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2024 Thanksgiving Wine Pairings: Chris’s Picks
If there’s one thing we can all count on at Thanksgiving, it’s that everyone has their own opinions on… well, just about everything! So, when it comes to picking the perfect wines for the occasion, why not lean into the fun of it? This year we’re posting Matt, Nick, and Chris’s personal takes on the classic question: “What wines go best with Thanksgiving dinner?”, so check out all three!
For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved Thanksgiving Day! The brisk, cool air (hopefully not too warm or too cold), a day off from work or school, hours of football (played and watched), and the amazing food.
Since discovering and falling in love with wine, the day has only become more fun. But it can be a daunting task, with so many different flavors to consider: turkey (baste, baby, baste!), mashed potatoes (my mother-in-law adds sour cream and garlic to hers—amazing!), gravy (a must), stuffing (savory or a little sweet?). And then there’s dessert. I like pumpkin pie as much as the next person, but cherry pie is my all-time favorite.
So, instead of trying to find one wine to match all that food, I usually go with a few!
I’ve found a few go-to wines, perfect not only for Thanksgiving Day but for all of fall. I often enjoy these wines year-round, but I double down on them during the fall.
Enjoy the wine (especially) and the food!!
My White Wine Picks
Schloss Gobelsburg Gruner Veltliner Gobelsburg 2023
Gruner Veltliner: If there is a national grape of Austria this is it. Years ago I was tasting wine with a chef and mentioned that I was done drinking Gruner for the year at the end of summer. He was shocked! He taught me how great Gruner Veltliner goes with root vegetables. He grabbed a squash bisque and had me try that with wine… amazing. The dry, crisp, clean flavors of pear and apple were perfect with the earthiness of the bisque.
Chartron Et Trebuchet Bourgogne Hautes Cotes De Nuits Blanc 2020
White Burgundy: Thanksgiving is the perfect time to treat yourself to a great bottle of Chardonnay. In my mind, especially, from France. I find it goes great with the turkey but can handle almost every dish. I love it with the stuffing. I prefer going with a wine that doesn’t see a lot of new oak. That makes it easier to pair with the different flavors.
Poderi Vaiot Roero Arneis ‘Franco’ 2023
Arneis: Not very well known (but it should be!) Arneis is a white wine grape variety from Italy’s Piedmont region. I call it an “aromatic” white. It has great aromas of white flowers and flavors of pear and apricot. Dry with decent body it, too, pairs well with most Thanksgiving Day fare.
My Red Wine Picks
Stephane Aviron Moulin A Vent Vieilles Vignes 2022
Beaujolais: This is the perfect wine for the Fall! For a meal I’d steer clear of the Nouveau. I’m talking about real-deal Cru Beaujolais. These drink like lighter-styled Pinot Noir. But the Gamay is a little brighter and fresher. Think crushed fresh strawberries and raspberries. To me, it is perfect with just the turkey.
Gabin Et Felix Richoux Irancy 2019
Red Burgundy: I’d drink great red Burgundy every day if I could afford it! It’s a special day so grab a special wine. Pinot Noir and Thanksgiving are perfect together. That earthy tone from red Burgundy melds so well with much of the food. It’s important to let this one breath out for a bit, maybe even decant it if you have a decanter. And for a great red burg, this one is a steal.
Olga Raffault Chinon Les Picasses 2018
Chinon: Cabernet Franc is my second favorite varietal (I’m looking at you Sangiovese!). Chinon from the Loire Valley of France can be considered its ancestral birth-place. Cabernet Franc has an amazing note of fresh bell pepper in its aromas and flavors. That also helps it go great with many of the dishes. Surprisingly versatile and delicious! Here is one of my all-time favorites:
