Pairing natural wines with traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas dishes offers a unique and delicious way to enhance the flavors of your holiday meals. Natural wines, with their minimal intervention and vibrant, earthy profiles, pair well with the diverse textures and rich flavors of holiday fare. Here's how you can pair natural wines with some of the most iconic dishes from Thanksgiving and Christmas:
Thanksgiving Pairings:
- Roast Turkey with Natural Pinot Noir or Gamay: Turkey, especially with gravy, calls for a wine that balances acidity and fruitiness. A natural Pinot Noir or Gamay offers bright red fruit notes like cranberry mirrored traditional Thanksgiving flavors such as cranberry sauce. These wines' lighter body and subtle earthiness also complement the savory, herbaceous notes of stuffing.
- Sweet Potatoes or Butternut Squash with Natural Chenin Blanc: The natural sweetness of root vegetables pairs perfectly with the vibrant acidity of Chenin Blanc. A natural Chenin Blanc, especially one with a bit of residual sugar, provides a fresh, crisp contrast to the richness of roasted sweet potatoes or squash, balancing the dish without overwhelming it.
- Stuffing with Skin-Contact White Wines (Orange Wines): Try pairing it with a skin-contact white wine like a natural Vermentino or Ribolla Gialla for herb-filled stuffing. These wines often have a tannic structure similar to reds, with the fresh acidity of whites, making them an excellent match for savory, aromatic stuffing.
Christmas Pairings:
- Glazed Ham with Natural Riesling: A classic pairing for glazed ham is a natural Riesling. An off-dry Riesling, with its natural sweetness and high acidity, cuts through the richness of the ham while complementing the sweetness of the glaze, whether honey or maple-based. The wine's zesty citrus notes keep the dish light and refreshing.
- Prime Rib with Natural Syrah or Carignan: A natural Syrah or Carignan pairs beautifully with the bold flavors of prime rib. These natural red wines, with their dark fruit flavors, smoky undertones, and structured tannins, stand up to the richness of the beef while adding complexity to the dish. Syrah's peppery finish enhances the seasoning of the prime rib, making each bite even more flavorful.
- Roast Vegetables with Pet-Nat (Pétillant Naturel): Consider pairing with a Pet-Nat (natural sparkling wine) for lighter vegetable sides. The effervescence of Pet-Nat brings a playful element to roasted Brussels sprouts, carrots, or parsnips, while the wine's natural acidity brightens the earthy flavors of the vegetables.
Why Natural Wines Work:
Natural wines often have bright acidity, which helps to balance out the richness of holiday dishes. Their complex, sometimes off-kilter profiles bring new dimensions to classic meals, whether the savory, umami notes of roasted meats or vegetables' sweet, caramelized flavors. Natural wines are typically lower in sulfites, making them a lighter, fresher option for large meals that may include multiple courses. These wine pairings ensure that your Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations are elevated with unique, natural flavors that highlight the best of the season's ingredients. By choosing natural wines, you're opting for flavor and supporting sustainable and biodynamic farming practices.
