We are always going to reach for a glass of Garden State wine for any feast because the diverse range of grapes and styles of wine make New Jersey wines both easy and pleasurable to pair with a diverse range of foods.
And if any phrase sums up a “typical” Thanksgiving feast in the United States, it would probably be “diverse range.”
Even if you’re sticking to classics like deviled eggs, crudité + dip, cheese + charcuterie and pigs in a blanket for hors d’oeuvres; roasted turkey, candied yams, mashed potatoes, buttery biscuits, sausage stuffing, cranberry sauce and green beans with almonds for the main; apple and pumpkin pie for dessert, there will be an enormous symphony of flavors to contend with, from spicy to salty to savory to sweet.
Pairing wine with food is generally based on flavor, right, and to a lesser extent texture? In recognition of the diversity of flavors, spices, textures and cuisines so many Garden State home chefs bring to the table on Thanksgiving, instead of recommending the go-to turkey + Pinot Noir pairings, we’re going to focus on flavors and textures. And since November is New Jersey Wine Month, we encourage you to weave NJ wines into your holiday celebration with our help below:
Let’s Get the Ball Rolling: Chardonnay
Chardonnay is an MVP when it comes to kicking off any celebration in delicious style. Whether you’re snacking on cheese and charcuterie, or getting into pigs in a blanket, deviled eggs or any other goodies, a crisp glass of chilled Chard will be a tasty partner.
Auburn Road’s Barrel Reserve Chardonnay is sourced exclusively from their estate Featherbed Vineyard. The time in the barrel means the wine will be fresh and bright—but also creamy,—with notes of tropical fruit, apple and creamed spice. This popular white wine is a la lovely counterpoint to the rich appetizers you’ll be snacking on.
Ideal With Straight-Up Savory Flavors: Riesling
If you like your roasted turkey, stuffing and potatoes made with a lot of butter, salt and pepper and good old-fashioned cream, Riesling is calling your name.
Beneduce Vineyards 2022 Estate Dry Riesling is deliciously dry, with notes of Granny Smith apples and bright lemons while still being juicy enough to make you thirsty for more. This Riesling will cut right through some of the richer dishes, without ever competing with the main draws for flavor.
Great With Spiced-Up Savory Flavors: Rosé
Rosé all day if you’re rolling seriously spiced up foods on the Thanksgiving table. Fuller bodied rosés are a great choice for tables that skew Eastern Mediterranean, North African or Indian.
Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery’s 2023 Signature Series Dry Rosé is full bodied and lush, with notes of strawberry, watermelon and light cream. This bright pink number looks gorgeous in the glass and will provide a little palate relief for fiery dishes, while also making you thirsty enough to dive right back in.
Perfect for Fruit-and-Veg-Heavy Sides: Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc will bring out the fruitiness and earthiness of tables blessed with a bounty of cranberry sauces, mushroom-focused dishes, caramelized squashes, roasted eggplant and apples, et al.
Cape May Winery’s 2022 Estate Cabernet Franc offers up raspberries, white peppers, lush textures and leather, all of which make fruits and veggies—from apples to zucchinis—sing.
Let’s Get Sweet on This: Vidal Blanc Ice Wine
The dessert course calls for something sweet in your glass. You’ll love how the dried fruit flavors in your glass play up and complement the pumpkin, apple or pecan pie(s) on your plate.
Tomasello Winery’s 2021 Atlantic County Vidal Blanc Ice Wine is made from partially frozen Vidal Blanc grapes, and offers up rich flavors of golden raisins, pineapple cake, lychee and dried apricots. It is lovely enough to serve without a side of pie, but why would you do that?
Goes With Everything: Sparkling Wine
Like diamonds, sparkling wine will go with whatever you’ve got planned. Blue jeans, banjos and bean-dip? Check. Couture, classical and caviar? Indeed.
Old York Cellars’ Blanc de Blanc is made from estate grown Vidal Blanc in the traditional method. Crisp, vibrant and fruit-forward, this sparkler was built to take you from a festive welcome to a memorable send off at the end of the night, without missing a beat from appetizer to dessert. Thirsty to learn more about pairings?
White Horse Winery has you covered! The team there will show you how to pair wines with your Thanksgiving feast on November 20 from 6 pm-7:30 pm. Tickets start at $30.
Cheers to a wonderful Thanksgiving with your nearest and dearest.
