Thanksgiving Wines Made Easy

It's not easy picking out wines for a Thanksgiving meal--even for us wine pros it can be a challenge! One wine may go well with the turkey, but does it mesh with the sweet potatoes and the brussels sprouts? Another may be great with the first course, but will you still want to be drinking it by the time the dishes have been cleared and dessert is on its way? There's a lot to consider when pairing wine with a complete Thanksgiving dinner. A good rule of thumb is to have lots of different wines around--that way there's something for everyone (and isn't variety more fun, anyway?) Here's what we're drinking for the holiday this year:

Hugel Gentil: A longtime Shubie's favorite, this soft, dry and delightfully aromatic Alsatian white has the flavor to stand up to all the fixings on your plate. We always recommend having at least one Alsatian/German wine on the Thanksgiving table--they have the flavors, aroma, and structure to stand up to almost any food. The only trouble with this one is that you may drink it all before dinner!

Raymond Chardonnay, R Series: If you're having a crowd over for dinner, it's almost inevitable that someone will want a Chardonnay. This is a great pick: smooth, dry California Chardonnay, with just the slightest hint of oak. It's got great balance, and has quickly become one of our most popular whites. 

Ranga Ranga Sauvignon Blanc: With all the full, rich flavors of a Thanksgiving meal, people usually need something a little refreshing by the end of it, and nothing says "refreshing" like a glass of cold New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Crisp and citrusy, don't be afraid to serve this wine at the end of the meal, when palates are getting a little exhausted. Another reason to like the wine: the winery is owned by Marblehead resident Ed Barker, and his winemaker brother Simon. Hooray for local business!

Shoo Fly Shiraz: the sweet potato solution

Ninety Plus Cellars French Fusion: Tons of flavor, not too heavy. Just what you need in a red for Thanksgiving. This one is a delicious blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre from the south of France. Its bright fruit makes it perfect both before and during the meal. 

Cartlidge & Browne Pinot Noir: No Thanksgiving meal is complete without a Pinot Noir. With its relatively high acidity and undertones of cinnamon and other fall spices, this grape is ideally suited for Turkey Day. This is one of our best selling California Pinots: medium bodied, with bright cherry flavors, it's a bargain for any Pinot lover. 

Shoo Fly Shiraz: Wines greatest nemesis on the Thanksgiving table: sweet potatoes. Their sweet flavor coats the palate, making almost anything you drink afterward taste just a little bit wrong. The solution: Shoo Fly Shiraz. A rich juicy Aussie red, it's always a crowd-pleaser, and can stand up to anything. Even sweet potatoes!