The ultimate Thanksgiving mixed case is here! We’ve taken the guess work out of your Thanksgiving wine preparation. This list will help you decide which wines to serve in order to get the best value for this spectacular day.
Choosing a single wine for Thanksgiving dinner is difficult, given the diverse array of dishes and flavors. Savory meat, both light and dark, tart cranberries, herbaceous stuffing, creamy mashed potatoes, the list goes on. I recommend serving smaller pours of several different types so that guests have a variety of choices and can taste a wine with each side dish.
These twelve gorgeous wines will pair expertly with your meal, impress your guests, and save you a ton of loot! Thanksgiving dinner for a crowd is not the time to spend a fortune on wine. The bird is, of course, the star of the show and these wines will serve to enhance the meal.
The whites include floral and perfumed Rieslings and Pinot Gris, a bit off-dry to match sweet yams, and offer tart acidity to pair with veggies like green beans. They are fresh, unoaked and never flabby. The reds offer bright acidity and low-tannin like Pinot Noir, Gamay, Grenache, and Zinfandel. They are softer and fragrant without being overly jammy. The tart cherry and cranberry character, along with allspice, anise, nutmeg, and cinnamon flavors pair wonderfully with most traditional sides. The rich and earthy mushroom notes found in Pinot Noir make a great match with classic turkey. For the perfect end to the perfect meal, finish with a glass of Château de Pena Muscat de Rivesaltes Dancing Couple for only $4.99. Honeysuckle, white roses, apricot, and orange zest with subtle sweetness will match your pumpkin pie beautifully and leave your guests with a sweet taste in their mouths.
Whites
- 2013 Canals and Munne Dionysus Cava Rosé Cava, Spain ($19.99)
Start with a welcome glass of sparkling wine as a festive treat for guests. Elegant, celebratory, and food-friendly, the high acidity cuts through fat and the minerality adds depth to meaty flavors. The bright strawberry notes also make it the perfect partner for turkey. Made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes, notes of rose petals and dried herbs are pronounced.
- 2013 Wunsch et Mann Pinot Gris Clotilde Organic Alsace, France ($17.99)
A dry, lighter-bodied Pinot Gris, this wine is elegant, floral, with stony minerality and crisp freshness.
- 2011 Von Hövel Riesling Kabinett, Saar, Germany ($19.99)
The noble Riesling grape is full of complexity, mouth-watering acidity, and lively freshness. That’s why you’ll want more than one bottle for Thanksgiving dinner! The 21-hectare von Hövel Estate is located in the Saar and offers a honeyed and fresh palate with notes of green apple, Thai basil, and lime.
- 2014 Cascina Adelaide Langhe Nascetta di Novello, Piedmont, Italy ($19.99)
100% Nascetta, an ancient Italian variety that almost went extinct, this wine is aromatic, crisp and mineral driven. Bright tones of grapefruit, white flowers, mango, and honey. A hint of crisp citrus lingers on the long finish.
- 2016 d’Arenberg Stump Jump White RMS, McLaren Vale, Australia ($11.99)
A blend of Riesling (60%) Sauvignon Blanc (20%) Marsanne (11%) and Roussanne (9%) the complexity of this blend shines through in the exotic tropical aromas. Citrus, white peach, and pineapple are followed by a rich creamy texture. The almondy finish and bright acidity creates a refreshing wine with lots of complexity that keeps you coming back to your glass to discover more.
- 2010 Schloss Schonborn Riesling Estate Kabinett, Rheingau, Germany ($19.99)
Bright and decedent, this Kabinett offers luscious notes of honey, green apples, ginger, pear, and orange blossom. The hint of sweetness on the palate is perfectly balanced.
Reds
- 2015 QUO Garnacha Campo de Borja, Spain ($9.99)
Quo proves that you don’t need to spend a lot to drink good wine at Thanksgiving. Exotic aromas of red cherry and strawberries. A hint of bubble gum, spice, and a soft finish will complement T-day sides wonderfully.
- 2015 Barrique Cellars Zinfandel, Knight’s Valley, California ($19.99)
Our private label Zinfandel displays loads of black raspberry and blackberry fruit intermixed with black pepper and spice. Full-bodied, rich, layered and multidimensional, an incredible value.
- 2014 Cascina Adelaide Dolcetto Di Diano d’Alba, Piedmont, Italy ($19.99)
Red cherry and red currant are delightful on the nose. Soft, ripe plums, blackberries and a touch of green herbs linger on the long finish.
- 2011 Cote Ouest La Clape, Languedoc-Roussillon, France ($19.99)
Medium bodied with aromas of cherry and licorice on the nose and palate. The Grenache in the blend comes through with a hint of eucalyptus, dark chocolate, and juicy red berries.
- 2015 Apolloni Pinot Noir Capitol Hill Cuvee, Willamette Valley, Oregon ($19.99)
This is an incredible value bottled exclusively for Schneider’s. A hidden gem from Oregon with delicate red fruit and a long, smooth, velvety finish. Bright notes of cranberries, and red cherries followed by the classic Willamette Valley rustic character of mushroom and earth.
- 2015 Bichot Fleurie La Madone, Beaujolais, France ($19.99)
The Fleurie cru is nicknamed, the “Queen of Beaujolais,” as these wines are considered to be the most “feminine” of the crus. Delightful raspberry notes and rich baking spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, and even purple violets. This is perfect for dark meat turkey and acts as if you scoped a dollop of cranberry sauce on top.
Visit Elyse Genderson at Schneider’s of Capitol Hill to discover wines you love.
