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, California 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 compliment 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 2010 Special Selection Chardonnay; $18.00
Danza Del Sol Winery, 2011 Pinot Grigio; $21.56
Briar Rose Winery 2011 Estate Viognier; $21.00
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 2006 Sangiovese; $25.00
Leoness Cellars 2010 Zinfandel; $38.95
Doffo Vineyards 2011 Syrah; $49.00
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, 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon; $20.00
Monte De Oro Winery 2007 Merlot; $27.00
Wiens 2008 Reserve Tempranillo-Petite Sirah; $49.00
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. Oak Mountain’s port has a nutty honeyed flavor to perfectly compliment the nutmeg and allspice flavors of pumpkin pie. And for a special treat, buy a bottle of Renzoni port to pair with a fudgy chocolate cake.
Keyways Vineyard Winery 2012 Moscato; $19.00
Oak Mountain Winery Port; $29.00
Robert Renzoni Paradiso Port; $49
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 2010 Chenin Blanc; $12.95
Miramonte Winery 2010 Grenache Rose; $17.50
Falkner Winery 2012 Sauvignon Blanc; $18.95
South Coast Winery Ruby Cuvee; $22.00
Palumbo Family Vineyards & Winery 2010 “80/20″ Cabernet/Shiraz Blend; $35.00 | 15% discount for a case
