Photo courtesy of www.visitnapavalley.com
Thanksgiving dinners are considerably more complicated than any ordinary meal. Multiple courses, side dishes, appetizers, and desserts that complement the traditional turkey and ham tend to cause us to exceed our normal dietary limits.
From its beginning, Thanksgiving has been a celebration of bountiful harvests. And, very few places in the world are as bountiful as glorious Napa Valley.
Pairing a wine with a steak and baked potato or grilled sole is not so complicated. But selecting the right wines for a multi-course Thanksgiving dinner given the multitude of flavors and textures is substantially more complex.
So, if you are going it alone and serving an army of family and friends, wine pairing advice is everywhere if you take the time to look. But remember, no single wine fits all, and pairing is mostly a matter of personal taste. You may be assured that there is no individual “best” selection.
Some Thanksgiving Pairing Ideas
Wine.com suggests a unique wine for each course. For example, consider welcoming guests with a “bubbly,” sparkling wine or champagne.
With Turkey and Dressing, whites like Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, or milder reds including Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, or Zinfindel pair great.
Pumpkin or pecan pies or other flavorful desserts pair well with port, sherry, or any rich, concentrated wines to match the intensity of the dessert.
Simple Approach
In the end, your guests will prefer to drink what they like best. Make three or four options available throughout the meal and let your guests choose what and when. Provide two wine glasses with each setting and place a few bottles of each of your three or four choices around the table. Your guests will select what they want, perhaps with some oral or written pairing suggestions from you.
“Blanketing” the dinner with a choice of appropriate wines will please more guests. Trying to serve a “right” wine for each course can become cumbersome.
Reserve Your Thanksgiving Table at One of Napa Valley’s Top Restaurants
To free yourself from the burdens of planning, cooking, and, yes, wine pairing, plan a Thanksgiving weekend in Napa Valley. Many of the restaurants are offering Thanksgiving dinners, complete with all the traditional fare along with some of the chef’s unique seasonal creations. Besides providing a chef-prepared gourmet dinner, you can benefit from expert wine pairings suggestions for each course.
Experience Napa Hot Air Balloon Rides
There is much to do in beautiful Napa Valley during a Thanksgiving weekend. Besides a delightful dinner, you can enjoy live entertainment, hiking, biking, arts, and even those famous Napa hot air balloon rides.
A highlight of your Thanksgiving weekend would be to reserve group Napa hot air balloon rides with Balloons Above the Valley. The remarkable landscape, the serenity and quiet, and the fabulous photo ops will add delight to your Thanksgiving experience.
Napa Valley balloons by Balloons Above the Valley are safe, enjoyable, and may also include an optional gourmet champagne brunch and wine tour.
To reserve your perfect Thanksgiving Napa hot air balloon rides, visit the Balloons Above the Valley website or phone +1-800-464-6824.
Also, take advantage of Balloons Above the Valley Holiday Sale today.