Temecula Wine Pairings For Your Thanksgiving Table
In just a few weeks, your tummy will be rumbling and your mouth salivating with the promise of the once-a-year feast that is Thanksgiving. America’s biggest food holiday serves up the chance to do some serious (and seriously fun) wine and food pairing. Here in Temecula Valley, Southern California’s Wine Country, we’ve got the perfect wine pairings to go with each Thanksgiving course. No matter what your budget, this simple guide will have your friends and family giving thanks to you for making their holiday meal extra special.
Light Appetizers + Mellow Whites
These bright yet mellow whites pair well with lighter dishes to kick off your Thanksgiving meal. The floral notes of light white wine complement a fall salad of pears, blue cheese and walnuts; a selection of fruit and cheeses match nicely with a Chardonnay; and light Pinot Grigio will sing next to your pumpkin soup.
Callaway Vineyard & Winery 2012 Special Selection Chardonnay; $25.00
Danza Del Sol Winery 2015 Pinot Grigio; $28.00 (1st Annual People’s Choice Blind Tasting Award Winner)
Monte De Oro Winery 2015 Nostimo; $23.00 (1st Annual People’s Choice Blind Tasting Award Winner)
Herbacious Side Dishes + Spicy Reds
The spicy notes derived from these unique wine grapes pair especially well with stuffings and gravies seasoned with holiday herbs like sage, thyme and rosemary. Having a vegetarian Thanksgiving? These wines work well with earthy mushroom and winter squash dishes too!
Mount Palomar Shorty’s Bistro Red; $20.00
Avensole 2012 Second Block Zinfandel; $60.95 (1st Annual People’s Choice Blind Tasting Award Winner)
Doffo Winery 2013 Syrah; $58.00
Poultry & Meats + Bold Reds
Whether it’s wine or food, everyone looks forward to the main course. The dark fruit flavors in these big reds will enhance similar flavors in your herb-rubbed turkey or peppered roasts. Whether you’re serving poultry, lamb or beef, all three are bold enough to stand up to a rich meat course.
Baily Winery 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon; $30.00
Fazeli Cellars 2012 Khayyam; $58.00
Wiens Family Cellars 2014 Bare Knuckle Petite Sirah; $48.00
Dessert + Sweet Wines
Your Thanksgiving meal isn’t complete without dessert, and no dessert is complete without wine – at least that’s how we feel! Apple pies and pear tarts are practically made to pair with Ponte’s sweet moscato, where red delicious apples, kiwi , pears, and apricots come together nicely with honeysuckle and jasmine undertones. Or try the People’s Choice Blind Tasting award winner, Briar Rose’s Estate Riesling with your fruit tarts or pies. And for a special treat, buy a bottle of Renzoni port to pair with a fudgy chocolate cake.
Briar Rose 2013 Estate Riesling; $25.00 (1st Annual People’s Choice Blind Tasting Award Winner)
Ponte Winery 2015 Moscato; $28.00
Robert Renzoni Paradiso Port; $49.00
One Meal, One Wine
Looking to simplify your evening by serving one wine from start to finish? Any of these four, well-priced wines fit the bill. Each is lighter on the palate, with only subtle hints of sweetness making them suitable to drink from appetizers all the way to dessert. Bon appetit!
Maurice Car’rie 2015 Chenin Blanc; $20.95
Miramonte Winery 2014 Grenache Blanc; $28.95
Falkner Winery 2015 Sauvignon Blanc; $24.95
South Coast Winery Ruby Cuvee; $22.00
