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Thanksgiving food and wine pairings
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Food and wine pairings
With Thanksgiving approaching, diners everywhere will be buying wines to pair with their Thanksgiving feasts and favorite holiday dishes. To help you pair wine and food like a pro, wine professionals across Texas have provided recommendations for your holiday gatherings.
Merrill Bonnarigo, owner of Messina Hof Winery and Resort, says that if you like white wine, consider pairing your turkey with a Gewürztraminer. If you like red, pair it with a Pinot Noir. And for a holiday wine and cheese gathering, try Port with a nice, blue-veined Stilton cheese.
Nichole Bendele of Becker Vineyards suggests staying away from heavier wines with your Thanksgiving meal. "It would overpower" the food, she said. "An Alsatian-style Gewürztraminer is good with holiday turkey, as well as the traditional cranberry sauce. Some light-bodied Pinot Noirs can complement holiday turkey, and some lighter-style Zinfandels can also be fun. And there is nothing wrong with using wine for reduction sauces or adding to gravies, or as a meat marinade."
Bell Mountain Vineyards skips the hot chocolate and breaks out KrisKindel to pair with cool weather. This red wine is served hot (but never boiled).
Sangiovese is the choice at Barking Rocks Winery where they recommend pairing it with spicy Italian appetizers.
Alamosa Wine Cellars owner Karen Johnson suggests dining with a Texas Rose. "It's a wine that holds up against the myriad flavors on the holiday table, yet doesn't overpower the star of the table, the roast turkey," Johnson said.
Pillar Bluff Vineyards owner Gill Bledsoe enjoys the holiday with Swiss cheese soup and a Chenin Blanc, followed by the main course -- duck paired with Pillar Bluff Vineyards' red Enology 101.
And for dessert, try some port. "Drink it with fruitcake, chocolate or just by itself," said Stone House Vineyard owner Angela Downer Moench.
Messina Hof's Bonarrigo noted that the emphasis on finding the perfect food and wine pairing can take the joy out of a meal, but that certain food and wine alliances can maximize their combined flavor potential. She explained that, in most cases, people try to pair an entrée or food item with a wine, but you can achieve the desired result by using certain spices or ingredients in your meal, regardless of what you're serving.
And for even more food and wine pairing advice or to learn more about Texas wines and vineyards visit http://gotexanwine.org.
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