Thanksgiving is a time for coming together, celebrating abundance, and sharing a meal full of comforting flavors. The variety on the table—from roasted turkey to tart cranberry sauce, rich casseroles, and buttery sides—can make wine pairing feel overwhelming. But choosing the right bottles doesn’t have to be complicated. With a little thought, you can select wines that enhance the food and the mood, making your holiday gathering even more special.
In a cozy West Coast home, preparations were in full swing for a Thanksgiving feast that would capture the region's essence. This celebration, shaped by the bounty of the Pacific coast, promised an unforgettable experience filled with seasonal produce, diverse dishes, and wines that showcased California and Oregon’s finest. The gathering brought together family and friends—parents, siblings, cousins, and extended family—all excited to savor the local flavors that defined the holiday meal.
As the crispness of fall begins to settle in, it’s the perfect time to indulge in wines that complement richer, heartier dishes. This transitional season brings a delightful shift in flavors and offers the opportunity to explore wines that match the changing palate. Cooler weather invites a deeper appreciation of complexity and depth in wines, making fall the ideal backdrop for discovering those that can stand up to autumn’s rich, comforting meals.
With this year’s Olympics being held in Paris, France, one cannot help but think of wine and the potential to pair the games with wines while watching! The torch relay took route through one of the most iconic wine regions in the world. It makes sense that Tony Parker, the French NBA Hall of Famer, should join the Olympic torchbearers. He became a vintner himself, joining entrepreneur Michael Reybier as a partner of Château La Mascaronne. The torch relay commenced in Marseille, which is close to Provence, Bandol, and Aix-en- Provence, home to some of the best Rosés and then intertwined through wine regions, such as Languedoc-Roussillon, Loire, Bordeaux, Reims, and ending in Paris.
Along with cars and boats, wine is yet another inanimate object that is often anthropomorphized, meaning it is ascribed to human characteristics. People frequently describe wine in terms that evoke human qualities, such as calling a wine "elegant," "bold," or "youthful." This anthropomorphism can enhance the enjoyment and appreciation of wine, as it adds a layer of personality and character to the tasting experience.
