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) 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 a viognier 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 2016 Special Selection Chardonnay; $25.00
Danza Del Sol Winery, 2017 Pinot Grigio; $30.00
Briar Rose Winery 2017 Estate Viognier; $28.00
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 2014 Castelleto Sangiovese; $40.00
Leoness Cellars 2016 Cellar Selection Zinfandel; $42.00
Doffo Vineyards 2016 Syrah; $62.00
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, 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon; $40.00
Monte De Oro Winery 2015 Merlot; $32.00
Wiens 2017 Reserve Tempranillo; $65.00
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 a sweet moscato, where red delicious apples, kiwi , pears, and apricots come together nicely with honeysuckle and jasmine undertones.
Somerset Winery 2018 Muscat; $23.00
South Coast Winery Black Jack Port; 18.00
Robert Renzoni Vineyards 2017 Moscato; $22
One Meal, One Wine
On a wine-buying budget? Or just 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 2017 Chenin Blanc; $20.95
Miramonte Winery 2018 Rosé; $28.00
Falkner Winery 2018 Sauvignon Blanc; $27.95
Palumbo Family Vineyards & Winery 2014 “50/50” Blend; 45.00
