Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and the question on everyone’s mind is what wine they need to accompany the glorious, lovingly-prepared feast that will grace the table on November 24th. Here are a few basic guidelines to help you know what will go best, as well as a fun flowchart to set you on the right track!
- Too many big tannins will kill the meal. Shoot for wines that have soft tannins, bright acidity and lots of fruit–they’ll help balance out the wide variety of foods that you’ll pile on your plate.
- Rose is always a safe choice! These flexible wines do the job of both a red and a white wine–and they’re definitely not just for summer sipping.
- For whites, go for either high-acid wines to help cleanse the palate, or something with a little richness and heaviness to match the texture of some of those creamy foods like potatoes, stuffing, and gravy.
- When in doubt, the #1 most flexible wine is a slightly off-dry, high-acid white wine like German Riesling or Vouvray.
- When pairing wine with dessert, your wine should always be as sweet or sweeter than your dessert. Sorry, but Kim Crawford is not going to taste very good with pumpkin pie…
And for even more libationary options beyond just wine (and for pairing with different environments/social groups you might find yourself in this Thanksgiving), check out this hilarious flowchart from VinePair.
Happy Turkey Day!
