Thanksgiving is a perfect time to enjoy the company of family and friends over a delicious meal. Whether you prefer red, white, or sparkling wines, there is a wine to complement the rich and diverse flavours of this festive feast.

The traditional turkey meal, with all the trimmings, continues to be the most popular choice in my house. Turkey’s mild, succulent flavour makes it incredibly versatile for wine pairings. Because turkey pairs well with both red and white wines, you can choose based on your personal preference or the side dishes you’re serving alongside it.

Thanksgiving is a celebration of gratitude and togetherness, and what better way to initiate the festivities than with a glass of sparkling wine? Sparkling wines add a joyful touch to any gathering, whether served as an aperitif or throughout the meal. You can confidently serve the ever-so-popular Spanish sparkling wine, Cava. Sigura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava has citrus, apple, and brioche notes and fine bubbles. Its refreshing acidity and gentle bubbles make it a versatile wine for various dishes, from turkey to stuffing to roasted vegetables and even dessert! And it is $2.00 of until October 13.

If you are looking for just one wine to enjoy with your meal, Gérard Bertrand Côtes des Roses Art Edition Rosé 2023 is a light, dry rosé. With its crisp acidity and notes of red fruit, is a refreshing and versatile option to enjoy throughout the meal. The Côtes des Roses bottle is always pretty. This version displays Australian artist Morgan Jamieson’s depiction of the joie de vivre of southern France!

Pinot Noir is a classic pairing with roast turkey. Ontario’s very own Le Clos Jordanne Jordan Village Pinot Noir 2021 has a medium body with bright acidity and cherry flavours. This wine can stand also stand up to the sweet-tart flavours of cranberry sauce. Its earthy undertones complement stuffing containing mushrooms and herbs.

Le Clos Jordanne Jordan Village Pinot Noir 2021 is also an ideal match for grilled or baked salmon.

The light, fruity red wine from the Gamay grape, such as Beaujolais from France, has bright acidity and red berry flavours. It also pairs well with turkey and a selection of side dishes.

For white wine lovers, an oaked Chardonnay is an ideal match for turkey. The creamy texture and notes of butter in Niagara’s Bachelder L’Ardoise Niagara Chardonnay 2022 match the richness of roasted turkey and complement buttery mashed potatoes and gravy. This wine never lasts long, so shop early!

If you want something a bit livelier, a semi-dry Riesling offers a bright, refreshing acidity that cuts through the richness of the turkey and gravy. The subtle sweetness of our local Tawse Sketches Riesling 2022 pairs nicely with roasted root vegetables.

Stuffing is a favourite Thanksgiving side dish with its rich, herbaceous flavours from ingredients like sage, thyme, and sometimes sausage or mushrooms. Pairing wine with stuffing can be fun to bring out these earthy, savoury flavours. As indicated earlier, Pinot Noir, such as Le Clos Jordanne Village Pinot Noir 2022 is a natural companion for stuffing. For a more aromatic white wine option, try Gewürztraminer. The floral, spicy notes are a solid match for stuffing with herbs and sausage. Its slightly off-dry sweetness can pair well with both savoury and sweet stuffing varieties (such as those with apples or cranberries).

If your Thanksgiving table features ham, roast beef, pork or lamb instead of (or alongside) turkey, you’ll need a wine with a bit more weight and intensity.

Ham, with its sweet and salty flavour, pairs beautifully with Riesling. The sweetness and acidity of Niagara’s Tawse Sketches Riesling 2022 balance the salt and sweetness of a glazed ham.

Syrah, or its Australian counterpart, Shiraz, is a fantastic option for roast lamb. With its bold tannins, black pepper, and dark fruit notes, Syrah can match the lamb’s richness and enhance any roasted or caramelized vegetables on the side.

Known for bold tannins and rich flavour profile, Cabernet Sauvignon blends will pair with roast beef. From Portugal, Esporão Reserva Red 2020 dark fruit flavours—blackberry, cassis, and plum—are integrated with the spice, tobacco, and oak notes, making it an excellent match for roasted beef, grilled tenderloin and roasted vegetables.

Aromatic Viognier is a white wine, often brimming with stone fruit, honeysuckle, and spice. Viognier’s full-bodied texture and rich flavour profile make it an excellent companion for roasted pork with root vegetables.

Not a fan of big, heavy meaty meals? For those serving vegetarian dishes like roasted squash, Brussels sprouts, or sweet potatoes, the right wine can highlight the fall vegetables’ natural sweetness and earthy flavours.

The creamy texture of an oaked Chardonnay pairs wonderfully with rich vegetarian dishes, such as roasted butternut squash or a creamy pumpkin soup. Bachelder L’Ardoise Niagara Chardonnay 2022 apple and vanilla flavours enhance the sweet and nutty flavours of the vegetables.

If you prefer something crisper, Sauvignon Blanc’s zesty citrus and herbal notes pair well with green vegetables like Brussels sprouts, green beans, and salads with a vinaigrette. Its high acidity also works well with vegetable-forward casseroles or gratins.

No Thanksgiving feast is complete without dessert, and when it comes to wine pairings, you can either compete with the sweetness of the dessert or contrast it with something lighter and refreshing. I prefer to contrast it with a dry sparkling wine to act as a palate cleanser after the creaminess of pumpkin pie or the gooey richness of pecan pie. You can reintroduce Sigura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava to accomplish this!

Whether you’re a fan of bold reds, rich whites, or sparkling wines, there’s a perfect bottle waiting to complement your happy and memorable Thanksgiving!

Cheers!

Shari 🥂

I can be reached at sharispx@gmail.com

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