Thanksgiving dinner in and of itself is a meal full of personality and contrast. Think about it, when else do you (or would you) mesh together on one heaping plate roasted turkey, cranberry sauce, moist bread which has been cooked inside of a bird, and buttered whipped potatoes. Oh ya, and toss on some candied yams with marshmallows and go to town. If you look around your table you see faces that sometimes only come together this one night a year. The players can change - people bring boyfriends, girlfriends turn into wives, and kids get older. And whether you are eating Grandma’s mashed potatoes, Dad’s stuffing, or Betty Crocker Pumpkin Pie, you need some tasty wine to mark the occasion.
Designate one person in the family to be in charge of wine. Let’s pretend just for the sake of this article, that it’s you. Pinot Noir and Riesling are two notorious Thanksgiving favorites. Grandma may only drink Chardonnay and Dad may only drink Merlot, but as the Beatles say, we can’t always get what we want. Choose versatile wines that you like, so that at the very least if you can’t please your family, you will be happy. Light bodied, refreshing, not overwhelming, pleasant, affordable, and memorable - these qualities will unite your food, wine, and guests with a golden thread of contentment.
Have it be as easy as a click of a button. See below for some of my current favorites for your holiday meal.
2005 Lafond Pinot Noir Arita Hills Vineyard
Inherent complexity, light, ethereal, refined, and elegant. One of our more “feminine” Pinots. A great match with savory foods.
2007 Santa Barbara Winery Riesling, 1.7% Residual Sugar
Our Rieslings are designated by their degree of sweetness as measured by the residual sugar content (sugars leftover after fermentation has completed). They range from dry to a sweeter style (we even have a Late Harvest dessert Riesling). The 1.7 is off-dry with just the right touch of sweetness to meld with the caramelized quality of the turkey after a day in the oven.
2007 Santa Barbara Winery Rose of Syrah
Think Rose’s are just for summertime sipping? Think again. Our dry style Rose is light while still retaining great body and freshness. The citrus elements interwoven with red strawberries work very nicely when served chilled with your massive plate of food.
If you have a favorite wine that you just can’t stand to part from for the night, since when did I become the expert? Listen to your own rules!
Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery
Many thanks for this informative Thanksgiving wine article, we have referred to it on our site! Happy holidays!