Friendsgiving Food & Wine Pairing

Playing around with Thanksgiving wine pairings is such a fun way to make the holiday extra memorable. Food and wine pairing is a flexible art form.

Feeling adventurous? Try something new and see what you discover! Want to stick to the classics? That sounds good too. At the end of the day, the holiday is about thanks, and one thing we’re definitely thankful for is wine!

Appetizer: Cranberry and Goat Cheese Bruschetta

Wine Pairing: Reserve Viognier

Playing around with Thanksgiving wine pairings is a fun way to make the holiday extra memorable. Sweet, herbaceous and zesty: this cranberry goat cheese bruschetta with garlic and herbs is a wonderful start to the holiday season. The soft texture and sharp flavor of the goat cheese plus the bright cranberries and the herbs all pair well with a dry white wine. The Reserve Viognier, with rich and creamy texture is an excellent pairing with cheeses like goat cheese, and the subtle aromatics add to the sharp tang of the cranberries. 

Main Course:  Turkey

Wine Pairing: Roussanne

The turkey, the star of the show, the reason we all are here! A salty, savory slice of turkey should be paired with a wine that can balance and enhance its flavor. The Roussae is the ideal companion because the creamy texture and fruity flavors offer a refreshing finish. Serve this pairing early in order to prep your pallet for more delicious flavors, sugary confections and more wine pairings!  

Side Dish:  Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

Wine Pairing:  Cabernet Sauvignon 

Nothing says comfort food like mashed potatoes and gravy! When looking for the perfect wine to accompany this starchy side, there is no better choice than Cabernet Sauvignon. Mashed potatoes and gravy are rich and creamy. Cabernet Sauvignon has the body, structure, and flavor to stand up to a heavier dish. The smooth tannins of our Cabernet Sauvignon work together with the heaviness of the potatoes and gravy. 

Side Dish:  Stuffing

Wine Pairing: Montepulciano

Whether you cook your stuffing in the bird or bake your dressing on the side, it’s a holiday must-have. There's no shortage of ways to make this crowd-pleasing classic. Montepulciano brings beautiful autumnal herbs like rosemary and time with tart red fruit. It's more complex, but graciously bows to the cornucopia of flavors at a traditional Thanksgiving meal. The prevalent peppery notes of Petite Sirah partner well with herb-infused stuffing and both white and dark turkey meat.

Dessert:  Pumpkin Pie

Wine Pairing:  Dry Riesling 

Pumpkin pie is a recipe filled with nostalgia, a creamy combination of sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and custardy filling, baked in a homemade pie crust and topped with a dollop of whipped cream. The refreshing crispness of a Dry Riesling is the perfect palate cleanser after a big meal. As you shift from dinner to dessert, a bright Riesling offers a freshness and a crisp acidity which nicely contrasts the heavy meal you just completed. This wine works well with the spicy smoothness of pumpkin pie, offering an ideal balance to the sweetness of the slice.