Pairing Wines For Your Thanksgiving Feast

Everyone knows what belongs on the Thanksgiving table - the turkey, the vegetables, the rolls. But when it comes to wine, some people can get intimidated.

Never fear, says Kim Graziano, event planner at Chaddsford Winery.

"It's such a fun time to try different wines, maybe local wines you haven't tried before," she said.

She said the classic dishes like turkey and ham call for a white wine that's crisp, dry and light.

Specifically, she suggests looking at a riesling wine, but make sure it's dry. That means a German, Austrian or Alsatian style - check the label on the back. Sauvignon blanc is another good choice.

Plus, with a big meal and large crowd, there's a chance to experiment a little, too.

"With a bigger group, there is definitely room on the table fore more than one wine," she said. So in addition to a riesling or a sauvignon blanc, it's worth trying a viognier. Viognier? 

"Not as many people have heard about that one, but it's definitely worth trying," she said. And those whites are fine if your side dishes are mostly vegetable based.

"But if you have more earthy side dishes like corn bread, brussel sprouts with bacon or sausage stuffing, you'll want a good red," she said.

The choice there is easy.

"Pinot noir is my top pick for a red on Thanksgiving," she said, adding that it pairs well with ham. "It's a lighter-style red."

But, wait, which is it, red or white?

The answer is yes. 

"You can definitely have both types of wine on your table," she said. "There are no hard and fast rules. That's what's fun about the wine world today."

The only guideline there is to start the meal with the lightest wines - your whites, then move to the heaviest wines. And, if you choose to, finish with a sweet wine.

Looking for some specific local choices? Graziano has them.

Whites

Sparkling Wine, Brut or Chardonnay Brut $12.50 per bottle

Methode Champenoise bottle fermented

Chaddsford Winery, Chadds Ford and Lahaska, PA

2009 Riesling $19.99 per bottle

Crisp, dry white perfect for Thanksgiving dinner

Wycombe Vineyard, Furlong, PA

2009 Riesling $17.00 per bottle

Alsatian-style dry white wine

Anne Amie Vineyards, Willamette Valley, Oregon

2010 Cuvee A Amrita $12.00 - $15.00 per bottle

Dry minerality, slight effervescence

Reds

Chaddsford Winery, Chadds Ford and Lahaska, PA

2009 Pinot Noir $17.99 per bottle

Wonderful red cherry, firm tannins, smooth finish

Vynecrest Winery and Vineyards, Breinigsville, PA (Lehigh Valley)

2009 Chambourcin $14.99 per bottle

Jammy red fruits, spicy black pepper finish

Witness Tree, Willamette Valley, Oregon

2008 Pinot Noir $28 - $30 per bottle

Red fruit, spice, firm tannins

Anne Amie Vineyards, Willamette Valley, Oregon

2009 Cuvee A Pinot Noir $25.00 per bottle

Red cherry, great acidity, smooth finish

Dessert 

Chaddsford Winery, Chadds Ford and Lahaska, PA

Spiced Apple $12.99 per bottle

Delicious served warm, garnished with a cinnamon stick

Sand Castle Winery, Erwinna, PA

Alpine Spice $17.00 per bottle

More resources

Buy the book: Graziano recommends Great Tastes Made Simple by Andrea Immer. "It's great for beginners," she said.

App: Check out Natalie MacLean's "wine picks and pairings" app for your smartphone. It's free and it will help you pick wines based on what you're eating.