Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays! It’s the day where we celebrate the year’s harvest with family and loved ones. Most of us celebrate by cooking a delicious savory meal that includes turkeys, roasted dishes/casseroles, winter fruits and vegetables, and pumpkin pie. There isn’t a better way to celebrate than by adding a few amazing wines to your festivities!

Sparkling Rosé

First of all, there is nothing better than a glass of bubbles. Start your day off with a nice refreshing glass or pair with your meal. Sparkling rosés are flavorful enough to be paired with your dinner and display beautiful bouquets of fresh red fruits that accentuate cranberry flavors in dishes. They also act as a nice palate cleanser either before your meal or after the main course to transition you into desserts.

Cantina di Mogoro Brut Rosé

This wine is from the island of Sardinia and is made in the tank method over a 90 day period. The aromas are flowery with red fruit aromas and a slight note of bread crust. This is a pleasant fresh and savory wine.

Villa Parens Rosé de Noirs

This is a traditional sparkling rosé wine to rival those made from Champagne. It consists of 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Pinot Meunier (the classic and traditional red grapes for Champagne). There are aromas of raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, and roses with long persistent bubbles.

Medium Body Reds

While some of you may prefer a big bold Cabernet Sauvignon, medium body reds are a better match for your poultry. These wines all pair extremely well with turkey, gravy, and roasted vegetables.

Cantina Ariano Primitivo (Zinfandel)

Zinfandels help amplify Thanksgiving spices such as clove, cinnamon, and allspice. This wine is from southern Italy in the Puglia region and is dark ruby red with flavors of blackberry, blackcurrant, and a sweet spice finish.

Cantina di Mogoro Vignaruja (Grenache)

Grenache is a juicy and fruity red wine that dominates in red fruit flavors and a touch of minerality. These wines pair particularly well with roasted squash, stuffing, gravy, and smoked turkey. This wine is garnet with flavors of redcurrant, cherry, thyme, and rosemary and has a smooth finish.

Villa Parens Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir)

Pinot Noir does really well with a wide variety of foods ranging from simple flavors all the way to cream based dishes like your casserole or mashed potatoes. They also pair well with poultry and accentuate cranberry-like flavors. This wine is from northeast Italy in the Friuli region and is ruby red with flavors of blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries with a long smooth finish.

Other Tasty Options

Villa Parens Blanc de Blancs

Sparkling wines act as a refreshing palate cleansers with gravy and stuffing as well as full bodied enough to complement turkey and cranberry sauces. This wine contains 70% Chardonnay and 30% Ribolla Gialla (a white grape native to north east Italy) which combine to create a full bodied creamy sparkling wine with notes of fresh fruit.

Goretti Grechetto

A medium bodied white wine with flavors of peach, pear, and almonds- it goes well with roasted vegetables, turkey, mashed potatoes, and casseroles.

Cantina Ariano Rosé

Similar to sparkling rosé- rosés have lots of fresh red fruit flavors that complement cranberry flavors in dishes while also having enough intensity and body to pair with turkey and mashed potatoes.

**These wines can be found locally at HyVees, County Markets, and Grown n Gathered.