As we gather round with family and friends to celebrate this weekend, there is a tendency to dive into a weekend of indulgence. After all, we have so much to be thankful here in BC, plus the weather is great and what better way to say your gratitudes than sharing over a plate of food with wine.
Pairing a wine to a Thanksgiving dinner can be hard to navigate. Whether it be ham, turkey or tofurkey, there are so many different flavours that go into a traditional feast. Turkey on its own can be a bit bland but enter the cranberry sauce, which is sweet and tart, followed by salty, thick gravy and then the savoury dressing. If that is not enough, well don’t forget the brussel sprouts and candied yams!
Classic Pairing - White Wine
One of my favourite white wines for versatile pairings is an off-dry to medium sweet Riesling. It can add the sweet to the salty gravy (we all love sweet and salty) and has the zingy acidity to stand up to any tartness coming from the cranberry. Should baked ham with pineapple be your choice (another sweet and salty combo), Riesling can easily take this on.
Read more: Organic Vs Biodynamic Vs Natural Wines: What’s The Difference
Red Wines are Great too
If white wines are not your preference, then try a Pinot Noir. This grape naturally displays red fruits with a dollop of cranberry notes which can mirror some of the flavours on your plate. Pinot Noir is light-bodied and shows low to medium tannins which offers a great pairing for white meats and will not overpower the food.
Don’t Forget the Rosé
Rosé wines are meant to be enjoyed year-round. They are versatile and can offer the best of both worlds giving the freshness of a white wine combined with red fruit flavours of a red wine. They work beautifully with seafoods and white meats. Perhaps you’ve decided to forego the traditional this weekend and do take-out sushi. The crisp acidity in most Rosés will cut through tempura oils and offer a complimentary weight to any seafoods.
From all of us at JAK’S, be safe, be happy and we are thankful for you all this weekend!
Baumer Rhein Riesling (Rheingau, Germany) – $19.99
Floral, apple, honey and melon aromas give this wine a very pleasant nose. The palate is slightly sweet, offering ripe apple, peach, melon and mango flavours with good acidity and a pleasant mouth feel. It finishes with lingering ripe peach and apple flavours. It’s pure deliciousness.
Le Champs des Grillons Rose (Languedoc, France) – $27.99
**On sale for $24.99
Such a delicious and elegant Rosé coming from Domaine La Croix Belle in the Languedoc. Crafted from Syrah and Grenache from vines upwards of 20 plus years. Delicate floral notes mingle with strawberry and raspberry along with a slight minerality. This dry rose shows vibrant acidity with a textural roundness on the palate. Great on its own or for pairing with seafoods and white meats.
Banshee Sonoma Pinot Noir (California) – $39.99
**On sale for $36.99
Macerated wild berries with a soft earthy undertone. Elegant style with fresh acidity, soft tannins and flavours of plum and red cherry combined with lingering sweet spice on the finish. Fantastic with turkey, duck and salmon or delicious on its own.