Here are some suggestions for serving wines for the Thanksgiving holiday. Why not keep it local in the spirit of Thanksgiving and the bounty of the Finger Lakes? After all it is an American holiday, originating in the Northeast! Here are some suggestions to try alone or mix them up!
There are lots of flavors in the traditional Thanksgiving dinner, from appetizers, to white and dark turkey meat, mashed potatoes, yams, herb-filled stuffing, and cranberry relish, all the way to pumpkin or pecan pie. Is there a single wine that can take you from start to finish?
Sparkling wine can fit the bill. It is both elegant and versatile when it comes to pairing wine and food. Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard, Dr. Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars, Damiani Wine Cellars, and Fox Run Vineyards all have sparklers sure to impress!
For red wine, you want to look for wines with fairly tame tannins that will support the flavors of the food. I would recommend Pinot Noir, a traditional favorite for Thanksgiving. Pinot Noir has subtle earthy and mushroom inspired flavors with lovely fruit which pairs well with the traditional flavors of turkey and stuffing. Shalestone Vineyards, Dr. Frank, Damiani (Sunrise), Heart & Hands Wine Company, Bloomer Creek Vineyards, and Red Tail Ridge Winery all have very nice Pinot Noirs.
For white wines, you want to find a wine with well-balanced acidity.
Riesling and Gewurztraminer are good food friendly choices. Riesling, can be either be bone dry or fairly sweet, and pairs well with any dishes that are spicy, salty or sweet. We have some great Rieslings right here in the Finger Lakes. Riesling's innate flavors of apple, apricot, honey, and its acidity give it a significant pairing edge with the likes of sweet potatoes, turkey meat, and spice-laden or herb-filled stuffing. Anthony Road Wine Company, Hermann Wiemer, Dr. Frank, Bloomer Creek, and Red Newt Wine Cellars are all good bets.
Gewurztraminer, has an aromatic gusto and spicy palate that give it a solid standing with turkey and gravy, bringing out the best in both. Bloomer Creek has some great Gewürztraminers with varying levels of sweetness, also Red Newt, Sheldrake Point Winery, Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars, and Damiani.
Dessert is a fun time to experiment. Pumpkin, apple and pecan pie anyone? Serving port with pumpkin and pecan pie provides a delicious nutty, sweet spice-filled character to the pairing. Many delicious ports can be found in the Finger Lakes region. Seek out Fox Run, Goose Watch Winery (which make a rare white port), Swedish Hill Winery, Ports of New York, Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards, Lakewood Vineyards, and Red Newt.
A late harvest Riesling brings rich, concentrated flavors of honey to a variety of desserts. Sheldrake 2008 Late Harvest Riesling pairs well with any apple dessert. Fortified and late harvest wines offer the sweetness and the richness to support the flavors and robust spice of the pumpkin pie as well as the caramelized flavors found in a pecan pie. Sheldrake also has a 2010 Apple Iced Wine, and Cabernet Franc and Riesling Ice Wines, all sure to please!
As a side note, I always meant to try Montezuma Winery's Cranberry Bog with a Thanksgiving dinner, just might do it this year. Enjoy your Thanksgiving!
Annemarie Morse has a Masters of Professional Studies in Enology (winemaking) and is an American Wine Society Wine Judge Certified
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