Forget the idea that THE Thanksgiving meal has to have the perfect pairings to go with it. This plan is not only counterproductive, but just plain difficult. If your Thanksgiving meal is anything like those of my family, anything and everything ends up on the table.
The best plan of attack is diversity and balance. The two things I always remember are pairing sweet with sweet, and making the most of the bridge ingredients (bacon, stuffing, etc.). The wine you serve should be as sweet as the plate sitting next to it. Late harvest Chardonnays and numerous Rieslings pair well with many classic Thanksgiving dishes such as sweet potato casserole with marshmallows and pumpkin pie.
Brennan's Bandera Quail & Chanterelle Mushroom Crepe and Cardamom Spiced Pumpkin Pie
Ingredients such as bacon, lemon, mushrooms and tomatoes will surely be plentiful, so stick with a nice Pinot Noir, Syrah or even Grenache with a mushroom or bacon stuffing. Syrah is definitely one of my favorite wines to have at Thanksgiving.
Try a Chardonnay with a lemon butter sauce or a lemon and thyme accented side dish. These ingredients might not be the focus of any dish, but serve as a great way to sneak a good wine pairing in. Two of my favorite wineries are linked below…you will find great Chardonnays, Pinot Noir and some of the best Syrahs made in the U.S.
www.FaillaWines.com www.CopainWines.com
