HG Wine & Bar
The Best Wines to Pair with Your Thanksgiving Dinner
This year, think quality – not quantity
Keeping your circle small is sometimes preferable to large dinners with extended family and can be a chance to focus on quality — not quantity. As you plan a more intimate Thanksgiving, opt for roast chicken instead of turkey (most prefer it anyway), lay a beautiful table, and splurge on really good wine. We asked Shawn Augustine from the Vintages section of our local LCBO to hand-pick some of his favourite wines to pair with your harvest meal. Augustine reinforces that both red and white wines pair well with a Thanksgiving meal, but warns against heavier reds and oaky whites. Instead he suggests choosing a wine that blankets the entire dinner, such as a light-bodied Gamay or a South African Chenin Blanc. By focusing on small pleasures, you may just find a way to spread the attitude of gratitude during a remarkable time in our lives.
The Wine: Chateau Teyssier 2016
This bold Bordeaux scored a 93 from American wine critic, James Suckling, due to its aromas of plums, dark berries and hints of cedar and sandalwood.
The Glass: Zalto Bordeaux
The curve of the bowl of this glass is influenced by the tilt angles of the Earth, at 24 degrees, 48 degrees and 72 degrees. Lead free and ideal for Bordeaux, Rioja, Brunello, Merlot and Shiraz.
The Wine: Marchand-Tawse Côte de Nuits-Village 2017
This Pinot Noir from Burgundy is bright and fresh with considerable depth and a balanced finish. Look for cherry, earth and mineral notes.
The Glass: Pure Burgundy
This glass has a dramatically angled bowl for a contemporary product and perfect pour line for most reds.
The Wine: Novellum
Augustine's favourite pick for Thanksgiving, this French Chardonnay, was brought up in stainless steel, with just a hint of oak, resulting in a 91 rating by wine critic, Jeb Dunnuck.
The Glass: Zalto White Wine
Recommended for a full range of fruit-forward white wines, but also works nicely with a medium-bodied red.
Make it a Roast Chicken this Year
There's nothing quite like a roast chicken. At once rustic and sophisticated, it's fragrant, crackly and tastes like home. As we all know, food isn't just something we eat, it's an experience that's meant to be shared. So if you're looking to perfect your roast chicken skills this weekend, take your cue from one of the world's best chefs, Thomas Keller.
