Every year as the holiday season approaches, I am asked about my favorite wine and food pairings. Whether that be for the Thanksgiving table or various holiday celebrations, I find that this time of year I am always thinking about what to pour during the holidays.
The challenge with selecting the perfect wines for Thanksgiving is the variety of food that is served. Mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes (with or without the marshmallows), green beans, all varieties of stuffing and gravy and of course turkey, make for quite the mash-up of food. How do you decide what to serve?
There is no wrong answer to the perfect wines for your Thanksgiving table. I find it best to have a variety of wine on hand to suit the diversity of the Thanksgiving meal and differing palates across the table. Your cousin may love Rhone varietals while your grandmother won’t drink anything but Chardonnay.
Therefore, versatility and lots of glassware are your best bet for the holiday season! Here are a few suggestions from the Clif Family cellar that I would recommend as versatile enough for the complexity of the Thanksgiving table.
Thanksgiving Dinner Wine Suggestions
Clif Family 2017 Gewürztraminer
($30/$24 wine club) – the aromatics and slight spicy character of this wine make it a very versatile white wine. It pairs well with many of the dishes you will find at the table.
($36/$28.80 wine club) –this wine fits the bill for a lighter style red at the table. A burst of acidity, lighter tannin structure and abundant fruit will make it a crowd pleaser for pairing.
Clif Family 2016 Climber Red Bordeaux Blend
($38/$30.40 wine club) – this wine has a richer tannin structure that will please the palates of those who prefer a heartier wine with dinner.
Clif Family 2016 Cold Springs Vineyard Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
($125 750ml/$285 1.5L) – if you are looking to splurge, look no further than a bottle of our recently released Cold Springs Cabernet Sauvignon. With a juicy and luscious mid-palate, soft tannins, great balance and a long finish, you may opt for a glass of this instead of pumpkin pie.