Thanksgiving Wine in Lake Leelanau, MI

How to Pair Wine for Thanksgiving Dinner

With Thanksgiving around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about what delectable dishes you’ll serve your family and friends. While turkey, sweet potatoes, and fresh stuffing are staples of Thanksgiving dinner, don’t forget to add something to drink! Wine makes the perfect complement to food served this November holiday, and what’s more, choosing the ideal wine is lots of fun. As you browse your favorite wines, be sure to take Aurora Cellars’ advice for selecting the best of the best.

What Makes a Good Thanksgiving Wine?

If you’re hoping to add a touch of sophistication to your Thanksgiving dinner, you can’t go wrong with a luxurious bottle of wine. However, not every wine pairs well with Thanksgiving fare. A good Thanksgiving wine has elements that will bring out the other rich ingredients at the dinner table. But that doesn’t mean you should focus completely on what matches your Thanksgiving feast. Above all else, make sure to pick wines you enjoy!

Discover Our Recommendations

Are you feeling stuck when it comes to choosing a Thanksgiving wine? The professionals at Aurora Cellars have years of experience and a commitment to the best-tasting wines. As such, we know how to choose wines that will pair just right with your turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes. Explore our recommendations for sweet and balanced wines:

Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is among our top picks for Thanksgiving meals. This dry wine has hints of acidity and complex flavors ranging from cherry to baking spices. The balanced taste of Pinot Noir is especially well-matched with savory turkey dishes and flavorful stuffing.

Champagne (Sparkling Wine)
The classics are popular for a reason! Sparkling wine, known as Champagne (if from that region in France), makes a great addition to the dinner table, and its high acidity makes it perfect for sipping on throughout a meal. Choosing a fuller-bodied, flavorful sparkling wine mixes well with rich Thanksgiving dishes. You might even offer your guests a glass before dinner to get the evening started.

Chardonnay
Another classic, chardonnay pairs perfectly with a Thanksgiving feast. This wine’s creaminess is the ideal complement to a robust, rich serving of mashed potatoes and gravy. If you plan to serve stuffing chock-full of cranberries or sausage, an unoaked chardonnay is an incredible pick.

Riesling
You can’t go wrong with a glass of Riesling at the dinner table. You have lots of options within this category of wine, from dry to wonderfully sweet. In general, Riesling offers a crisp acidity that contrasts with the richness of a typical Thanksgiving meal. We recommend serving a dry Riesling with the main course.

Zinfandel
Zinfandel wines are commonplace at the Thanksgiving table, considering their reputation as an American wine. Historically grown in California, this delicious wine contains medium tannins and a zing of fruit flavor. Zinfandel’s bold taste fits well with other decadent dishes at the table.

Step Outside the Ordinary

While there’s nothing wrong with choosing classic wine for Thanksgiving, perhaps you’d prefer to take a break from the standard. In that case, Aurora Cellars can offer plenty of suggestions for stepping away from typical Thanksgiving wines. Offer your guests a glass of these bold alternatives this Turkey Day:

• Lambrusco
• Chenin Blanc
• Frappato
• Mission
• Pinot Gris
• Merlot
• Rosé
• Seyval Blanc
• Bianca
• Vignoles

Served With a Glass of Michigan Wine

You have no shortage of options when selecting a wine for Thanksgiving. While the decision may seem daunting, it’s also lots of fun to make. As you narrow down your top choices, be sure to make the selection at Aurora Cellars. As one of the most award-winning and internationally recognized Leelanau wineries, we’re glad to help you make this year’s Thanksgiving a success. Contact us for details about our stunning selection.