Selecting the right wine for any meal can be a challenge. When it comes to a big holiday dinner like Thanksgiving, pairing wines to enjoy with different parts of your meal can be even more daunting. Fortunately, master sommelier Alpana Singh was kind enough to join me this week and recommend wines that would be appropriate with each course of the big holiday meal.
Toasting The Day
Alpana suggested beginning with a sparkling wine since it is the holiday season and it is also a nice way to greet guests.
- Catherine & Pierre Breton "La Dilettante", Vouvray, Loire Valley, France $18
Appetizers
I was debating doing a seafood appetizer or a charcuterie platter. Alpana selected a wine that would be appropriate for both.
- Loimer Gruner Veltliner, Austria $18
First Course
I’m planning on a spicy pumpkin soup for my first course. The wine Alpana suggested work well with not only my soup, but also sweet potatoes, butternut squash and similar dishes.
- Balthasar Ress Riesling, Germany $16
Turkey/Main Course
For the main course, Alpana recommended a zinfandel
- Turley Wine Cellars, Zinfandel, California $40
Dessert
For my dessert, I’m planning on a traditional apple pie and my bourbon mascarpone cheesecake. Alpana’s recommendation was a moscato.
- Saracco Moscato d'Asti, Italy $20
As you can see the wines range in price from $18 to $40. If you’re not planning to break your celebration into as many parts as I have, you can certainly reduce the number of wines.
A big thanks to Alpana for sharing her insights. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
If you have any comments or questions, please send me an email at wayne@waynesweekend.com or follow me on Facebook or Twitter.
