Wine Box Experience - Karen Joiner

Cheers to the Festive Feasts

As the holidays are approaching, we can’t talk about the season without talking about the meals. By now, we all know there is nothing that goes better with a great holiday meal than the perfect wine pairing. The beauty about this conversation is that the selection of wines we can pair are endless. It all depends on the type of food you’re serving. A lot of factors can influence this decision. Culture, country, holiday celebration, so on and so on... So let’s take a closer look into these possible factors.

The obvious place to start is with the biggest holiday celebration on the horizon. Thanksgiving is probably the one event which revolves itself around a meal, so it only makes sense we address it first. The main character of most traditional thanksgiving meals is the big bird itself, the turkey, but to avoid being labeled a fowl-ist, let’s stick with the category of poultry as the main attraction. Nothing pairs better with our feathered feasts then the classic pairing of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. But if you lean more towards a baked ham, the same wine selection still ends up on the table. The key here is to not pour something which will overpower the delicate profile of poultry.

Other wine selections can really standout not just because of how well they complement, but also how they elevate the overall experience by keeping your wine selection interesting and dynamic. Let’s look at what selections are being brought to you this month.

First wine selection we are featuring is the Forge Cellars Riesling Dry Willow Vineyard. An excellent choice for pairing with Thanksgiving dinner due to its acidity, freshness, and complex fruit flavors. It pairs ideally with fatty holiday dishes like buttery mashed potatoes, gravy, and creamy casseroles, providing a palate-cleansing effect with every sip. Dry Rieslings often feature vibrant fruit & floral flavors, as well as mineral notes. These flavors pair beautifully with both savory dishes like turkey and stuffing, and slightly sweet sides like cranberry sauce and glazed carrots.

The next wine selection is the Cooper Mountain Vineyards Pinot Noir Willamette Valley. With its delicate balance of fruit, acidity, and earthy flavors, a pinot noir from Oregon is an essential elegant companion to the wide variety of dishes typically served. Known for its vibrant red fruit flavors, such as cherry, raspberry, and cranberry, which pair beautifully with roasted turkey and cranberry sauce. Ultimately, its versatility makes it an ideal pairing, as it can match both the savory and sweet elements of the meal.

Whatever you choose to put on your table the best approach is always to pour what you love. If you’re a big bold wine fan like a Zinfandel or you delight in an aromatic fresh white wine like a Riesling, you can still have these wines with your holiday meals. At the end of the day, thinking creatively with your wine pairings allows you to highlight the variety of dishes on the Thanksgiving table while making the experience even more enjoyable for you and your guests.