Can you believe it’s just about time for the holidays again? Me, either!
I love the winter holidays. The coziness of the cooler weather is a great excuse to open your deeper-bodied reds and enjoy them by the fire. Not only that, but as we plan our big celebratory holiday meals, we get to indulge in some delicious wine that brings it all together.
Not sure what to pair with your turkey and stuffing dinner? Not to worry. I have some great suggestions for you so you can get started with your ordering process right away and miss the last minute Thanksgiving ordering rush.
Wines to Go with Your Thanksgiving Meal
My favorite wines to pair with the traditional Thanksgiving meal are Gewürztraminer and our awesome Fler Bleu is almost sold out and our over-the-top-fabulous Deluge Pinot Noir.
The manager at Whole Foods Market once told me that some of the best wine pairings are simple and easy, two adjectives that really describe these two wines.
The Pinot is lighter-bodied for the Thanksgiving foods like turkey and ham, and the GW has just a touch of sweetness which makes it the perfect compliment to things like cranberries, sweet potatoes and even savory dishes (like stuffing or green beans).
I’m no expert, but that’s the recommendation I give people – and they seem to love it!
Gifts for the Dinner Host
Okay, so maybe this year a kind friend invited you for Thanksgiving or you’re headed out of town to have the dinner with family members who will be cooking for you.
We all know how expensive a Thanksgiving meal can be, and what an incredible gift it is when someone invites you to join them at their dinner. You don’t want to show up empty-handed – and I have some great suggestions for host gifts!
Show your appreciation with a bottle of our Rose Pinot Noir, which is a perfect daytime wine! In fact, I recommend that you send this bottle beforehand so that whoever is slaving over the stove has a nice, chilled beverage to enjoy while she or he is cooking (this gift will keep momma in a MUCH better mood before the big meal!). Imagine standing in the kitchen, stirring a pot with one hand and sipping the rose with another. Mmm. Now that’s a visual I can stand behind!
Another really wonderful gift wine is our Petit Cadeau Semi-Seco. This sparkling wine won’t compete with the host’s carefully selected menu because it’s so light. I call it the “Little Black Dress” of wine gifts, always perfect always appreciated. You can dress it up or down.
Or, if you know your hosts enjoy dessert wine, bring one of our new dessert wines, which always contribute to a luxurious after-dinner experience.
Finally, a great gift is one of our decanters. A beautiful decanter is one of those things that people just don’t typically invest in on their own, but that makes a huge difference in serving wine. It’s a really lovely way to say, “thank you” to your host and to be remembered.
Plan Your Thanksgiving Meal
A quick note about planning a fantastic Thanksgiving meal: you’ll want to place your order at least 10 days before the actual date. Of course, you can always rush it if you need it urgently, but I think a minimum of 10 days is the perfect amount of time so you don’t feel stressed.
For normal parties, I suggest planning for each guest to drink half a bottle of wine, but for big celebratory meals like Thanksgiving, expect that each guest will drink a full bottle.
Besides, what’s the worst case if you over-order? You can always gift the wine later or save it for a romantic night in. Either way, you’ll be set for a wonderful holiday experience!