Many ask, “what’s the best wine for Thanksgiving dinner?” With a variety of Thanksgiving dishes and wine varietals to choose from, this can be an overwhelming task! Rather than choose a collection of wines that suit certain dishes, it is best to choose wines that complement a variety of dishes.
WINES TO PAIR WITH THANKSGIVING DISHES
CHARDONNAY
With a selection of three types of Chardonnay, you’re sure to pair it with the main dish and the side showstoppers. An oaky, full-bodied Chardonnay matches the richness of side dishes such as mashed potatoes, bacon-braised green beans, a sweet potato casserole with marshmallows, or the most underrated Thanksgiving side dish of all time – mac n cheese. The barrel-aged Pearl Chardonnay adds complexity and oak flavors to a buttery or creamy dish. Embrace a roast turkey dinner with a glass of Pearl Chardonnay or Jackpot Chardonnay to balance both of their flavors and complexity.
ROSÉ
The versatile wine. Typically overlooked, this dry California rosé of Pinot Noir compliments almost every classic recipe you can think of for Thanksgiving. Rosé refreshes the palate against rich, creamy dishes such as mashed potatoes with savory gravy. It also features subtle herb notes on the palate that compliment rosemary, bay leaf, clove, and cinnamon that are typically included in side dishes.
MALBEC
Roasted turkey, pepper-crusted beef tenderloins, or rosemary lamb chops, Malbec is a great versatile and food-friendly wine that can be enjoyed with a wide variety of dishes.
A few of our Thanksgiving favorites include green bean casserole and cornbread stuffing.
ZINFANDEL
A wine with flavors of berry jam, anise, and pepper is sure to pair perfectly with almost any Thanksgiving dish – you simply cannot go wrong.
Our family recipe is jalapeno cranberry sauce, where the Zinfandel compliments the slight spice the jalapeno adds to the dish and meal.
Jalapeno Cranberry Sauce Recipe – A Filipponi Favorite
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 lb Cranberries
- 1 Jalapeño
- 1 tbsp Zest, orange
- 1 pinch Salt
- 1 cup Sugar
- 1 cup Water
INSTRUCTIONS:
- In a medium-sized saucepan, combine all the ingredients.
Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to a
simmer. - Mash your cranberries periodically while stirring the mixture
occasionally. - Simmer the mix together for about 15-20 minutes or until the
sauce is reduced and thick.
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Cabernet is king on the Santa Margarita Ranch. Due to our location, we are able to offer two distinct cabernets, so you can have a perfect pairing with every meal. Our estate cabernet sauvignon is our choice for family favorites such as mashed potatoes and green bean casserole, but when it comes to the holidays our show-stopping Pearl Cabernet Sauvignon is a perfect pairing for our prime rib dinner with all the trimmings.
PIE PAIRINGS
Pecan Pie — Zinfandel
Apple Pie – Chardonnay
Blueberry Pie – Cabernet Sauvignon (Estate or Pearl)
Pumpkin Pie – Pearl Chardonnay
