Pairing Pointers

Thanksgiving bridges the gap between summer and winter, brings together family from near and far and celebrates the harvest. Choosing a wine that can live up to such a multi-faceted occasion can be challenging. But fear not — the right bottle to encapsulate the spirit and the season is within reach. Whether you’re serving a classic oven-roasted turkey with all the trimmings, smoking the bird for a more savoury and intense dish or laying out a meat-free feast for all, here are some thoughts on how to pick the perfect bottle of wine for the festivities.

Seasonality

As the turkeys get fat, farmers harvest the fruits and herbs, berries and root vegetables from their fields, and everyone celebrates with a feast. Seek out wines that reflect these seasonal ingredients as well as the food on the table does. Gewürztraminer has ripe fruit and hints of sage and ginger; white Bordeaux offers tangy acidity, citrus, sweetgrass and peppery herbaceousness.

Food Friendliness

Just as people like to enjoy the company of loved ones around the holiday table, the wine needs to get along with the dishes. They should complement each other. For a dinner that includes a roast, stuffing, potatoes and gravy, consider something with intensity and body, like a Viognier or Zinfandel. A more delicate dish, such as baked turkey breast with Brussels sprouts and green beans, calls for something lighter, like a Sauvignon Blanc or Alsatian-style blend.

Versatility

Thanksgiving dinner includes a wide variety of flavours, so make sure your wine choices offer enough versatility. Ideally, have both a white and a red ready, and a dry rosé works well, too. It is best to serve wines that enhance, rather than overpower, the food. For reds, aim for one with a softer tannic structure, like Pinot Noir or Gamay. Riesling with a touch of sweetness provides a great counterbalance to salty or savoury richness in the meal. 

5 B.C. Bottles to Try

Since cooler-climate wines naturally accentuate acidity, many British Columbia bottles match well with seasonal local foods. Here are some of the best Thanksgiving-friendly bottles for this year’s holiday table: