Each year there are hundreds of articles recommended wines for Thanksgiving. Year in and year out, wine professionals and winos claim to know the perfect combination for the Thanksgiving dinner. Why is Thanksgiving such a difficult meal to select wines for….a couple of reasons. First, while many of us enjoy turkey of the holiday, others feast on ham, duck, roast or lamb. The main dish can play a huge role in determining what wines to serve with your Thanksgiving dinner. Secondly, the variety of side dishes that accompany the meal. These range from sweet potatoes to stuffing to vegetables to fruit salad to your family’s traditional dish. At some point you begin to wonder, can I ever choose just one wine to go with all these flavors? Finally, think about your guests. Some like white, while others prefer red. How do you please both?

 

Instead of offering a ton of wine suggestions, I’m going to offer a few Thanksgiving wine pointers and tell you what I plan on drinking.

 

*Follow traditions. If your family drank a particular type of wine such as a California sparkling or a French Bordeaux, consider continuing the tradition. Remember these are more about the memories than the best bottles of wine.

 

*Select a red and white. This satisfies all drinkers…everyone has something to enjoy with dinner. Choose these based on main dish such as turkey or ham.

 

*Go all American. Thanksgiving is an American holiday, pick wines made in America. Consider a Pinot Noir from Oregon, a Chardonnay from California or a Riesling from the Finger Lakes region.

 

*Choose what you like. So it may not be the best pairing, but you’ll enjoy it because it’s something you like. So what if you drink Cabernet Sauvignon if it’s what you like….I’ve had that pairing before.

 

*When you’re unsure….drink Cava! I believe we don’t drink Cava and other sparkling wines enough. Why are they reserved for weddings, graduations, New Year’s Eve and other special occasions? Pop a bottle on Tuesday night or for Thanksgiving…it’s sure to impress your guests.

 

Jonathan and I plan to have “several” bottles on Thanksgiving….I know what you’re thinking they’re going to be drunk! Let me explain. We’ll have Fèlix Massana Ràfols Cava with breakfast, while I watch the parades and start cooking. In the afternoon, we’ll have to sip a little Beaujolais-Nouveau….probably won’t finish this bottle, but it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without the latest release. For dinner we’ve decided on the 2007 Drew Pinot Noir from Oregon. I can’t wait to sample this bottle to see how it does with all the Thanksgiving flavors! I’ll post my thoughts next week.