The Traditionalists Guide to: Thanksgiving Dinner Wine Pairings
Thanksgiving dinner is a classic meal. It is hard to look at a Turkey next to a bowl of stuffing and not associate it with this yearly feast. When planning wine for Thanksgiving most people air on the side of safe and go with a Cabernet. I am not saying this is wrong but if you are walking in the door with a Green Bean casserole you probably should have a Sancerre in your other hand. Here are a few suggestions for your last minute run to the store this evening.
I look forward to a glass of Beaujolais Nouveau every Thanksgiving. The light-heartedness of the wine is a perfect aperitif to the large meal ahead. I would never suggest spending more than 10-14 dollars on a bottle of this juice. You would be best saving your investment for the wine that will go best with your sweeter dishes ahead.
Joseph Drouhin Beaujolais Nouveau 2016 $12.99
Terres Dorees Beaujolais Nouveau 2016 $17.99
Available at South Lyndale Liquors
Most wine shops will have this stacked in boxes towards the cash register this time of year.
The Brown Sugar Caramelized Sweet Potatoes:
When serving a sweet dish a common rule of thumb is to let your wine be sweeter than the dish itself. An ounce or two of Sauternes or demi-sec Champagne would be a real crowd pleaser. Throwing in an unexpected wine is a great way to shake up the monotony of tannic reds and start conversations.
A. Margaine Demi-Sec Traditionelle NV $49.99
Ch. Latour Blanche 2010 375 ml $44.99
The Green Bean Casserole:
Maybe this is your favorite dish that Mom always makes. Maybe when you look at it you can’t believe it has become a staple in your family but when you taste it you feel nostalgic. Either way it is not going anywhere any time soon on the menu. You probably should just embrace the dish and get a Sancerre- at least this bottle will nice to look at opposite the green monochromatic palette.
Lucien Crochet Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc 2014 $34.99
Turkey is classic, Bordeaux is classic. A Right Bank selection will carry well into the cranberry sauce and heaviness of the stuffing. Merlot is so similar to Cabernet that if your aunt puts up a fuss feel free to just let her think she is drinking a Cabernet dominated blend.
Ch. Saint-Andre Corbin 2014 $23.49
Made slightly different in every kitchen and sometimes transported from a plastic container to a dish to look homemade. Having a pour of a Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc based digestif is enough to distract your perfect Cousin from realizing you bought your pie at supermarket.
Château Les Arroucats Sainte Croix du Mont 2010 $16.99