As you’re preparing to celebrate Thanksgiving all over the United States, there’s no doubt you’ll be more than a few minutes in the wine aisle. When catering to your loved ones, you want nothing but the best. But do you have to drop large amounts of money on wine in order for your guests to be happy?
I spoke to Beth Liston, winemaker for Dark Horse Wine, to get the best tips for purchasing wine for your holiday celebrations. So what should shoppers keep in mind when buying wine for their special meals?
“Holiday parties are a great opportunity to be adventurous in your wine choices, especially because you have company around to taste test with,” Beth explained. “My go-to’s are Petite Sirah, Red Blends and up-and-coming wines like Spanish Cavas. The most important thing is to keep an open mind when walking down the wine aisle, go for variety and don’t feel pressure to spend a lot.”
For Thanksgiving specifically, you may think it’s best to stick with white wine to serve with turkey but Beth says you don’t have to. “I say, drink what you like,” she suggests. “A safe bet is a fruit-forward, lighter red, like Pinot Noir, which is becoming synonymous with Thanksgiving fare.”
One of my favorite things to do with wine is cook with it. I have found that adding white wine to turkey gives it an extra special flavor. But are there any rules to follow to ensure you get it right? Beth explains, “When cooking with wines, my first and only rule is to pour yourself a glass while you cook.”
Since you’ll be catering to different palettes, there may be some guests that have not been properly introduced to wine. What should you keep in mind when shopping for them? “There has been a cultural shift in wine perception and wine is becoming more approachable as new wine styles are introduced and new formats are being embraced,” Beth explained. “My suggestion would be to start with a sweeter, lighter-style wine that is easy to drink and then experiment with what those around you might be enjoying. You might find that you prefer big, bolder wine styles.”
A trend that has picked up speed this year has been Friendsgiving. A fun element to add as new friends and old friends meet for the first time is a wine tasting. Beth shared her tips on selecting the perfect combination of bottles.
“I would choose a variety of wines – red, white, pink and sparkling – so that you have something for everyone’s taste. What I’ve done with my family and friends over the holidays is host a blind tasting with all six Dark Horse varietals and I’ve had people guess what type of wine they taste. If they identify all the varietals correct, I let them leave with a bottle or two as a parting gift. It’s a fun way to entertain your guests while helping them learn more about their own taste preferences.”
