Thanksgiving is just around the corner and we’ve pulled together a few of our favorite wines to pair with Thanksgiving dinner to give you some inspiration when you’re planning your own holiday meal. The most important thing to remember when it comes to pairing is there are no wrong answers! However if you’re seeking a little more insight into the wine and food pairing world, our general tricks of the trade are to think about your pairings in one of two ways, (1) like with likes or (2) opposites attract.
When it comes to pairing there are two general ways to approach it, pair a wine with a dish with similar flavor profiles so a peppery wine with a peppery dish for example which will elevate that characteristic in both but may mask some of the other flavors. The other approach is to compliment opposite flavor profiles, for example pairing a bright, crisp Dry Riesling with a savory, herbaceous, heavy plate of turkey, stuffing, potatoes and gravy. The bright crisp acidity will cut through the fat on the plate giving your palate some relief from the heavier flavors and offering some contrast to engage all of your taste buds. No matter which approach you choose, the end result will be magnificent because when you have good food and good wine you can never go wrong!
Every family is different, but in our house you are hard pressed to find a holiday or occasion that doesn’t start with a bottle of bubbly! There is something that just feels right about gathering your friends and family together and popping a bottle to commemorate the occasion! On a holiday—especially one that centers around food and the meal—it is nice to kick things off with a light, refreshing glass of sparkling to prep the pallet, toast the chef, and get everyone in a festive mood!
Sparkling is one of the great occasion wines which means you have lots of options when selecting the bottle. Looking for something light, crisp and easy to sip while preparing the meal? Grab a bottle of Suhru Brut! Looking for a delicious bottle to kick off the meal and raise a glass to? Go for a bottle of Lieb Estate Pinot Blanc! If you are looking for a sparkling to pair with the meal itself, why not pop a bottle of Lieb Estate Rosé which has all of the light refreshing flavors and a little added fruit dimension. However if you are looking for something really special to bookend the meal, we highly recommend our Lieb Estate Sparkling Reserve, which is truly something special!
Riesling is one of our favorite wines to pair with food because it is made in the dry style while still maintaining a light, fruity hint of sweetness which gives it a wide range of pairing options! Dry Riesling pairs beautifully with succulent, savory dishes like a holiday roast turkey as well as with sweeter, more indulgent dishes like homemade apple pie!
If you are looking for a white wine to have on your holiday table this year, look no further! Always a crowd pleaser, the bright acidity and crisp citrus notes on this wine make it a beautiful wine to pair with any holiday dinner. Try the Suhru Dry Riesling!
While maybe not the first wine style that comes to mind when you think “Holiday Dinner,” dry rosés are a beautiful addition to any holiday meal as they offer all of the the bright, refreshing qualities of a white wine while still maintaining a hint of the body and depth of flavor of a red.
Versatility is key when it comes to rosé! For all of the same reasons that you love a glass of rosé on a hot summer day (it’s bright, crisp, and refreshing), it makes an excellent addition to a holiday meal. Rosé provides that same bright, crisp, refreshing quality to the heavy, lavish meal you are about to enjoy.
While rosés can easily hold up to the full range of Thanksgiving dishes, some of our favorite pairings include homemade cranberry sauce, apple cake, and cranberry walnut brussels sprout salad. And in case you missed it, checkout our Fall Mulled Rosé Recipe, which is a great pre-dinner cocktail to kick off the holiday! Try the Suhru Rosé or Lieb Estate Sparkling Rosé for a bubbly little twist!
If ever there was a wine that we are excited to enjoy this holiday season this is it! Teroldego is a perfect pairing wine for the season! With all of those beautiful baking spice notes and those bright red fruit notes it pairs well with just about anything! A Northern Italian red grape varieties, Teroldego has rich red fruit notes with a soft finish, making it a wonderful red wine to serve during the holidays as it is a great wine for all of the wine lovers in your family, regardless of whether they prefer fuller-bodied heavier red wines or lighter, fruitier wines—Teroldego has something for everyone!
This wine pairs so well with so many dishes and flavors but a few tried and true favorites are walnut goat cheese pear salad and Moms brisket! From salads to meats with this one you really can’t go wrong. If you’re like me, the epitome of luxury is a glass of red wine with dessert, the number one thing I am most looking forward to this Thanksgiving is enjoying a glass of Teroldego with a big ol slice of homemade apple pie! Nothing more Thanksgiving than that! Try the Suhru Teroldego!
A classic holiday pairing, Cabernet Franc is often recommended to pair with Thanksgiving dinner. Cab Franc has those beautiful fruit notes as well as a light pepper spice which makes it such a wonderful wine for any holiday table. The white pepper notes play beautifully with a bolder meal while the brightness of the fruit cuts through those heavier flavors. Pair a glass of this with a roast turkey, stuffing and all the sides and you’ll be sitting pretty this holiday season! Try the Lieb Estate Cabernet Franc or Suhru Cabernet Franc—both excellent choices!