On the show Carmen and I talk about the terrific selection of Thanksgiving Wines you can find at Circle Liquor Store in Somers Point New Jersey.
The tricky part about pairing wine with Thanksgiving is that there are so many different foods to pair with it, savory turkey, rich gravy, tart cranberry sauce, sweet, and spiced pies. I have reviewed all the wonderful wines I’ve shared with my husband, Carmen, and Nancy over the past year or so and chosen a selection of sparkling, white, rosé, and red wines to pair with the varied flavors of Thanksgiving.
Sparkling wines are not only celebratory, but they go particularly well with a fried turkey. (More about fried turkey here.) Moscato is a lightly sparkling, sweet wine. Circle Liquors has more than sixty types of Moscato ranging in price from $7 to $20. The budget-friendly ones tend to be the mass-produced varieties from companies like Barefoot and Crane Lake. At the higher end you’ll find quality wines from Piedmont like this one from La Spinetta which is still very affordable!
Affordable Crowd Pleasers:
- Bricco Quaglia Moscato D’Asti from La Spinetta –Lightly fizzy with small delicate bubbles. Floral and citrusy on the nose with flavors of mandarin orange, lime, and minerals. The sweetness is balanced by bright acidity.
- Lucien Albrecht Crémant – Crémant is sparkling wine from France that is not from the Champagne region and usually more affordable. Lucien Albrecht is an Alsatian winemaker who makes a line of different regional varietals.
- Vilarnau Cava – Cava is sparkling wine from the Barcelona/Catalonia area of Spain.
- Bele Casel Prosecco – sparkling wine usually from the Italian northeaster regions of Veneto and Fruili
- Roderer Estate Brut Anderson Valley California – From the French maker of Cristal Champagne. One of our favorites!
Kick it up a notch:
- Veuve Clicquot Champagne (yellow label) – Generally a bit pricy but worth it for a special occasion.
Oaky Chardonnay pairs well with turkey, especially with gravy, creamy mashed potatoes, and rich stuffing.
Affordable Crowd Pleasers:
- Daou Chardonnay
- Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay – Russian River Valley, Aromatic notes of pineapple, apple blossom, and oak spice. Flavors of ripe apple and pear with bright acidity and softness on the palate. Sophisticated layer of barrel spice on the finish.
Kick it up a notch:
- Justin Chardonnay
- Cakebread Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc is a lighter option that pairs well with herbed turkey breast, roasted vegetables, and salads. Here are two reasonably priced French wines from the Eastern Loire Valley.
- Antoine de la Farge Sancerre
- Domaine Cailbourdin Pouilly Fume
Lightly sweet whites work well with fruit-based pies and desserts.
- Barton & Guistier Vouvray – Made from Chenin Blanc. Vouvray is another French white from the Loire Valley with a touch of sweetness. The honeyed flavors pair well with pumpkin pie.
- Dr. Loosen Riesling
- Lucien Albrecht Riesling
- Lucien Albrecht Gewurztraminer
If your Thanksgiving appetizers include seafood or soft cheeses, try pairing with a Rosé.
- Chateau d’Esclans Whispering Angel Rosé – Classic Provencal style. Dry yet fruity, floral on the nose with red berry flavors.
Pinot Noir is a classic choice of red wine to pair with Thanksgiving dinner due to its medium body, high acidity notes of cherry and raspberry and earthy qualities that harmonize with turkey and vegetable based stuffings.
Affordable Crowd Pleasers:
- La Crema Monterey -Fruit forward, medium to full body
- Meiomi Sonoma Coast – Very fruity and full bodied for pinot noir.
- Erath Willamette Valley – From Oregon, a bit lighter in body yet still fruit forward.
- Duckhorn Pinot Noir – Anderson Valley
Kick it up a notch:
- Anthill Farms Pinot Noir – Mendocino County just north of Sonoma.
Beaujolais is a classic Thanksgiving red from France.
- Barton & Guistier Beaujolais Villages – Made from the Gamay grape. It is light, fruity and unoaked.
In addition to pairing with food, it’s important to drink what you like. So if big reds are your vibe, here are a couple of budget-friendly crowd pleasers.
- Bogle Old Vines Zinfandel
- Cline Cellars Zinfandel, California
- Cline Cellars Ancient Vines from Contra Costa County
Boozy Lifestyle© 