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Thanksgiving Wine Pairing Guide: Elevate Your Feast with Award-Winning Wines

Gold Themed Thanksgiving Table Setting
As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s time to think about pairing your feast with exceptional wines that enhance every dish on the table. This guide from Gold Medal Wine Club offers the perfect selections for each course, helping you create a luxurious and memorable holiday meal. With wines from our recent shipments, including Red Blends, Chardonnays, and Cabernet Sauvignons, your Thanksgiving can be elevated to a high-profile dining experience for true wine enthusiasts.

Begin with Chardonnay: A Sophisticated Start

Starting your Thanksgiving meal with a white wine that complements the flavors of autumn is an elegant choice, and a well-balanced Chardonnay offers the versatility needed to pair with a range of early courses. With its richness and complexity, Chardonnay matches beautifully with butternut squash soup, creamy mashed potatoes, and salads featuring roasted nuts or dried cranberries.

glass of chardonnay

Recommended Pair: The Chardonnay in the Gilded Gold Gift Set has notes of ripe apple, pear, and a touch of vanilla, adding a luxurious texture to creamy starters. Its balanced acidity cuts through the richness of buttery dishes without overpowering lighter, fresher flavors, making it an excellent way to begin your meal on a refined note.

A Fine Cabernet Sauvignon for Roasted Turkey and Savory Sides

Pair of red wine in a thanksgiving table

When it comes to a classic Christmas turkey dinner, few wines can elevate the experience like a rich, finely crafted Cabernet Sauvignon. Known for its bold structure and complex layers of flavor, this varietal is an ideal companion for roasted turkey and the array of savory sides that make the holiday meal so special.

Recommended Pair: Our Fine Vintage Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Napa Valley Magnum Set from The Gold Medal Wine Club is a standout choice for your festive feast. With its opulent notes of dark berries, cassis, and a touch of earthiness, this Cabernet perfectly complements the savory, herbaceous qualities of roasted turkey and stuffing. Its velvety tannins balance beautifully with the richness of gravy, while the wine’s bold fruit profile harmonizes with the tartness of cranberry sauce. Presented in an impressive magnum size, it’s not only a delicious pairing but also a statement piece for your holiday table.

Decadent Cabernet Sauvignon for Hearty Dishes and Dark Meats

If your Thanksgiving table includes richer dishes or dark meat, a robust Cabernet Sauvignon will elevate the meal. Known for its depth, structure, and complexity, Cabernet Sauvignon shines with hearty sides such as mushroom risotto, braised short ribs, or roasted root vegetables. Its tannins provide a pleasing contrast to the fat and richness in these dishes, enhancing each bite.

Red Wine with Dark Meat

Recommended Pair: Both Sky Devil 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon 'Reisacher Vineyards' and Pono Mana Reserve 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford in our Decadent Diamond Duo boasts dark cherry, blackcurrant, and subtle earthy notes, finished with refined tannins.

These Decadent wine’s complexity complements robust, flavorful dishes, making it a superb match for any indulgent additions to your Thanksgiving menu. Whether served with gravy-laden stuffing or roasted sweet potatoes, this Cabernet delivers a high-end experience worthy of your holiday table.

Chardonnay with Vegetarian Options

For those serving vegetarian dishes, a beautifully crafted Chardonnay. with a creamy texture and balanced acidity brings out the flavors in dishes like stuffed acorn squash or cauliflower gratin complement dishes featuring mushrooms, lentils, or roasted vegetables.

Elegant Dish on Restaurant

Recommended Pair: The Chardonnay of The Opulence Collection delivers that same complementary quality to dishes with roasted vegetables, grains, or creamy sauces.

Finish with Red Blend for Dessert Pairing

No Thanksgiving feast is complete without a sweet ending. For desserts like pecan pie, pumpkin pie, or dark chocolate treats, a well-rounded Red Blend or a Late-Harvest wine pairs beautifully. The hint of sweetness in these wines complements the spices and richness in Thanksgiving desserts, balancing each mouthful with nuanced, complex flavors.

Red wine with sweet desserts

Recommended Pair: The Red Blend of Gilded Gold Gift Set  offers subtle hints of plum, cocoa, and baking spices, making it a luxurious choice for pairing with holiday desserts. Its smooth, rich finish pairs perfectly with the caramelized flavors of pecan pie or the creamy texture of pumpkin pie, providing a memorable close to your Thanksgiving celebration.

Discover Your Thanksgiving Wine Selection with Gold Medal Wine Club

Pair of wine glass in a fancy marble counter

This Thanksgiving, make each course memorable by selecting wines that complement the flavors on your table. Gold Medal Wine Club offers a range of gift sets and club memberships, from the Gold Club’s exceptional values to the Diamond Club’s ultra-premium picks, allowing you to customize your wine pairings for an extraordinary dining experience.

Explore Our Gift Sets and Wine Clubs

Sample Gift Set

Create a luxurious Thanksgiving experience with award-winning wines from Gold Medal Wine Club. Perfect for sharing, gifting, or simply enjoying, these curated wines make every sip extraordinary and every dish unforgettable.

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