Happy Thanksgiving! I cannot believe it’s that time of year again! I’ve been posting my Thanksgiving wine picks for 6 years now. I know that hosting a large dinner party, especially a holiday dinner party, can be stressful. There are so many choices we need to make when we’re planning that special get together. The last thing we need is to stress over the wine too. When it comes to Thanksgiving wine, there are a few things I take into consideration. The most important things are, pairing choice and cost. Usually, Thanksgiving day is just Carl and I, so I like to go all out for our pairing when I know it’s just him and I. If I’m hosting a group of people, I lean towards a more affordable option that allows me to purchase multiple bottles. For white wine choices, it’s safe to offer crowd pleasers like a nice chilled Pinot Grigio. It’s light, but pairs well with the Turkey and sides. If you wanted to try a different white wine this year, go for my Italian favorite, Gavi! It’s crisp, dry and offers fruity notes like apple and melon. Moving to Rosé, the ever popular Rosé wine will always make an appearance at my Thanksgiving table. It is perfection with the herby roasted turkey and all the sides. If you had to pick one style to share with guests, I would always lean towards Rosé. It’s a little fuller bodied than a white to satisfy your red wine lovers and is still light enough to keep your white wine lovers happy. I have two picks this year and my first one is a nice, bone dry french Rosé from Trader Joe’s. For those of you who don’t have a TJ’s near you, never fear, you can find a similar wine at your local Aldi or national grocery chain. This is a very affordable option and will pair perfectly with your entire Thanksgiving table. The palate is crisp and dry with notes of strawberry, raspberry, watermelon and citrus. It’s so affordable at 8.99 per bottle. Throw a few in your fridge to keep it flowing all dinner long! Moving to Red, my most popular pick for red wine on Thanksgiving is an elegant Pinot Noir. The flavor profiles in Pinot Noir pair so well with all the comfort food on the table. I drink more Pinot Noir during the fall season than any other time because of how beautifully it pairs with things like squash, pork, poultry and all things savory. I take my Thanksgiving Pinot selection very seriously because I love to celebrate the day with an elegant bottle. One of my favorite wineries for Pinot is located in Willamette Valley, Oregon. Willakenzie Estate makes some of the most beautiful Pinot I’ve ever tasted in the States. I used to be a wine club member years ago and had the pleasure of visiting the winery earlier this year to enjoy a seated tasting. I shipped a couple of bottles home and knew that my favorite would lay down until Thanksgiving. Willakenzie “Kiana” is my favorite that they make. Named after the owners granddaughter, the wine offers notes of red and black cherry, along with strawberry and earthy elements like leaf and herb. It’s expressive and elegant. The perfect pairing for a beautiful Thanksgiving table. Try an Oregon or Burgundian pinot for a similar flavor profile. If you wanted to go with a richer Pinot, look for some options from Russian River Valley or Santa Barbara in California. “Lyric” by Etude is a perfect value option for your tables this year! Don’t stress over your picks and if you need help, you know where to find me! Send me a DM on Facebook or Instagram and I will help you pick the perfect selections based on what you’re serving! Cheers and Happy Thanksgiving 🦃 🍽
Tap the link below to order yourself a bottle or two of Kiana for your tables this year!
Such a masterful description of wine choosing. I only regret that I don’t ‘do’ the Thanksgiving dinner these days. When invited elsewhere wine is the perfect gift to bring to the event. Thank you for the fabulous descriptions.
Glad you enjoyed! I’m excited to have you at our table for Christmas this year🥰🍷