Sippin’ Advice: Thanksgiving Wine Pairing

Debating the best wine to serve with your Thanksgiving feast? Don’t fret; we asked The Breakers’ Master Sommelier Virginia Philip to share her wine pairing recommendations.

Here are Virginia’s top wine selections to sip with your Thanksgiving meal…

White: Gewurztraminer from California or Alsace, France

This medium bodied spicy white wine is a perfect match for Thanksgiving turkey or ham and all the accompaniments. The melon, honey and apple overtones in the wine work well with sweet potatoes or yams, stuffing, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole.

White: Pinot Gris from Alsace, France or Oregon

Another excellent pairing to accompany your Thanksgiving favorites, Pinot Gris is actually the same grape as the highly consumed Pinot Grigio. So what’s the difference? The taste. Pinot Grigio stylistically is more crisp and light. Pinot Gris, grown in these warmer climates, takes on a more medium bodied weight. The complexity shifts to more intense flavors of Bosque pear, peach and apricot.

Red: Cru Beaujolais or Beaujolais-Villages from Burgundy, France

This light bodied red wine is a perfect fit for lighter fare such as turkey. Jammy Jolly Rancher flavors of red strawberry, cherry and raspberry compliment the hint of earth in the wine. Cru Beaujolais, the higher end of the two wines, can easily taste like red burgundy.

Red: Grenache from USA, France or Australia (or called Garnacha from Spain)

Another delicious red, this varietal is rich and lush with soft, spicy notes of candied red apple, lush plum and bright cherry. A Grenache blend—such as a Côtes du Rhône from France, Betts & Scholl from Australia or Bonny Doon’s from California—packs tons of juicy ripe fruits and will work well with both turkey and side dishes. 

From our family to yours, wishing you a
delicious day and a wonderful Thanksgiving!