This guide to the best white wine pairings for Thanksgiving, Christmas and beyond was created in partnership with my friends at Pacific Rim Winery. Thanks as always for supporting the brands that keep my glass half full at the holidays!
I’ll never forget the friend of mine who wouldn’t allow red wine past her front doorstep.
Well, she is still my friend and I see her often. But mainly, for the purpose of this story, because at the time—in my early twenties—I didn’t have very many friends who cared enough about their home furnishings to worry about wine stains.
All the cushions on my couch had already been flipped over due to my own hand-to-mouth misfires. And I was lucky enough to have inherited a patterned rug with burgundy as the dominant color.
But now that I’m older and wiser, and the proud owner of real grown-up furniture, including a white rug that has somehow only been tainted with dog vomit, not wine, I get where she was coming from. If you’re going to be putting your space in danger of a group of adults getting “loose,” it’s best to ensure that the liquids inevitably getting spilled on your floor meet a clear, neutral color palette.
And yet, the no red wine rule becomes a little problematic around the holidays.
As the weather turns colder, people want something full-bodied and warming. Something that can stand up to fattier meats and braises. Cinnamon, spice, and everything root vegetable-y and nice. Which means that there’s a 90 percent chance your hostess party gift will include a bottle of red wine or whiskey unless you request otherwise.
The thing is, though, in terms of choosing a bottle that’s going to pair well with fall flavors, there are plenty of white wines that fit the bill.
One particular varietal that I’ve been enjoying more and more around my table is Riesling. I used to just think of it as a fruity, effervescent option for beginning or ending the night, but ever since reading my friend Bianca’s fabulous book Cork Dork, I’ve gotten a little more experimental with my explorations.
Rieslings range from bone dry to dessert sweet, meaning there is something for everyone and every pairing. And the flavors often have the kind of structure that can stand up to foods typically thought of as red wine pairings, like, say, everything on your Thanksgiving table.
I’ve been recently working my way through a case of Pacific Rim Rieslings, which are sustainably produced in the Pacific Northwest (one of my favorite underappreciated wine areas), and range from sweet to dry. It’s been fun seeing how they stand up to different dishes, and they are a refreshing departure from super oaky whites (which are not my favorite at the holidays or otherwise).
For all my fellow paranoid hostesses out there who prefer to steer their guests towards less invasive color palettes, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to help you pair the right white wine with your holiday meal. Below are some of my favorite fall recipes from the Feed Me Phoebe archives that are perfect for Thanksgiving, Chrismukkah and beyond, and what type of Riesling they’d pair well with.
If this grape isn’t your thing, you can at least chat with your local wine shop and ask for something similar on the sweetness scale.
And if you don’t give a hoot what people bring to enjoy at your table, well then, at the very least, here are some fabulous recipes to get inspiration from! It’s officially November so the Turkey Day countdown has officially begun.
From one healthy hedonist, to another,
Xoxo
Phoebe
DRY
The drier Rieslings pair well with a variety of cuisines where sugar is less dominant in the condiments. The recipes below use a variety of herbs, some hard cheeses or creamy accents, and a light amount of spice.
Spinach Balls with Sunflower Seeds, Manchego and Turmeric Honey Yogurt (Gluten-Free)
Vegetarian Cassoulet with Mushrooms and Chard
Moroccan Lamb Lettuce Wraps with Ras El Hanout and Lemon-Mint Aioli
Vegetarian Harissa Mushroom Bolognese with Creamy Coconut Polenta
Easy Golden Beet Soup with Tarragon Yogurt
Harissa Moroccan Chicken with Dates, Pistachios and Cauliflower Couscous
MEDIUM
To stand up to a more subtle sweetness, these recipes include a lot of nature’s candy: caramelized root vegetables, honey mustards, and ginger. Pacific Rim’s J Riesling is a great example of that medium sweetness, and they recommend adding a bit of fire to stand up to the sweetness. You’ll see a lot of sriracha, chili sauces and red curry below.
Healthy Shepherd’s Pie with Red Curry Beef, Coconut Kale and Pumpkin Mash
Massaged Kale Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash, Crispy Scallions and Sweet Chili Dressing
Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Sriracha Aioli
Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Kugel with Spiralized Parsnips
Red Curry Sheet Pan Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Crispy Kale
Vegan Butternut Squash Soup with Crispy Brussels Sprouts and Ginger
Sheet Pan Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Squash, Black-Eyed Peas and Mustard Sauce
SWEET
The biggest rule of thumb with wine and food pairings is match like with like. Hence why so many dessert wines are cloyingly sweet. The flavors neutralize each other. You’ll find that sweet Rieslings are much better with a slice of apple pie than on their own. Here are a few holiday dessert favorites to match with your sweet white wine.
Gluten-Free Dutch Baby with Vanilla and Pear
Gluten-Free Pumpkin Tart with Mexican Chocolate-Almond Crust
Horchata White Chocolate Bark with Almonds and Cinnamon
Healthy Banana Pudding with Maple-Rum Compote
Gluten-Free Cheesecake Recipe with Fresh Figs and Honey
This guide to the best white wine pairings for Thanksgiving, Christmas and beyond was created in partnership with my friends at Pacific Rim Winery. Thanks as always for supporting the brands that keep my glass half full at the holidays!
I had no idea Riesling could be dry. I’m gonna give that a try.
do it! it’s such an interesting wine.