Nothing feels better than kicking off the festive spirit than getting the family together for Thanksgiving, with a really good bottle of wine. Well we’ve got your spread planned out: some of the classics that you need to have in your lunch spread, and a bottle to accompany it from top wine competitions in America. Envision it, cutting up the turkey, sipping on some fine wine, making golden memories, living your best life.  

We couldn’t think of better pairings for the family meal than winners from Sommeliers Choice Awards and USA Wine Ratings 2022! Winners from top competitions for wines across America, these wines have been judged on their Food Pairability, Typicity, Quality, Value and Packaging. Get your meals prepped, guests invited and wine glasses out. If you find yourself hosting, these wine and food pairings are all you need to impress!  

STUFFED MUSHROOM and Prosecco:

Finally starting off lunch with some appetizers, one of the classics usually found in the spread, Stuffed Mushroom. A really good pairing for this savory dish would be a good bottle of Prosecco. Prosecco, a sparkling wine mostly made in the Veneto region, Italy.  

Try: 

“Mionetto Prosecco DOC Organic Extra Dry” by Freixenet Mionetto USA (USA Wine Ratings, Gold Medal: 90 points) 

“Valdobbiadene DOCG Brut” by Col Vetoraz Spumanti SPA (Sommeliers Choice Awards, Gold Medal: 91 points)

SPICY CRAB CAKES and Sauvignon Blanc 

With strong flavors of passion fruit, grapefruit, lime and white peach, Sauvignon Blanc with its highly acidic nature would be perfect to pair with the Spicy Crab Cakes. 

Try: 

“Le Temps des Récoltes Bordeaux Blanc” by Penrose Hill (Sommeliers Choice Awards, Silver Medal: 87 points)

“Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc” by Fautor Winery (USA Wine Ratings, Gold Medal: 94 points) 

HONEY BAKED HAM and Pinot Noir

Generally a dry wine with notes of raspberries and cherries, the Pinot Noir is a light-bodied wine that’s not too bold. Known for being one of the best red wines for beginners, they can be perfectly paired with some Honey Baked Ham! 

Try: 

“Sidewood Estate Sparkling Pinot Rosé” by Sidewood Estate (Sommeliers Choice Awards, Gold Medal: 93 points)

MASHED POTATOES and Cabernet Sauvignon

With dark flavors like black currant, black cherries and blackberries, the Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world's most widely recognized red wine grape varieties. 

Try:

“Ehlers Estate 1886” by Ehlers Estate (Sommeliers Choice Awards, Wine of the Year, Double Gold Medal: 97 points)

“Porta da Ravessa Grande Escolha” by Adega Cooperativa de Redond (USA Wine Ratings, Gold Medal: 94 points)

ROASTED TURKEY and Chardonnay

Chardonnay, a variety originated in the Burgundy wine region of eastern France, compliments perfectly the show stopper, the highlight of a Thanksgiving spread, the Roasted Turkey. 

Try:

“Grand Ardeche Chardonnay 2019” by Louis Latour (Sommeliers Choice Awards, White Wine of the Year, Double Gold Medal: 96 points)

“Askaneli Prima” by Askaneli Winery And Distillery (Sommeliers Choice Awards, Gold Medal: 93 points)

CARROT CAKE and Fortified Wine

Fortified wine is a wine to which a distilled spirit, usually brandy, has been added. A bottle of some goooood fortified wine would go great with a Thanksgiving classic, the Carrot Cake! 

Try:

“Strive Vineyards- Fortè” by Strive Vineyards (Sommeliers Choice Awards, Silver Medal: 88 points) 

“Jules Gautret Pineau des Charentes AOC White” by Maison Ansac (USA Wine Ratings, White Wine of the Year, Gold Medal: 97 points)

PUMPKIN PIE and Riesling

Riesling, a white grape variety of wine originated in the Rhine region, is usually highly acidic which makes the wines wonderfully delicious and fresh. Ain’t no better pair for the Pumpkin Pie, than a bottle of Riesling.

Try: 

“St Andrews Riesling” by Wakefield Taylors Wines Pty Ltd (USA Wine Ratings, Gold Medal: 91 points)
"Terragena Wiley Vineyard Riesling" by Terragena (Sommeliers Choice Awards, Gold Medal: 92 points)

GOOSE/DUCK WITH CRANBERRY SAUCE and Shiraz

Syrah, also known as Shiraz, is a dark-skinned grape variety grown throughout the world and used primarily to produce red wine. If you find yourself with a good bottle of Shiraz, you could impress your guests with a succulent Goose or Duck with Cranberry Sauce!  

Try: 

“Beresford Grand Reserve Shiraz” by Vok Beverages (Sommeliers Choice Awards, Double Gold Medal: 96 points)

“Tar & Roses 'The Rose' Shiraz” by Joval Family Wines (USA Wine Ratings, Gold Medal: 94 points) 

Written by Jason Shepherd, Beverage Trade Network