Thanksgiving is a time for all sorts of celebrations, and each family has a special way of doing things. My family, for instance, starts our Thanksgiving festivities at 8:30 am, when we gather around the TV to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. We don’t stop until the sun sets, and my extended family leaves with full bellies and happy smiles (and a tray full of leftovers, of course).
Now, our food menu is a bit more unpredictable each year, thanks to my Abuela, who always brings something fun and unique for us to try. The dinner gathering with the family is such a blast, but the changing menu always leaves us wondering: what wine should we pair with the dinner if we don’t know what’s on the menu?
Fear not! We’ve got the perfect answer for you: Riesling.
Riesling is a fantastic white wine famous in Germany that has gained popularity in many other parts of the world. It is versatile because its flavor can change a lot depending on the climate where it’s grown, when it’s harvested, how old the vines are, how much residual sugar is in the wine, how long it ages, and so on.
That might sound a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re a wine newbie trying to impress the in-laws at Thanksgiving. But don’t worry; I’ve got you covered with three simple Riesling pairings that will make everyone happy this Thanksgiving.
Dry Riesling
First up, we have dry Riesling. Dry Riesling is usually a Riesling with a lot of acidity and not much residual sugar. The taste can vary depending on the climate and aging, but generally, these wines have flavors of citrus and stone fruits, sometimes with some floral or mineral notes.
The wine pairs exceptionally well with smoked turkey, generally with spicier, herbier flavors. But a dry Riesling also pairs splendidly with sweeter items like sweet potatoes. A dry Riesling is the way to go if you want to highlight your turkeys carefully added, detailed, and rich flavors. The drink’s high acidity and minerality add a delicious touch to the turkey while keeping your taste buds soothed and comfortable.
Our top pick for Dry Riesling:
Chateau Ste Michele, Dry Riesling, Columbia Valley, 2023 Vintage
$14.99 /bottle
Grape Varieties: 100% Riesling
Residual Sugar: 0.84 g/ 100mL
Alcohol: 12.5%
The Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling is a dry, refreshing style with beautiful fruit flavors, crisp acidity, and an elegant finish. It offers inviting, sweet citrus aromas and flavors. This incredibly versatile food wine will pair perfectly with your Thanksgiving Turkey.
Off-Dry Riesling
An off-dry riesling is typically characterized as having a light sweetness. They have more sugar content than a dry Riesling but aren’t a fully sweet wine and can often have a dry finish. Generally, an off-dry wine will have around 10 to 30 grams of residual (not added) sugar per liter of wine.
An off-dry Riesling often has more generous flavors than a fully dry Riesling, typically boasting notes of ripe orchard fruits and florals. These flavors will be pronounced but will balance well on the palate and won’t be as boisterous as a sweet fruit wine, making it a great choice to pair with a Thanksgiving ham.
The wine’s fruity and floral notes, along with its touch of sweetness, make a nice contrast to the salty-sweet flavor of the ham. A Riesling with good acidity will cut through the richness of the ham and refresh your palate.
Our top pick for Off-Dry Riesling:
Markus Molitor, Haus Klosterberg Riesling, Mosel, 2021 Vintage
$26.99 /bottle
Grape varieties: 100% Riesling
Soil: Slate
Alcohol: 11.5%
The nose smells excellent, with notes of pear, peach, and a hint of smoke. It’s light-bodied on the palate but gets better with time, with a delicate and elegant finish. It’s perfect for a spiral ham or whatever your family might serve.
Sweet Riesling
Sweet Rieslings come in different types, from ripe-sweet to syrupy sweet. For Thanksgiving dinner, we’ll focus on Spätlese Riesling.
Spätlese is a German white wine made from grapes harvested late in the season. The grapes stay on the vine longer after being fully ripe, making them sweeter. Spätlese wines are riper and have more body, with notes of stone fruit like peach and nectarine. This sweetness makes them an excellent pairing for some of the most popular Thanksgiving desserts, like pumpkin pie.
Our top pick for Sweet Riesling:
Schlink Haus, Riesling Spåtlese, Nahe Valley, 2022 Vintage
$15.99 /bottle
Grape Varieties: 100% Riesling
Residual Sugar: 45 -50gr/Ltr.
Alcohol: 7.5%
This wine is top-notch! It’s got a perfect balance of natural sweetness and acidity. The rich, ripe fruit flavors are super intense, and the natural sweetness of the Spätlese Riesling pairs perfectly with the sugary filling of pumpkin pie. The acidity cuts through the richness of the pie, making it a creamy dessert that’s not too sweet.
Thanks for reading! I hope everyone has a fantastic Thanksgiving. Please drink responsibly.
Cheers!
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