Wines for Thanksgiving Dinner

Pairing wine with Thanksgiving dinner is surprisingly easy. The turkey is the culinary centerpiece, but the real stars of the show are all the fixings, from granny’s special stuffing, to can-shaped cranberry jelly jiggling away in a shallow dish (that’s how I like to serve it, no lies). The wine you choose to serve this Thanksgiving should match the whole range of dishes rather than just the turkey. The go-to grapes here are typically pinot noir for the red and riesling for the white.

Pinot noir, due to its lighter tannins but good acids, and riesling — both dry and sweet versions — have good acidity and pleasing flavours. Notice a trend? You should. Acidity in wines balance well against oil, fat and richer foods. Mashed potatoes, gravy and stuffing all benefit from a little acid in your wine.

You want to avoid lots of tannins in the red since they can overwhelm the flavours of the dishes, so cabernet sauvignon, shiraz and malbec are best avoided. For the whites, a little sweetness is okay, but ideally a drier style of riesling will have everything you need to match up well against the meal.

Here are a few picks to get you started.

The Main Course

Averill Creek Pinot Noir

A surprisingly good pinot noir from Vancouver Island, its juicy fruits abound with raspberries, cherries and spice leading the way. Very tasty, and something just a little different for your table. $34

Burrowing Owl Pinot Noir

A warmer climate style of pinot noir, with plum and cherry fruits, a little herb and alcohol heat. Showing some tannins as well, making this a good pinot noir for fans of bigger red wine. $45.

CedarCreek Pinot Noir

The wines of CedarCreek always represent good value and the entry pinot noir is a good choice indeed. Bold fruits, earthiness and barnyard characters, and a nice vibrancy on the palate should shine with everything from dinner to leftovers. $25

Tantalus Riesling

A seriously good riesling from the Okanagan, it’s got it all — crisp acids, flavours you want from riesling and a textbook example of mineral character in white wine. Damn good. $29

Tawse Sketches of Niagara Riesling

One of my favourite rieslings made in Canada, it’s a little easy, a little racy and a little flirty. This riesling is a crowd pleaser, but serious enough to impress even the jaded. $19

Dirty Laundry Riesling

A drier, crisper style of riesling with plenty of tart apple and tropical fruits. It’s exceptionally food-friendly and the evocative labels are a good conversation starter as well. Easily pairs with seafood or fusion cuisine if turkey isn’t your thing. $24

The Dessert Course

If you are looking for an after-dinner tipple that will go with dessert (in case your guests aren’t glowing enough), your options are open and varied.

Pumpkin Pie

Reach for the tawny port here or dare to dream with a little off-dry to sweeter Madeira (Malmsey or Bual) or a sweeter sherry such as oloroso or a good cream sherry. These wines are also good with a little ice cream either as an accompaniment or drizzled overtop.

Something Chocolaty

Sweeter Madeira, ruby style port, sherry, or if you must (since someone insisted on bringing an Aussie shiraz to dinner so you may as well serve it), a full-flavoured red wine would also work well. This is also a perfect time to try something like a raspberry-based fruit wine or even a moscato d’asti.

Cheese and Nuts

Port and port-style wines are the right picks here. When in doubt (or for mixed gatherings), I pick tawny port. Not quite as intense as ruby or vintage ports, they are tasty with both mixed nuts and cheese platters. If you don’t finish the bottle, it will keep till Christmas in a pinch.

For more turkey wine suggestions, check out these great value pinot noirs.

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Photo by ClaraDon