It’s best to start planning which wine to serve with Christmas dinner now that the holiday is almost here.
Whether you’re having turkey, chicken, beef, lamb, nut roast, or even goose for Christmas dinner, there’s a perfect wine out there to go with it. But does Pinot Grigio pair with Christmas dinner?.
Find out more about Pinot Grigio and whether you can enjoy it with Christmas dinner by reading on. We’ve also included some of the best Christmas dinner wine pairings.
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and of course, delicious food. But what about the wine? Choosing the right wine to pair with your Thanksgiving feast can be tricky especially if you’re not a wine expert.
Fear not fellow foodies! I’m here to help you navigate the world of wine pairings and find the perfect bottle to complement your turkey and all the fixings.
Pinot Grigio: A Versatile Choice for Thanksgiving
Pinot Grigio is a light, crisp white wine that is a popular choice for Thanksgiving. It’s versatile enough to pair with a variety of dishes, including turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole.
Why Pinot Grigio Works with Turkey:
- Light and refreshing: Pinot Grigio won’t overpower the delicate flavor of turkey.
- Citrusy and floral notes: These flavors complement the savory flavors of the turkey and stuffing.
- High acidity: The acidity in Pinot Grigio cuts through the richness of the meal.
Other Great Wine Pairings for Thanksgiving:
- Chenin Blanc: This South African wine is another great choice for Thanksgiving. It has similar characteristics to Pinot Grigio, but with a slightly sweeter flavor.
- Pinot Noir: This light-bodied red wine is a good option if you’re serving a heavier turkey dish, such as one with gravy or cranberry sauce.
- Beaujolais: This French wine is known for its fruity flavors and low tannins. It’s a good choice for those who prefer red wine but don’t want something too heavy.
- Sparkling wine: Champagne, Prosecco, or other sparkling wines are always a festive choice for Thanksgiving. They’re also a good option for those who don’t want to drink red or white wine.
Tips for Choosing the Right Wine:
- Consider the dishes you’re serving: The best wine pairing will depend on the specific dishes you’re serving. If you’re serving a variety of dishes, choose a versatile wine like Pinot Grigio or Chenin Blanc.
- Think about your guests’ preferences: Some of your guests may prefer red wine, while others may prefer white. Try to choose a wine that everyone will enjoy.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment: There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to wine pairing. So don’t be afraid to try different wines and see what you like best.
Choosing the right wine for Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By following these tips, you can find the perfect bottle to complement your meal and make your Thanksgiving celebration even more special.
Here’s a quick summary of the best wine pairings for Thanksgiving:
- Turkey: Pinot Grigio, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Noir, Beaujolais
- Stuffing: Pinot Grigio, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay
- Mashed potatoes: Pinot Grigio, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc
- Green bean casserole: Pinot Grigio, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay
- Cranberry sauce: Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, Zinfandel
No matter what wine you choose, I hope you have a happy and delicious Thanksgiving!
How Does Pinot Grigio Taste?
Pinot Grigio is a delicious wine, made from the Pinot Gris grape. Millions of people around the world adore the crisp white wine made from the Pinot Gris grape, which was first planted in the French Burgundy vineyards. In fact, it’s one of the most popular types of white wine in the world.
However, you’re most likely more familiar with Pinot Grigio from Northern Italy. The wine made its way to Northern Italy where the grapevines thrived – specifically Lombardy, Fruili, and Veneto.
Despite coming from Burgundy in France, Italy has been the world’s biggest producer of delicious Pinot Grigio for many years.
Other top Pinot Grigio producers are in California, New Zealand, and Austria, each with distinctive flavors and fragrances.
Depending on the region of production, Pinot Grigio can have a variety of tastes, but generally speaking, it has a zesty flavor with citrusy and floral notes.
Light, crisp, and dry, Pinot Grigio is a wine that can be enjoyed by anyone (as long as they are at least 18) in any season and at any occasion.
Pear, green apple, lime, peach, and honeysuckle flavors are present, along with perhaps a trace of honey. Pinot Grigio typically has high acidity levels, making it less sweet than Chardonnay, for example.
As Pinot Grigio ages, it may develop additional flavors. Some examples of tertiary flavors are marzipan and nutty undertones.
Given how similar their names are, you might be wondering what makes Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris different.
Well, Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris are both made using the Pinot Gris grape. However, the key difference is that Pinot Gris is produced in France.
The flavour profiles of the wine can vary depending on the region in which it was produced. For instance, the climate in Lombardy could result in a sweeter Pinot Gris, but the climate in Italy might result in a crisper, citrusier Pinot Grigio.
Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are named after the grape – Pinot Gris. But the reason for the name difference is that Gris means grey in French and Grigio means grey in Italian.
The Pinot Gris/ Pinot Grigio grape is typically white with a greyish look. On the other hand, if the grape is harvested later in the season and left on the vine longer, it might turn pink or brown.
No matter what you’re having for Christmas dinner, you can find the ideal bottle of Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris on the shelves of almost any supermarket in the UK.
Does Pinot Grigio Pair With Christmas Dinner?
In short, yes, you can pair Pinot Grigio with your Christmas. However, this depends on what you’re having for Christmas dinner.
It’s a general rule of thumb that you pair red wines with red meats. On the other hand, if you enjoy white meats like turkey or chicken for Christmas dinner, a light Pinot Grigio will go well with it and not overpower the flavor of the light meat.
While red wines are typically paired with Christmas dinners, some white wines—such as Pinot Grigio—also work well.
Pinot Grigio can also pair well with your Christmas dinner if you have goose as your main meat. However, since goose can be fairly full-flavored and requires a strong enough wine to match, choose a slightly aged Pinot Gris with enough acidity and complexity.
If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, you’ll have no trouble finding a suitable vegan wine. The good news is that white meat alternatives and other vegan Christmas dinner options go well with Pinot Grigio.
You want a wine that can perfectly complement the flavors of your vegan dinner, but you also don’t want it to overpower them. With meat-free options, it’s best to avoid heavy reds and choose fresher, crisp whites such as Pinot Grigio.
Pinot Grigio can be a wonderful wine pairing for a meal that features a lot of green vegetables. But make sure you choose a lighter Pinot Grigio rather than one that is fuller and heavier and has flavors that are crisp and fresh.
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