What is the best wine to serve with thanksgiving dinner?

Question

I would like a suggestion for both red and white wines.

Answer 1

I like the beaujolais nouveau idea for red wine, because this wine comes out just before thanksgiving each year. It is reasonably priced, and has a lighter flavor (as red wines go), making it easy to drink and enjoy. Another thanksgiving-suitable red that is popular these days is pinot noir. You could also serve an Italian chianti. For people who don't drink much wine or who prefer whites, I'd choose a beaujolais nouveau, lightly chilled.

Among whites, it depends on whether you like your wine dry or sweet. Thanksgiving meals have so many sweet flavored foods in them that a very dry white, like a sauvignon blanc, might be overwhelmed by the food. For sweeter wines, try a French Alsace (say "Al-zasse'") wine or a German Riesling or Gewurtztraminer (say "ge-vurtz'-tra-meener"). In particular, the Gewurtztraminer has a delicious, fruity bouquet that most people enjoy. If you want something more dry in a white, get a Chardonnay, which still has plenty of flavor while being less sweet.

Any of the above wines can be found at reasonable cost (less than $15/bottle), and all of them are food-friendly, easy-to-drink and enjoyable wines, that also have a bit of class to them. If you serve any of these wines, people will think you know what you're doing.

My own choices this Thanksgiving will be beaujolais and gewurtztraminer. Another idea you might consider for those who don't like wine but who like beer, is hard cider--fermented apple juice. It is an excellent choice for thanksgiving.

Answer 2

Chuck should get "best answer" on this one... hands down.

He's absolutely right and for some suggestions, I'd say the Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau would be the fashionable choice, newly released just before Thanksgiving, should be about $8 or 9 a bottle.

For a better tasting choice though, choose Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages (less expensive at about $7 a bottle... more stable, you know it's good, no hoping Georges had a good year - lol)

For a low-priced, but excellent white wine, at about $8 a bottle, choose either Fetzer Valley Oaks Gewurztraminer or Bonny Doon Pacific Rim Riesling. To go up a notch to about $12 a bottle, try my personal favorite Thankgiving wine, Trimbach Riesling (It's from Alsace, like Chuck suggested) or Hugel Gewurztraminer.

This is assuming your fare is traditional (turkey and/or ham) and these are reds and whites that will match well with both meats. Sparkling apple cider is a great choice for those not drinking alcohol and Chuck just got 10pts :) (Whoever the guy was who said sparkling wines and champagne with Thanksgiving dinner was off his rocker - lol No match at all! Fine for before dinner... but otherwise... ew.)

Answer 3

SInce there is really no "best" wine I served both a red and a white wine at Thanksgiving. A nice red would be a Merlot or a Shraz and a nice white wine would be a Charddonay or a Riesling.

Answer 4

White wine if you are serving turkey. German wines Are good with turkey. Also I think you could get away with a blush wine. Red wines usually go with beef. I heard on a cooking show once a good way to remember is what ever the juice in the meat resembles is the color of the wine you should use.

Answer 5

Beringer is always pretty good for the price. A White Zinfendale is good, but with a Thanksgiving dinner I would serve a White Merlot. If you are going to serve a red, you must really look at the food you are serving. With ham, I would go for a lighterwine. With Turkey, I would stick with the white merlot. But if a red is a must pick quality fruit wine. A good Merlot would work too, but could be too heavy. Good Luck!

Answer 6

Before dinner - I like to serve a nice French rose like Guigal Rose from Cotes du Rhone. They provide enough structure and acidity to stand up to typical before dinner table snacks and get your palate yearning for a big plate of thanksgiving fare.

With dinner - hands down, Riesling from either Alsace or New Zealand. These wines where made for Thanksgiving dinner - their acidity will brighten the flavors of anything prepared with fat and the fruity apple and citrus flavors are perfect with Turkey meat. Watch out for the cranberries though- - pucker.

I can't wait!

Answer 7

A Gewurztraminer from Alsace for the white. mild, fruity, crisp and great with turkey. An Italian wine created from the Ruche grape (Piedmont section i'm incredibly specific) or possibly a Syrah from Northern Rhone. Even a Sangiovese and Cab/Merlot mixture would desire to artwork or a Sangiovese from Brunello. Mmm... a rather good variety of wines, so little time!

Answer 8

I'm making a big pot of mulled wine for the day's events. I start with a gallon of Burgundy, then add a box of mulling spices (available at Hallmark stores...no lie!) I add a couple of sliced oranges and some cloves and let it simmer for a little while before the crowd arrives. Good stuff.

Answer 9

I like Chablis as a white and beaujolais nouveau as a red. Both are fruity and not too heavy. Plus, they sound neat too--gives your guests the impression you know fine cuisine!

Answer 10

i go by the words of justen wilson the cajun cook always said. the kind of wine you serve with dinner,should be; the kind of wine you like.