Tasty Thanksgiving Wines

As Thanksgiving rolls around we often get stressed not only about hosting and cooking for the family but having to pick out wines to pair alongside our meal too! I want the wine to be the fun and easy part for you so I am here to share some of my staple wines that are always at my Thanksgiving feast along with some complimentary food pairings that will be sure to please. From the perfect riesling and chardonnay to my must-have Pinot Noir, I will take you through what I will be serving my loved ones with on Thursday. For the big meal: Erath Oregon Pinot Noir ($19/bottle) and if timing allows I recommend, Chateau Ste. Michelle 2016 Eroica Riesling ($22/bottle). Pinot Noir, a popular choice at Thanksgiving, pairs well with traditional flavors of turkey and stuffing – not to mention potato recipes in all forms including Potato Turnip Gratin, a specially prepared recipe pairing for Oregon Wine Month from James Beard Award-winning Northwest chef Tom Douglas. A lesser-known, but equally as exquisite of a pairing is Riesling. Chateau Ste. Michelle’s Eroica Riesling is a perfect Thanksgiving white wine option because the cool, crisp acidity and lively citrus and peach notes beautifully balance out all the rich dishes on the table-- it's an ideal way to cut through all the butter in those mashed potatoes! Its light body is a great way to keep your palate refreshed throughout the day. Last but not least, MERF's Chardonnay out of Columbia Valley is a stable chardonnay at my Thanksgiving table. Whether you want to pair it alongside your Turkey or with your cheese spread this wine will be a favorite in no time.