The best time of the year is around the corner. The festive season is one to look forward to—all the dinner parties, good food and great wine.
If the big Thanksgiving dinner is at your place this year, you should be looking out for the perfect California wines to complement your delicious dishes.
Here are some wine pairings to help take care of Thanksgiving this year.
The Classic Roast Dinner
If you’re keeping it classic and timeless this year, then you’re in the right place! You have decided to go for a roasted turkey with the sweet sides, so that’s your green beans, sweet potato with marshmallows, cranberry sauce and maybe some sprouts.
The most complementary flavors for this setting are one of the big wines—California’s musky Chardonnay or a sweeter Zinfandel. This is also a safe wine to go for if you plan on gifting it to the hosts of the dinner.
The Fiery Roast
Take weather into your own hands with a spicy roast this year. The chili rub on that bird will heat up your dining room and have your guests with a feast to remember.
Incorporate cumin into the sweet potato mash, kimchi in the sprouts and some chorizo in the stuffing. The gentle heat by these ingredients will definitely sit well with the guests.
A sweet white wine that originates in colder regions like Riesling would pair perfectly with this dinner. If you want to go red, a medium-bodied wine like the California Pinot Noir would be a great choice.
A Hearty Southern Feast
Southern food is made from the heart. Like they say, “go big or go home!”, this dinner includes a deep-fried turkey, cheesy casseroles and the crumbly cornbread stuffing. It can be quite daunting to narrow down the wines for such a rich feast, we suggest a sparkling white wine or rosé. It may not be your first choice, but trust us! You’re in for a treat as California’s Sauvignon Blanc or Merlot are affordable options.
The Italian
A classic turkey accompanied by food for the soul, Lasagna, that’s what we call an Italian roast dinner. Your guests will surely be satisfied with just this one side. As for wines, a wine like Sangiovese or Cabernet should help put the cherry on the top for you. You could also opt for a Pinot Gris.
Northwestern dinner party
You know your hosting a Northwestern Thanksgiving dinner if your stuffing is filled with wild mushrooms and hazelnuts for crunch. You may or may not have opted for smoked salmon as a side for some acidic flare to complete your meal. But is a meal really complete without wine?
That’s what we thought! Your best pairings for this feast is a Gewürztraminer or a Pinot Noir.
You need some further satisfaction on your wine choices this festive season? Why not sign up for our wine tasting in Santa Ynez and taste all these beautifully balanced wines. You’ll be served great tasting wines in Santa Ynez, coupled with a stellar cuisine.