Thanksgiving Wine Survival Guide 🦃
At this point we should all have a plan of what you’re doing for Thanksgiving dinner this year. Thanksgiving really isn’t about the food as it’s really about people gathering together to enjoy each other and be thankful... and wine. Because, these are all beautiful things and worth slowing down for and enjoying.Â
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Now there is always going to be some variability in the food at Thanksgiving. The turkey may get a little dry, Aunt Kay may bring the marshmallow jello salad, and those brusselsprouts may not end up as caramelized as you would have wished. None of this is a problem though as long as you have great wine. So, we have looked to the experts for advice:
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According to Wine Folly, Five wines are better than one: Pick a wine from each of the 4 categories listed above, then add some sparkling wine to start the night off right. With 5 wines floating around, you’ve suddenly just upgraded your Thanksgiving into a 5-course wine dinner. You are awesome.
Here are some quick links to the main styles that match well with Thanksgiving, so you can get more information:
More Tips for Wines + Thanksgiving
Sparkling wine is the ultimate ice-breaker. Fill people’s glasses right when they walk in the door (even if you’re not the host). You’ll notice people will stand more upright, act proper, and smile more while holding a glass of sparkling wine. It’s awesome to observe. Also, you don’t have to bother with flutes, just use the same wine glasses you use with dinner.
On red wine: Because you’ll be having turkey and roasted vegetables, it’s great to pick wines with not too much tannin so they can help quench the dry, roasty flavors in the food. Light-bodied wines like Pinot Noir are an obvious winner, but there are several medium-bodied red wines that can do the trick as well, including Zinfandel, Grenache, Merlot and Carignan.
Dessert wines are Thanksgiving’s best friend. Lean towards the white and tawny-colored dessert wines such as Tawny Port, Madeira, and Late Harvest Riesling. These match wonderfully with cinnamon-spiced and caramel-driven desserts. Plus, you can always just drink your dessert.
Conclusion
Thanksgiving is a time to appreciate the slower moments with love, laughter, and the people that matter most. And what better way to take it all in than with a glass of wine.
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Blessings to you, Mamas.Â
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