5 Wines for Your Thanksgiving Table
The following post was written by Heinen’s Wine Expert, Ed Thompkins.
As dedicated wine fans, we believe you don’t really need an occasion to pop the cork on a delicious bottle of vino, but Thanksgiving is our favorite holiday to give thanks for a selection of wines and foods that make wonderful seasonal pairings.
Just in time for Turkey Day, we’ve created a list of five wines (and pairing suggestions) that we think you will enjoy around your Thanksgiving table this year! Whether you’re in the mood to splurge, or looking for a bottle on a budget, we have something for everyone to sip!
Vin Hunter Prosecco
Few wines are more perfect to serve before the main feast than a deliciously frothy sparkler. As versatile as it is tasty, our most popular Italian Prosecco is back again for the holiday season and provides a refreshing compliment to a wide array of appetizers including seafood, cheese or charcuterie!
Alexander Valley Vineyards Gewurztraminer
As much fun to drink as it is to say “Ge-WURZ-tramier,” this incredibly aromatic wine from California’s Mendocino County is all about ripe fruit flavors that shine without oak barrel influences. The complex, “spicy” flavors of the wine are supported by pear and ginger-like notes that are delicious with foods that have a touch of sweetness, such as sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce.
Bonny Doon “Cigar Volant”
Don’t let the fun (and really cool) label fool you, there’s some serious wine inside this bottle! One of the original “Rhone Rangers” of California that specialize in producing wines from the traditional grapes of the Cotes-du-Rhone (a French wine-growing region), Bonny Doon captures intense fruit flavors and vibrant acidity in this delicious red. Made primarily from Grenache (with a few dollops of Syrah and Cinsault), this red berry and white pepper-flavored gem is a great value!
The pronounced berry flavors echo notes of cranberry – a classic accompaniment at the Thanksgiving table.
Rombauer Chardonnay
This staple Napa Valley Chardonnay is as consistent as it is delicious. With bold and intense flavors of apple, ripe peach, vanilla and butter, this is what a “splurge” Chardonnay tastes like!
Not only can this “big” Chardonnay deliver on flavor, but it will also pair wonderfully with the robust flavors at the Thanksgiving table. This is a wine that everybody will like, so make sure to have an extra bottle or two on hand!
Seghesio Zinfandel
There are not many red grapes that can rightfully be called an ‘”American original,” but Zinfandel is one of them! This classic “Zin” features an expressive burst of deep, dark fruits, charming spiciness and a richly-textured frame. If you’ve never tasted a truly great Zinfandel, this is your chance!
Wine fans who have missed out on the joys of Zinfandel are always surprised when they discover the exceptional ripeness and versatility of a wine like this. Not only is it great with Thanksgiving fare, but it’s also a star with Italian-inspired dishes and beef roasts.
