Foodies everywhere know the pleasure of a gastronomically indulgent dinner. With the proliferation of celebrity chefs, TikTok recipe videos, and perfectly curated plates dominating our FYPs the message is clear: What ends up on our plates stays on our minds. But what is a good meal without a bottle of wine to accompany it? Every superhero needs a sidekick, every captain needs a crew. With Thanksgiving around the corner let’s explore the many flavours that fill our glasses, delight our senses, and increase indulgence.

When purchasing wine with a specific meal in mind there are many factors to consider like how the dish is being prepared, the flavours, body, acidity, balance, contrast, and of course personal preference. With so many moving parts, pairing can seem intimidating. There are a couple of pairing rules we’ve seen cement themselves in the broader culture like “White wine with white meat and, red wine with red meat” or “What grows together goes together”. As general guidelines these “rules” are ok, but every rule is meant to be broken. A lighter red wine like Pinot Noir can pair beautifully with lighter meats like grilled chicken or salmon. Understanding how wine and food taste and interact with each other is fundamental to pairing.

With a turkey on the table along with all the classic seasonal accoutrement the first instinct is to go for a white wine.

Tantalus Riesling: 90+ Points

Riesling gets a bad reputation as being “too sweet” but really this is a stereotype as many bottles are made dry. Characterized by its zippy acidity Riesling is the jack-of-all trades when it comes to pairing, cutting through the richness of the Thanksgiving meal.

Idi di Marzo Montepulciano D’Abruzzo: 90+ Points

But what about those red wine lovers at the table? For them, the Italian Montepulciano D’Abruzzo is an excellent choice. Not too light but not too robust, this wine’s berry flavours reflect the cranberry sauce making a harmonious pairing.

We hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving! 

Written by our Expert, Laura — Mid Island Liquor, Hammond Bay