Excerpt from TALES FROM THE WINE FLOOR: 100 Questions Asked of a Sommelier

by James Quaile
Published by Lyons Press

WHAT WINE PAIRS BEST WITH THANKSGIVING DINNER?

Ahh, Thanksgiving dinner: the ultimate culinary labor of love. It’s the pull-out-all-the stops meal that home cooks plan and prepare weeks in advance. Unfortunately, when it comes to wine pairings, there is often little advance thought, much less planning. Most people stick with the wine they always drink, even if it doesn’t pair well with turkey. But have no fear! You can be a little more adventurous and a bit more festive without interfering with family traditions or tight holiday budgets.
I recommend starting with a bubbly. (Ok, I always recommend starting with bubbly.) It sets the festive mood and matches every course, from chips and dips to entrée and dessert. An extra dry or Demi-sec is the way to go. They have a touch of sweetness - which you’re going to need as there is a lot of sweetness on a traditional thanksgiving plate. This might be the perfect thing for a favorite aunt or uncle to bring. They might even think they’re getting off easy, and they are! There are sparkling wines at every price point, from bang-for-the-buck Cavas from Spain, trendy Proseccos from Italy, to fancy-schmancy Champagnes from France. You can find a bubbly version of nearly every grape nowadays.
Now, let’s say you’re having a bigger party. More attendees means more people to help out with the wine. In this case, it’s probably a good idea to give a little direction to the guest who wants to help. “Aunt Reen is bringing Prosecco. Would you like to bring another kind of wine, maybe a Riesling?” Crafty right?
Now if you want to go all out, put together a group of wines that not only match your carefully and lovingly prepared meal, but also pleases the widest range of palates from your Keto cousins to your gluten-free guests. If you’re going this route, keep the bubbles and Riesling, but add a Beaujolais or Rhône blend. Beaujolais would be my choice. It’s different enough without being weird, fruity enough without being a fruit bomb, readily available, and reasonably priced. I suggest a Beaujolais-Villages or, if your budget allows, a Cru Beaujolais. (See #77 What’s the difference between Beaujolais or Beaujolais Nouveau?) The other choice, a Côtes du Rhône, blends a few grapes, mainly Syrah and Grenache. Don’t even worry about the producer; the entire region produces wines that are flat-out bargains. And finally, if you are like my family and have an entire dessert table, you should consider a dessert wine. Port is the perfect pairing with every dessert on the table. Ruby is the
classic wine for all things chocolate, and Tawny is the quintessential wine for fruit and nut pies or a cheese platter. Once opened, Port can last throughout the holiday season.
There you have it. Wines that please the masses yet pair well with the smorgasbord that is the traditional Thanksgiving plate

Jimmy’s book is available wherever books are sold. Or, buy it at Roger Wilco Pennsauken and Jimmy will sign it for you!

Happy Thanksgiving