Thanksgiving is a holiday full of rich, diverse flavors, especially at a Greek household, where the offerings range from roasted turkey to savory stuffing, creamy mashed potatoes, and tart cranberry sauce, to roasted lamb, moussaka, dolmades, feta, and spanakopita. The variety of dishes on the menu is a feast of complex tastes and textures. Picking the right Greek wine to complement these flavors can enhance the meal and bring out the best in each dish.
Here’s our guide to Thanksgiving Greek wine pairings that will delight your guests and elevate your holiday dinner.
1. Sparkling Wine: The Festive Opener • Why it Works: Sparkling wines are a great way to kick off Thanksgiving. They’re light, bubbly, and refreshing, which is perfect for preparing the palate for a big meal. Sparkling wines also, wake up your taste buds and neutralize your palate in preparations for the dining experience.
• Recommendation: • Kir Yianni Sparkling Rosê from Naoussa: Made from the Xinomavro grape, this sparkler opens with a freshnes of aromas followed by vibrant flavors and textures. The bubbles are on the softer side with slightly sweet and tart berry flavors and finishes super clean.
2. Vidiano: A Rich White Wine • Why it Works: Vidiano is a variety from Crete that produces white wines with rounder textures, riper tropical flavors and slightly creamy textures.
• Recommendations: • Iliana Malahin Young Vines Vidiano: the grapes are de-stemmed, and the juice is gently pressed into stainless steel tanks. The wine then ferments by natural yeasts found on the skins of Vidiano and matures on its lees, to the melodies of Cretan music, for six months. It is bottled unfined. In the glass, a highly vibrant and textured white wine emerges: You’ll discover high-toned notes of white peach, pear, apricot skin, chamomile, citrus leaf, lemon, melon peel, herbs, while finishing clean.
3. Xinomavro: The Pinot Noir of Greece • Why it Works: We often recommend Xinomavro for Thanksgiving because of its light to medium body, lower acidity, and ability to pair with a variety of dishes. It’s soft enough to not overpower delicate flavors but has enough structure to hold up to heartier dishes.
• Recommendations: • Domaine Tatsis Young Vines: Known for its earthy undertones, this wine pairs excellently with herby stuffing and mushroom-heavy dishes. This dry-farmed, certified organic, and biodynamically produced wine comes from Makedonia in Greece.
4. Agiorgitiko: A Fun and Fruity Red • Why it Works: Agiorgitiko’s vibrant fruit flavors and inviting textures make it a fun pairing for Thanksgiving. It has enough boldness to match flavorful dishes, yet its bright fruit keeps it from feeling too heavy.
• Recommendations: • Palivou Nemea Agiorgitiko: With notes of blackberry, plum, and a touch of cedar, this wine is ideal for turkey with gravy, stuffing, or keftedes and loukaniko.
Wine Pairing Tips for Thanksgiving
- Balance Rich Dishes with Acidity: Wines with good acidity, like sparkling wines, Moschofilero, and Xinomavro, can help cut through the richness of Thanksgiving dishes.
- Consider Versatility: If you’re looking for just one wine, go with something that pairs well across the board, like Vidiano or Agiorgitiko.
- Offer a Mix of Red and White: Some guests may prefer white wine over red, so consider providing a mix of both to accommodate different tastes.
Thanksgiving is about celebrating and enjoying the company of loved ones. The right Greek wine can enhance the meal but remember, the most important thing is sharing it with those around the table. Cheers to a delicious and memorable holiday! Stin Ygeia Mas