on hand and you’ll be sure to satisfy every guest.
Shundria Reed is the blogger of Southern Girl in a Wine World. She spends most of her time exploring the ins and outs of California wine life.
Author
WineCountry Collective
WineCountry is made up of a dedicated and passionate team of wine, food, and travel aficionados. We diligently explore regions, both near and far, to curate the best ideas and resources. Whether you're musing over your next wine escapade, planning a romantic weekend away, embracing the Wine Country lifestyle at home, or are simply looking to be entertained for a moment, trust us to be your comprehensive guide.