Thanksgiving is just around the corner and for most of us, meal planning takes center stage. It is the quintessential feasting holiday from the bird and side dishes, to the wide array of desserts. I’m hungry just thinking about it!
But what about the wine? Often it becomes an afterthought, or a last-minute, even overwhelming decision. How do we please all the guests? What will match with the turkey, cranberry sauce, and the other dozen trimmings?
Well, first of all, if you’re traveling through Finger Lakes Wine Country, live in the area, or reside in a state in which you can buy wine online, you can relax. You have plenty of options right at your fingertips! And while this ease of access and variety of options here in this stunning cool-climate wine region solves one problem, it can still be intimidating to know where to start. So, let’s begin with the basics.
Throw Out the “Rules”
First, throw the old wine rules out the window. Poultry and Thanksgiving aren’t only for white wine. While white wines will pair beautifully, they're not for everyone and a good rosé or red wine can be just as complementary. Second, drink what you like. Whether you prefer a sweeter Riesling or one that’s bone dry, there’s no reason not to pick a wine best suited to you. Wine is not about points or reviews, it’s simply a beautiful drink meant to be enjoyed and shared with friends or family. It’s far more personal than a random number. What’s more, you don’t have to blow your budget to put a high-quality wine on your table. Many outstanding options are available at reasonable prices. And lastly, why not pick a few options? No one says you have to choose only one kind of wine for your table. Have some fun and play around with various options – you may even discover a new pairing you love.
Now that we’ve tossed the old rules out the window, let’s talk potential options of every style – all of which are found here in Finger Lakes Wine Country.
Scroll to discover them all, or click to skip to your favorites!
Sparkling >
White >
Rosé >
Red >
Dessert >
Sparkling Wines |
Sparkling wines are always a fantastic option. They add that effervescence to the party, not to mention the higher acidity of these wines delightfully complement the buttery turkey and stuffing. You can find an array of bubbly options in wineries throughout the Finger Lakes, but here are a few of my personal favorites for Thanksgiving:
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White Wines |
White wines are often the go-to for Thanksgiving with Gewürztraminer as the classic pairing, but a Burgundian-style Chardonnay with its creamy oakiness, or a citrusy Riesling with its higher acidity, will pair just as well. Here are a few options to get you started:
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Rosé Wines |
Rosé all day! Well, at least all year. That’s right, it’s not just for summertime. Rosé can be enjoyed year-round and adds a splash of color to the Thanksgiving table. My recommendations for the big day would be:
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Red Wines |
For red wine lovers, there are certainly plenty of options throughout the Finger Lakes, from Pinot Noir to Cabernet Franc. For Thanksgiving you’ll want a red wine with less tannins and higher acidity to complement the many flavors of the meal. Fortunately, that’s exactly the kind of red wines done expertly in this cool climate region. Here are a few red recommendations for the big day:
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Dessert Wines |
What is Thanksgiving without dessert? And, of course, we have wines for that, too! The trick to pairing wine with dessert is to make sure it’s sweeter than what you’re serving. And ice wine provides that lusciousness ideal for many desserts. Traditional ice wine is made by harvesting and pressing while frozen. Allowing the grapes to freeze essentially traps water, concentrating the grape’s sugar and acidity, guaranteeing the extracted syrupy juice will be extra sweet. The options below are perfect pairings for pumpkin, apple, or pecan pie.
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No matter your pairing, remember the most important thing about wine is that it’s shared in good company. So, relax, enjoy and have a wonderful holiday.
