Our favorite, the Scar of the Sea Pinot Noir 2021, showcases aromas of red berries and dark chocolate and a balanced finish that pairs well with traditional Thanksgiving dishes. For the folks that are going the seafood themed thanksgiving menu, such as browned butter scallops or crab stuffed and baked lobster tails, you're going to need something to cut through all that gravy, and a mouth-puckering Pinot Gris will do. What to expect? Aromas of Honeycrisp apple and pear, and flavors like Meyer lemon and lime. Yum.
Scar of the Sea Pinot Noir 2021
Crisp aromas of raspberry, pomegranate and rose petals decorate the nose of this bottling. A lively texture introduces the tightly wound palate, where dewy tarragon and pomegranate flavors pair expertly. Deemed a chef's wine, this bottle will pair well with the main and side dishes. The best part is that priced under $35, it's a great value.
Brooks Willamette Valley Pinot Gris 2021
For the folks that are opting for a seafood Thanksgiving this year, Brooks Willamette Valley Pinot Gris is a great choice for you. A lovely and rich Pinot Gris with lively notes of nectarine, lemon, peach blossom, and golden delicious apple with saline, Fleur de sel finish. Spicy Indian cuisine & Asian cuisine are also exceptional with this refreshing bright Pinot Gris. Price: $24.99 ea.
Liquid Farm Rosé of Mourvèdre 2021
Liquid Farm wines reflect an Old World style while embracing the local Santa Barbara County viticulture and climate. This rose is based on the Mourvèdre grape, crisp, clean, refreshing, low in alcohol (11.5%), and has tons of personality. White peach, apricot, tea leaves, mandarin orange oil. Perfect to serve alongside lobster, Charcuterie, and grilled veggies. Price: $29.00 ea.
Romuald Petit Saint-Amour Les Billards 2020
The northernmost Beaujolais Cru gives wines with dark fruit and pronounced granite minerality, and Romuald Petit has certainly captured the essence of the appellation in this terrific bottle of Gamay. Plenty of deep black fruit, for sure, but also a savory element on top of the aromas and bottom of the very long, rich, stony finish. Throw your turkey, ham, or spice-covered vegetable sides at this wine; it will keep on singing. Price: $24.99 ea.
Domaine de Bellene Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru Les Hauts Jarrons 2014
If you're looking to add a touch of luxury to your showstopping Thanksgiving feast, this red burgundy will not disappoint! This Premier Cru is situated in the southern half of Savigny, close to Beaune proper. Here it has produced a ripe generous wine full of spicy smoky red fruits and balanced acidity. This wine has 8 years of bottle age already so it's going to be tasting fantastic now. Price $138.00 ea.
So, you're hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year and want to impress your guests with a wine list that goes beyond the usual suspects. We get it.
Wine doesn't have to be complicated. In fact, trying to match wines to individual flavors or dishes is a recipe for disaster. Instead, go for bottles that complement a wide variety of foods. You need wines that can blanket the entire dinner.
Light-bodied red wines that avoid heavy use of oak are a great option. These wines tend to pack enough fruit and acid to complement but not overshadow a range of dishes and flavors. "French Gamay, especially Cru Beaujolais, is considered a go-to wine when pairing with Thanksgiving dinner."
Pinot Noir—especially fine-boned and sea-kissed like many of those made in Santa Barbara—is another great choice. "Pinot Noir is a food-friendly wine that often shows classic fall flavors such as cranberry, red apple skin, dried leaves, and allspice.
