Tips from a Pro

The guests have been invited, the menu’s planned – now for the libations. These top 3 tips from wine expert Natalie MacLean will round out your Thanksgiving dinner.

1. From beginning to end. Sparkling wine is a great aperitif to sip while waiting for the turkey to finish. It adds a celebratory note to the meal and goes well with starters like soup and salad. After the meal, if anyone has room for pumpkin or pecan pie, offer a late harvest wine or icewine. If you’re a chocolate fan, serve a liqueur with a complementary flavour, such as raspberry or blackcurrant.

2. Consider the turkey. Pair your bird with a mouth-watering, crisp white wine such as Riesling or Pinot Grigio. Or go with a red – yes, you can drink red wine with white meat! The juicy, berry-ripe flavours of Pinot Noir, Beaujolais or Zinfandel go well with turkey.

3. Beyond the bird. Since Thanksgiving dinner is often banquet-style, with everyone choosing trimmings and sides, why not do the same with your wines? Offer both red and white. A big, buttery Chardonnay from California or Chile works well with the roasted, smoky flavours of squash, chestnuts and pecan stuffing. To contrast the richness of gravy and dressings, try a crisp New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.

Check out Natalie's free online wine and food matching tool at nataliemaclean.com. Click on "turkey holiday dinner" for specifics.