Six Sparkling Wine Pairings for Thanksgiving

Whether you go the traditional route and do the same thing every year or mix it up with fun takes on classic dishes, Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate with family, friends, food, and bubbles.

Sparkling wine complements so many foods. Because Thanksgiving dishes tend to be all over the board flavor-wise, it can be hard to find the perfect wine pairing. One thing these foods do tend to share is being rich. Decadent, high fat foods benefit from the natural acidity and bright cleansing bubbles found in sparkling wine. So while any MAWBY wines will be an ideal match at your Thanksgiving feast, here are a few specific pairings that we love. 

GRACE + Appetizers

 This may be controversial, but at MAWBY Sparkling Wine, we believe in at least a few appetizers prior to the big feast. You may be celebrating the Lions’ win (fingers crossed!) or just returning from a sunny fall hike, but enjoying a little something prior to the main meal is a must. 

Consider things that don't take a lot of effort or can be easily prepared in advance like creamy brie, salty prosciutto, briny, warm olives or a tasty nut mix. The bubbles will cut through these intense flavors, leaving your palate refreshed and ready for more.

BLANC + Roasted Turkey

 For the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving meal, look for something brut and bottle fermented. We have several Method Champenoise sparkling wines to choose from. If you are feeling spend-y, we recommend the 2018 Mille made from 100% Chardonnay from the Leelanau Peninsula. 

If you are looking for something tasty, but not as extravagant, you can't go wrong with Blanc, our take on a classic Blanc de Blancs. It has rich brioche flavors from aging in the bottle for 4 years with a juicy mouth feel from a touch of Riesling.  This is a wine that will enhance the turkey, not overwhelm it, and works with almost any preparation – smoked, deep fried, or even barbequed!

US + Stuffing + Sides

  Turkey not your thing? Sides, in all their various forms, can often overshadow the main dish, and rightly so! Two non-negotiable dishes at almost every Thanksgiving table are mashed potatoes and stuffing. Choose a lighter, less complex sparking wine from our Cuve Close line to amplify these varying flavors without overpowering them.  Us, a tank fermented bubbly made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and a touch of the red hybrind grape Chambourcin, is a bubbly that will cut through the richness of creamy mashed potatoes while standing up to the herbs in a traditional stuffing. If you're trying something new this year, we recommend cornbread stuffing, studded with roasted chili peppers and sausage for a fun, and slightly spicy, take on a classic. 

GREEN + Sweet Potato Casserole

  Is it a dessert? Is it a side? One thing we know for sure, it is delicious! Rich sweet potatoes get a new best friend in our bubbly, Green. A vinho verde inspired sparkling wine, it has a touch of fruitiness and a fresh minerality that complements the natural sweetness in your sweet potato side dish. Whether you use maple syrup, cinnamon or mini marshmallows, the acidity of Green balances all of that while enhancing this cozy, autumnal side dish. 

DETROIT + Cranberry Sauce

  Try using sparkling wine in your cooking! Replace the sugar used in homemade cranberry sauce with our semi sweet sparkling wine, Detroit, for a fresh take on a classic; recipe follows. Use the remaining Detroit in a palate-pleasing cocktail, Ice Cubed!

Homemade Cranberry Relish

12 oz (1 bag) fresh cranberries

1 cup Detroit

1-2 tsp white sugar to taste

Zest of one lime

The sweetness of Detroit will mellow the tartness of the cranberry sauce, creating a delicious balance without being cloying. This can be made ahead of time and enjoyed for up to one week, if there is any left. 

Ice Cubed Cocktail

Pour 4 oz of Detroit over three ice cubes. Garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy!

Bourbon Barrel REDD + Pecan Pie

  Save room for dessert! Pecan pie is one of the treats that most of us only enjoy once a year at Thanksgiving. We recommended serving our seasonal release, Bourbon Barrel Redd, with a slice. It has a bit of sweetness, a bit of bite from the tannins found in red wine, and a bit of warmth from being aged in Buffalo Trace and TC whiskey barrels for almost 18 months. All that combined will cut through the caramelized, nutty flavors in pecan pie. And don’t forget the whipped cream!

  Thanksgiving is all about enjoying the abundance of the season, and nothing says celebration quite like sparkling wine.