Tours & TastingsEntertaining

2022 Thanksgiving Wine Picks and Festive Holiday Events

  • Nov 17, 2022
  • By Vineyard Vixen

I absolutely love Thanksgiving, it is possibly my favorite holiday meal of the year, follow me for tips on cooking the best Turkey ever!

I absolutely love Thanksgiving, it is possibly my favorite holiday meal of the year. From the silky mashed potatoes, rich gravy, tangy herby stuffing, to cranberry sauce I just cherish them all. However, there's one thing I absolutely cannot stand and that's a dry bird. This aversion perhaps led to me becoming a bit of a turkey snob.

My husband and friends can tell you that I am hard-pressed to go anywhere other than my own kitchen on Thanksgiving. My apple cider brined roast turkey is the juiciest and most flavorful turkey ever, as rated by friends and family, and is second only to my sourdough sausage stuffing.  I would say the "critics" were just being polite if it wasn't for their overwhelming requests for me to make "LOTS" of stuffing so they can take home plenty of leftovers. I've even caught my sister on more than one occasion noshing on a bowlful of stuffing piled high for breakfast the next day.

I've definitely roast my share of turkeys having roast my very first turkey when I was just 7 years old.  Over the years I have tried many different preparation techniques and I have found it is well worth the time to brine the bird.   Needless to say, I have more than a little experience when it comes to Thanksgiving dinner.

 

Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner

Roasting the perfect Turkey Dinner isn't rocket science

 

There's no need to "wing" it when it comes to your holiday meal wine selections. Years of preparing Thanksgiving dinner has also provided me with the opportunity to try a variety of wine pairings along the way. All that "research" has led me to discover pairings that are, well let's just say rather interesting (eh hem) and others that were just short of celestial. For traditional Thanksgiving menus there are a few superstars that will elevate your holiday experience.

Personally, I believe that every special meal should begin with Champagne or sparkling wine. Not only does the sound of cork popping evoke feelings of excitement and puts your guests into a celebratory mood instantly, but a glass of bubbly also has been known to incite copious clinking of glasses inspiring heartfelt toasts. Oh, and bubbly just happens to pair fabulously with appetizers. Be sure to stock several bottles to keep glasses filled from welcome cocktails to dessert.

For the main event, even if you are not going as far to pair each course with a specific wine, you will want to offer at least a red and a white wine for guests to choose from. Please refrain from plucking a cabernet from the cellar such a big bold wine is best suited for other decadent holiday meals that will be here soon enough. Roast turkey and the wonderful side dishes that go with it tend to favor medium to light bodied reds.

Varietals to consider are Grenache, Nebbiolo, Tempranillo, and Rioja. These are all fantastic options; however, an overwhelming Thanksgiving fan favorite is Pinot Noir. This medium bodied wine with its delightful balance of earthy notes, baking spice, and a tease of bright berry or even cherry is an ideal choice for your Thanksgiving meal.

When it comes to the white wine selection, Chardonnay is a tried-and-true staple. You can play it safe or go for the WOW factor by pouring a dry to off-dry Riesling. The acidity and very subtle sweetness of Riesling will balance the richness of buttery mashed potatoes while enhancing cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes.

 

2020

2021 Acumen Mountainside Rosé 

 

I would remiss if I did not talk about rosé. This is hands down one of my favorite Thanksgiving wine pairings. Yes, I am talking about the same rose that you guzzled all summer long. Come mid-fall this blushing beauty is an absolute showstopper for your Thanksgiving meal. Honestly, if you could only pick one wine for your holiday celebration, then rosé would be it. From baked brie appetizers to pumpkin pie this wine loves them all. My go-to Rose is Acumen Wine's 2021 Mountainside Rosé which sells out fast.

No matter which wines you choose for your holiday celebration, remember nothing will be better than the ones you share with friends, family and loved ones. Through all the hustle and bustle take time to count your blessings and let your heart be filled with gratitude as you savor the precious time with your loved ones this holiday season.

Happy Thanksgiving!

From The Vineyard Vixen

 

 2022 Thanksgiving Wine Picks

Sparkling Wine

Schramsberg Vineyards - 2013 J. Schram Noirs

V. Sattui Winery - 2018 Prestige Cuvee Brut Rose 

Bogle Family Vineyards - 2018 Blanc de Blancs

 

Rose

Colterris Winery - 2020 CORAL White Cabernet Sauvignon

Acumen Wine - 2021 Mountainside Rose

Browne Family Vineyards - 2020 Grenache Rose

 

Riesling

Messina Hof Winery - 2021 Dry Riesling

Scott Harvey Wines - 2021 Jana's American Riesling

Trefethen Family Vineyards - 2021 Dry Riesling

 

Chardonnay

Longshadows Vintners - 2020 Dance Chardonnay

Schug Carneros Estate - 2019 Estate Chardonnay

Mazzocco Sonoma - 2020 Chardonnay Reserve, Stuhlmuller, Alexander Valley

 

Pinot Noir

Claiborne Churchill - 2020 Classic Pinot Noir

Tudor - 2015 Boekenoogen Pinot Noir

Colene Clemens - 2019 Margo Pinot Noir

 

 

Visit Our Featured Tasting Rooms

 

Festive Holiday Events

Holiday Sip & Savor 2022

Boeger Winery

Holiday Sip & Savor 2022

Placerville, CA

Saturday, November 19, 2022, 11:00 AM

Saracina's 2nd Annual Pop-Up Holiday Shop!

Saracina Vineyards

Saracina's 2nd Annual Pop-Up Holiday Shop!

Hopland, CA

Saturday, December 3, 2022, 11:00 AM

Holiday Barrel Tasting

Breaux Vineyards

Holiday Barrel Tasting

Purcellville, VA

Saturday, December 3, 2022, 12:00 PM

Jolly Garden Party

Dutton Estate Winery

Jolly Garden Party

Sebastopol, CA

Sunday, December 4, 2022, 1:00 PM

Cooking Party with the Chef: Gingerbread House Building

Messina Hof Harvest Green Winery & Kitchen

Cooking Party with the Chef: Gingerbread House Building

Richmond, TX

Tuesday, December 6, 2022, 6:30 PM

Ho Ho Homicide - Murder Mystery Dinner

Messina Hof Grapevine Winery

Ho Ho Homicide - Murder Mystery Dinner

Grapevine, TX

Friday, December 9, 2022, 7:00 PM

3rd Annual Christmas Market: MORNING ENTRY! 10am start!

Rancho Roble Vineyards

3rd Annual Christmas Market: MORNING ENTRY! 10am start!

Lincoln, CA

Saturday, December 10, 2022, 10:00 AM

Holiday Soiree

Mediterranean Vineyards

Holiday Soiree

Somerset, CA

Saturday, December 10, 2022, 2:00 PM

Boxwood Estate Winery

"Royal Tasting" - Holiday Food Pairing

Middleburg, VA

Saturday, December 10, 2022, 4:00 PM

MERRYVALE ANNUAL HOLIDAY DINNER

Merryvale Vineyards

MERRYVALE ANNUAL HOLIDAY DINNER

St. Helena, CA

Saturday, December 10, 2022, 6:00 PM

Winterfest Wine Dinner

Messina Hof Harvest Green Winery & Kitchen

Winterfest Wine Dinner

Richmond, TX

Thursday, December 15, 2022, 6:30 PM

Happy Hour & Yuletide Tunes With Kathleen!

Cathedral Ridge Winery

Happy Hour & Yuletide Tunes With Kathleen!

Dundee, OR

Friday, December 16, 2022, 6:00 PM

Related Articles

View other articles