5 Great Splurge and Save Wines for Thanksgiving

Posted by: samy October 8, 2015 No Comments

Thanksgiving – only a few blinks away – is one of our Top 3 holidays. What’s better than gathering friends and family for a feast of rich turkey meat, sweet potatoes, earthy Brussles sprouts and tart cranberry sauce…? The wines that go with them.

Let’s just get something out of the way right now: to try and find one perfect wine for your Thanksgiving dinner may drive you mad, as the smorgasbord of options offer so many variables, it’s darn near impossible to settle on one sole match.

So instead we’ve put together a great options for all budgets to pair with your cornucopia of Thanksgiving treats.

Gamay

We love gamay. The grape of Beaujolais, it also does stunningly well here in Ontario. Gamay’s low tannin, bright acidity and fruity, spicy flavours make it so versatile for food pairings: from turkey to lamb, cranberry sauce to gravy. And it’s still such an unsung hero it’s pretty hard to find a bottle that comes in over $20.

Under $20 crowd pleaser: Domaine de la Madone “Le Perreon” Beaujolais-Villages, France 2014 $14.95 Vintages 981175

Over $20 splurge: Huff Estates Gamay, VQA Ontario 2012 $24.95 Vintages 423335

Chianti

Friends toasting wine glasses

Sangiovese – the red grape that makes Chiantis are highly appealing for their food friendly ways. Bright cherry, light spice and earthy flavours are typical along with fresh acidity. Sangiovese’s firmer tannins make it a great match for holiday tables showcasing roast beef or rack of lamb, but tannins are soft enough to work with any holiday feast.

Under $20 crowd pleaser: Basilica Cafaggio Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy 2010 $16.95 Vintages 421107

Over $20 splurge: Castello Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva, Tuscany, Italy 2011 $34.95 Vintages 719864

Riesling

An excellent wine to pair with just about any type of dish, Rieslings offer great bang for your food pairing buck. Naturally high acidity, balanced by a touch of sweetness and a great blend of fruit and mineral notes, this wine will cut the richness of fatty gravy and sweeter elements of the meal, while offering a refreshingly juicy compliment to (sometimes drier) white meats and lighter dishes.

Under $20 crowd pleaser: Pierre Sparr “Lieu Dit Altenbourg” Riesling, Alsace, France 2013 $16.95 Vintages 906016

Over $20 Splurge: Charles Baker “Picone Vineyard” Riesling, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, ON 2012 $35.20 Vintages 241182

Chardonnay

Rich, buttery and toasty, Chardonnay is a natural pairing for rich dishes like buttery mashed potatoes, aged cheeses like Cheddar or Gouda, and sweet, earthy squash. It’s full bodied nature also has the stuff to stand up to heartier meats like turkey or ham.

Under $20 crowd pleaser: Santa Alicia Gran Reserve “De Los Andes” Chardonnay, Maipo Valley, Chile 2013 $18.95 Vintages 406991

Over $20 Splurge: Nicolas Potel Montagny 1er Cru, Burgundy, France 2010 $28.95 Vintages 127431

Sparkling

Not just for weddings and New Year’s, sparkling wine is a great way to get the party started. Lively bubbles and refreshing acidity make it an easy pairing for a myriad of hors d’oeuvres – and an elegant way to start the festivities.