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- Ina Garten recommends celebrating Thanksgiving with special wines, like French Morgon or American Pinot Noir.<\/li>\n
- Sommelier Tess Housholder shares expert pairings, from budget-friendly Burgundy whites to bold Russian River Valley reds.<\/li>\n
- The key to a perfect Thanksgiving wine pairing is choosing bottles that enhance your dishes\u2014not overpower them. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nWhen most people think about putting together a mouth-watering Thanksgiving feast, the turkey always takes priority\u2014followed by the gravy, sides, yummy pie, and, oh right, some wine. Come turkey day, a bottle of vino may not have as much main character energy as your signature green bean casserole, but it shouldn\u2019t be an afterthought. Just ask Ina Garten.<\/p>\n
In the latest installment of her Substack newsletter<\/a>, the Barefoot Contessa was asked about her go-to wine pairings for the upcoming holiday. \u201cI always choose something special to celebrate Thanksgiving,\u201d Garten wrote.<\/p>\n
Of course, even the pros admit that finding a \u201cwow\u201d varietal and vintage can be easier said than done. \u201cI understand the pressure of finding one or two bottles that will be a crowd-pleaser for everyone,\u201d explains Tess Housholder, sommelier at Appellation Hotels Healdsburg<\/a>. <\/p>\n
\n Garten reveals she loves to entertain with Morgon, \u201ca light red\u201d that hails from France\u2019s Beaujolais region. However, if you prefer white wine, she says a Burgundy like a Meursault or Montrachet \u201ctastes delicious with turkey.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nShop Ina Garten-Approved Thanksgiving Wines<\/h5>\n
\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n![\"Domaine](\"https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com\/1762899371-DomaineHenriPerrussetMacon-Villages.png?crop=1xw:1.00xh;center,top&resize=980:*\" "\\"Domaine")
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\n\nDomaine Henri Perrusset Macon-Villages 2023<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n![\"Daniel-Etienne](\"https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com\/1762899589-untitled-design-52-6913b671ebb68.png?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*\" "\\"Daniel-Etienne")
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\n\nDaniel-Etienne Defaix Chablis Vieilles Vignes 2013<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n![\"Cirq](\"https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com\/1762899991-untitled-design-53-6913b7d1cf208.png?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*\" "\\"Cirq")
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\n\nCirq Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2018<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
If you want to indulge in the creaminess of a Burgundy\u2014a.k.a. a chardonnay grown in France’s Burgundy region\u2014Housholder recommends a 2023 Henri Perrusset Macon-Villages<\/a>. \u201cWe find some crisp, delicious green apple that\u2019s complemented by the walnut of the traditional M\u00e2con style,\u201d she shares. \u201cInternational wines also don\u2019t have to have an intimidating price tag: This bottle can be found for under $25.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the Perrusset will pair nicely with a fall salad, she recommends drinking 2013 Domaine Daniel-Etienne Defaix Chablis Vieilles Vignes<\/a> with sweet potatoes. \u201cMy mouth is watering just thinking about this creamy match made in heaven,\u201d Housholder adds. \u201cWhen poured in the glass, this wine becomes liquid gold and is a unique crowd pleaser for your Chardonnay-loving guest.\u201d<\/p>\n
Though Garten is partial to French wines, she\u2019ll also pour some local blends. \u201cSince turkey day is, after all, an American holiday, I often opt for an American wine,\u201d Garten writes. \u201cSay, a light red Pinot Noir from the Sonoma Valley.\u201d <\/p>\n
California has no shortage of Pinot Noir, but Housholder is particularly fond of the options from Browne Family Wines<\/a>. \u201cThe 2018 Russian River Valley CIRQ<\/a> is the pinnacle of what pinot noir can offer in that year,\u201d she shares. \u201cIf you are looking for more spice structure, I have really enjoyed the 2016 CIRQ\u2019 Bootleggers Hill\u2019 Russian River Valley<\/a>. Michael [Browne] took a single vineyard of exceptional fruit to bring us the wine that can be shared with our friends and family this holiday season.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nShop Ina Garten-Approved Thanksgiving Wines<\/h5>\n
\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n![\"Cirq](\"https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com\/1762900420-untitled-design-54-6913b974d3e79.png?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*\" "\\"Cirq")
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\n\nCirq Bootlegger’s Hill Pinot Noir 2016<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n![\"Perrier](\"https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com\/1762900636-untitled-design-55-6913ba74d3dc8.png?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*\" "\\"Perrier")
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\n\nPerrier Jouet Grand Brut Champagne<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n![\"Borrasca](\"https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com\/1762900774-untitled-design-56-6913baf7247cc.png?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*\" "\\"Borrasca")
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As for dessert? Gaten\u2019s all about breaking out the bubbly. \u201cPop the cork on a good champagne like Perrier-Jou\u00ebt<\/a> or a less expensive Italian Prosecco<\/a>,\u201d the Barefoot Contessa wrote. \u201cClinking of glasses is encouraged!\u201d<\/p>\n
For Housholder, the secret to choosing a perfect Thanksgiving pairing lies in your menu. \u201cThink of the bases of the meal and build off of that,\u201d she says. \u201cElevate, not overwhelm, whatever else you have on the plate.\u201d <\/p>\n
Housholder recommends finding a wine that complements the tartness of your cranberry sauce, but says finding a turkey-friendly blend can be hard. \u201cIt\u2019s a white meat that can be overwhelmed easily,\u201d Housholder says. \u201cYou want a red that has some cranberry tartness, silky smooth texture, and light tannins that won\u2019t hide the other elements on the plate.\u201d <\/p>\n
But while Garten and Householder have great ideas for Thanksgiving wine pairings, there\u2019s more to a great feast than an impressive chardonnay or cuv\u00e9e. \u201cMore than anything, what\u2019s important isn\u2019t the price tag or the label on the wine,\u201d Householder says. \u201cIt\u2019s that you get to take the time and sit with your loved ones over a meal and enjoy what\u2019s on your plate and in your glass.\u201d We\u2019ll toast to that!
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