By Beth Taylor
Choosing a wine to pair with a traditional Thanksgiving meal shouldn’t be daunting. Give your guests options this holiday season.
“There’s no one size fits all,” said Jon Sadler, owner of Tasteful Times, a locally owned wine and gourmet food store at 11677 Olio Rd., Fishers.
Sadler advises customers to drink what they like, which may mean serving both white and red wines to guests. “As far as pairings, a riesling and a pinot noir go well together,” he said, adding that both types complement so many different layers that comprise foods that are served at a holiday meal.
“My rule of thumb is that, because Thanksgiving is an American holiday, I tend to choose domestic wines,” he said. He suggests a sauvignon blanc, which offers an herbaceous taste to highlight an herb stuffing.
“If you’re not 100 percent sold on white or 100 percent sold on red, I recommend trying a dry rosé.” Rosé provides a transition for people who may be just getting into red wines. It’s not as tannic as a red wine and is very food versatile,” said Sadler.
Sparkling wines can go with a large dinner or be served with a holiday brunch. “If you wanted a one-size-fits-all, it’s going to be sparkling wine,” he said. Sparkling wines are good quality options at a budget-friendly price point.
For a sweeter brunch option, Sadler suggests creating a festive mimosa by combining a peach bellini mix with a sparkling wine.
To accompany the dessert course, Sadler suggests trying an iced riesling with a slice of pumpkin pie or a port wine to go with a chocolate confection.
If you know what you’re serving, Sadler is happy to provide suggestions. “If you have a big gathering, you don’t need to spend an arm and a leg; you can get great pairing $15 wines,” he said. “We’ll help customers find a wine they like that will pair with their meal.”
