CHOOSING THE RIGHT WINE FOR THANKSGIVING
 With the large assortment of flavors and aromas piled across the dining table you’ll never be able to pair all of them perfectly. So really it comes down to simply picking your favorite wines: those that you want to share with family and friends, or maybe the ones you just want to enjoy yourself.
But, if you’re looking to get a little more specific than that here are some general guidelines to keep in mind:
PAIRING GUIDELINES
1. Again, no matter which wine you pick, it won’t pair perfectly with everything you serve, so don’t try. The herb stuffing, cranberry sauce, potatoes and roast turkey – they all call for a separate wine. Even the turkey itself can taste considerably different based on the way it is prepared.
2. Instead, choose a variety of styles: bubbly for toasting, aromatic white wine for starters, fruity reds for the main course, and dessert wine for an impressive finish.
3. You’ll want a wine that will go well with both the dark and the white meat: one that will support the flavors of the richer meat, or side dishes, while not overwhelming the lighter portions.
4. You’ll also want a wine that will fit in with all the flavorful trimmings. It should have sufficient body (alcoholic strength) to stand up to the many flavors, but not so full bodied that it beats your palate senseless. Wines with extremely high alcohol levels (above 14.5%) tend to taste a little unbalanced and overpowering with food.
5. It should have adequate fruit so that it complements the meat as well as the side dishes, but not be too fruity (sweet tasting) so that any sides like green vegetables taste bitter.
6. No matter what anyone says, roast turkey is hard to pair with wine. Turkey often makes your wine taste a little metallic, especially wines that are tannic and astringent (like Cabernet Sauvignon). If drinking red, it should have mild tannins to support the wine’s fruit, medium body and sufficient acidity to cut through the fats. Lighter bodied whites with fruit and spice/herb flavors, and good acidity to cut through the fat, tend to be the best choice.
7. Be careful not to serve your wine at too cool a temperature. Cooler temperatures tend to reduce a wine's fruity element, which is what blends so well with Thanksgiving flavors.
8. One bottle per person is what you should plan for during a full evening of entertaining, unless the majority of dinner guests will not be drinking. Running out of wine is the cardinal sin of entertaining.
With those guidelines in mind, here is a list of suggestions:
REDS
Pinot Noir: Generally light in body, with soft texture and vibrant aromas. Pinot Noir is easy to love, especially among the many flavors of Thanksgiving, because it's very food-friendly and can really complement any dish.
Grenache: Grenache wines are full of fruit flavors, spices, and very low in tannins. This mixture is perfect for the big day.
Sangiovese: These wines are high in acid, which helps to cut through fatty foods, with moderate tannins, and medium levels of alcohol. The flavors have a hint of earthiness and are usually not boldly fruity, but complement foods very well.
Syrah: For those who like their red wines hearty and full of flavor, a Syrah will balance nicely with even the most flavorful and spicy Thanksgiving assortment. They offer great depth of color and flavor, with a decidedly peppery note that we find delicious! Beware of Syrah’s with a little too much gas in the tank (high alcohol).
WHITE
Pinot Gris: Alcohol content can be an important consideration when pairing wine with the clove, nutmeg and other more-festive spices found in many Thanksgiving side dishes. These spices often make a wine with higher alcohol seem very hot on the palate. For a drier, more refreshing style of wine try a fragrant white such as Pinot Gris.
Viognier: A white wine with low levels of acidity and characterized by light floral flavors surrounded by delectable touches of peach and pear. Viognier is less acidic than many wines, so it won’t go over well with fattier dishes, but with its fruity flavors it makes a nice complement to the turkey and stuffing.
Sauvignon Blanc: A slightly more crisp wine that also goes well with the traditional meal is Sauvignon Blanc, with its bright fruit acidity and plenty of herbaceous character that complements the many spices in the stuffing and side dishes.
Riesling: Those who favor a lighter and more delicate white wine will find Riesling from Washington State to be a great match for Thanksgiving dinner. The light floral aroma of Riesling and its soft, fresh fruit flavors fit nicely into the array of seasonings this traditional dinner offers, and the hint of sweetness presented by most Rieslings gives this wine great appeal for many palates.
OTHER
Rosé Wines: It's true that dry rose wines go well with almost any dish, and with so many flavors on the table at Thanksgiving, young rosés are sure to be crowd-pleasers. They are easy to drink, and they exhibit lively fruit flavors that almost everyone can appreciate. And unlike the white Zinfandel you may be thinking of, many rosés are neither decidedly sweet nor dry. This makes them welcome with a variety of dishes, as the balance keeps them from wiping out or dominating the food's flavors.
Sparkling Wines: Along with the celebration aspect, sparkling wine can also be a great pairing with many dishes. The acidity and effervescence of the wine serve as palate-cleansers, preparing you for the next bite. Also, the flavors of most sparkling wines are somewhat more restrained than those of still wines, making them easier to match with food that has a variety of spices and flavors. Because a traditional Thanksgiving meal brings together such a diverse range of flavors, and some that are rich or slightly sweet, a sparkling wine that is not completely dry will please nearly everyone. If this is indeed your choice then pick one labeled "extra dry," ("brut" is the driest category, and "extra dry" is just a little softer, with fuller fruit flavors).
Whatever wine you happen to choose, we wish you the best Thanksgiving ever! Because there are so many good wine and food pairings for Thanksgiving dinner, just select the type of wine you favor-and let us offer options to please every palate and personality.
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