Are you looking for some local Umpqua Valley wines to pair with your Thanksgiving feast? We have you covered!
See below for some delicious wine suggestions to accompany your holiday meal.
Cranberry Sauce with Gamay Noir
from Lexème
This Elkton winery will soon be opening its new tasting room to visitors. Of their delicious Elkton-grown wines, their Gamay Noir is a standout. Gamay Noir pairs with cranberry sauce and roast turkey. It’s counterintuitive. You might think the combined tartness would be overbearing, but in reality, the tartness of the wine tames the tartness of the sauce.
Mashed Potatoes & Gravy with Sparkling Gewürztraminer
from Brandborg Vineyard & Winery
A proper Thanksgiving meal wouldn’t be complete without mashed potatoes and gravy — not to mention sparkling wine. Whether you prefer mashed potatoes loaded with butter or full of garlic, Brandborg Vineyard & Winery’s Gewürztraminer Pét Nat makes your Thanksgiving “mash” even more decadent.
The 2019 “All Hands” Gewürztraminer Pétillant Naturel (or Pét Nat for short) is a sparkling wine with slightly more bohemian undertones. A Pét Nat wine must be bottled at precisely the right moment, just as fermentation nears completion. It’s bottled unfiltered and unfined. The result? Hazy, fizzy, and funky – like the disco.
According to Sue Brandborg, their first Pét Nat was produced on Thanksgiving Day many years ago. As she made preparations for Thanksgiving dinner, Terry Brandborg rushed into the house and stated, “We have to bottle the Pét Nat today.” Halting their Thanksgiving celebration, Sue and Terry, joined by family visiting from Wyoming, bottled the very first vintage of Brandborg Pét Nat. Hence the name, “All Hands.”
Roast Turkey with Pinot Noir
from Spire Mountain Cellars
Turkey with a dollop of tart cranberry sauce will make this Pinot Noir practically hum on your taste buds. Spire Mountain currently offers several vintages of Pinot Noir, and thankfully, there’s no wrong answer. Young or old, Pinot Noir can easily become your new favorite when paired with roast turkey.
Green Bean Casserole with Grüner Veltliner
from Trella Vineyards
Grandmother’s casserole has never tasted better with Grüner Veltliner. If you’re looking for something new and exciting to share with your family, this Austrian white wine pairs with any Thanksgiving dish. Green bean casserole with Grüner is like bellbottom jeans and the 70s – they’re made for each other.
Roast Ham with Grenache Blanc
from Spangler Vineyards
Not to be confused with red Grenache, this distinct white grape variety bears a similar name, but a completely different taste.
Dishes loaded with aromatic herbs and rich, creamy sauces are Grenache Blanc’s best friend. This wine is intensely refreshing, something many people will enjoy after a second serving of Thanksgiving turkey or roast ham.
There is no wrong choice
Remember, choosing the right wine doesn’t need to be complicated. These wines are suggestions. It’s likely that whatever wine you bring – red, white, sparkling, young, or old – it will pair well with something at the Thanksgiving table. Don’t overthink it, just drink it. Cheers!
