Thanksgiving. It’s one of America’s favorite holidays, with a menu that people look forward to all year.
Wine. It’s our uncontested favorite drink, and one we look forward to whenever we’re not actively enjoying it.
The two are obviously destined to be together. Of course, you can pair traditional Thanksgiving dinner courses with wine, and we’re happy to help with that. But for a fun event that you could hold before, after, or in lieu of completely, consider hosting a tasting party featuring wine paired with Thanksgiving-themed small plates. It’s less time in the kitchen, and a whole lot of fun.
To make planning easier, we’ve come up with some recommendations.
Our pairings are listed according to the traditional wine tasting order — sparkling, whites, then reds, lighter-bodied to fuller-bodied. Maybe you’d prefer to follow the traditional order of the Thanksgiving meal. Feel free to rearrange as you see fit. It’s your party, after all.
2019 Brut Rosé with Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Spread Bites
Bubbles are a perfect kick-off for the festivities. The clean fruit aromatics in our Brut Rosé will gleefully complement the cranberry in this spread, while its mineral finish makes a perfect counter to the tangy, bright flavor of the goat cheese.
2020 Rkatsiteli with Mini Pumpkin Pie Bites
What’s Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie? The pumpkin and harvest spice flavors of these pie bites make a beautiful match for the fall orchard flavors and spicy finish of our Rkatsiteli. And speaking of tradition, Rkatsiteli is the oldest wine grape still cultivated today. Learn more about it here.
2019 Chardonnay Reserve with Turkey Meat Balls
The creamy, full-bodied texture of Chardonnay makes a classic pairing for turkey. Our Reserve is made in the Burgundian style with signature estate-grown grapes. Make sure your meatballs feature your favorite harvest-season spices, and you’ve got the perfect Thanksgiving pair.
2020 Dry Rosé with Roasted Sage and Parmesan Cauliflower
Dry Rosé is a Thanksgiving secret weapon. It’s versatile enough to pair with many classic dishes. Its crisp acidity and light body balance wonderfully with the hearty spice and parmesan in this simple cauliflower dish.
2019 Pinot Noir Reserve with Roasted Herbed Baby Potato
The earthy nature of these herbed potatoes will partner perfectly with this Reserve, which was crafted from free-run juice and minimally filtered to preserve pure varietal character. Learn more about our latest new release here.
2019 Meritage Reserve with Bacon-wrapped Brussels Sprouts
Bacon’s rich flavor can pair well with reds, whites and even rosés. Brussels sprouts have generally been categorized as tough to pair, but not impossible. When married with bacon, the salt, fat and rich flavors are well balanced with our 2019 Meritage Reserve, a full-bodied fan favorite.
Have another idea for a Thanksgiving-themed small plate or pairing? We want to hear it! Wishing you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving season, from your friends at M Cellars.
