On Thanksgiving, Versatility is Key

Choosing the wines for Thanksgiving dinner can seem like a monumental task. How do you find the perfect pairing for the multitude of dishes that make their way to the Thanksgiving table? Don’t worry, there are many wines that will pair with everything from Brussels sprouts to turkey. The key is to find wines that are versatile enough to pair with such a wide range of flavors. Our favorite Thanksgiving wines are great food wines like Riesling and Pinot Noir. And don’t forget the bubbly. It’s always a great addition to the Thanksgiving festivities!

Here are a few of our Thanksgiving wine recommendations...mostly local but a couple from farther away that we just can't resist.

Domaine Carneros Brut Rose – loaded with great fruity and floral characteristics, this sparkler pairs perfectly with almost any appetizer and its vibrant pink color helps set a festive mood. $36

Dr. Loosen Riesling – this is always a favorite of ours, especially for Thanksgiving. You can’t beat the quality for the price (about $13 a bottle) and it pairs well with almost any dish. $13

Trefethen Riesling - Riesling is relatively hard to come by in the Napa Valley. Trefethen is one of only a handful of Napa Valley wineries making a riesling from about 20 acres planted in the Oak Knoll district. This is a dry riesling with great mineral flavors and some nice hints of citrus and tropical fruit. $22

Ponzi Pinot Gris – we’d recommend staying away from heavier California or Italian Pinot Grigio for Thanksgiving but the lightness and slightly tart characteristics of Oregon Pinot Gris, make a good pairing. Recently we enjoyed the Ponzi Pinot Gris. $18

La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir - this is a classic Sonoma Pinot Noir and a great value at around $24 a bottle. This should be a relatively easy wine to find and will make a great Thanksgiving pairing.

Etude Pinot Noir – Pinot Noir is a great turkey pairing and Carneros Pinot is no exception. We love Etude Pinot Noir and this wine will definitely be making its way to our table. $40

Wine Suggestions by Linzi