Thanksgiving, Italian Style
Thanksgiving is just around the corner! I know that planning a party for family and friends can be daunting enough, so I’m here to make the wine pairing component easy for you. This year I’ve selected outstanding Italian wines that work beautifully with Thanksgiving foods. Italian may not be the traditional route for a Thanksgiving feast, but the food friendliness of these wines will make them an absolute knockout at your table. Whether you're looking for a crisp white, a luxurious red, or something bolder, look no further than K&L’s Italian aisle.
I would start the party off with Prosecco, which is a classic option for an aperitivo and works beautifully with food or without. The 2023 Andreola "Mas De Fer" Rive di Soligo Valdobiadene Prosecco Superiore $21.99 is from the most prestigious region for this beloved Italian bubbly, the Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG, and offers an incredible amount of quality for the price. It’s fresh and full of lively bubbles with delicate aromas of pear, white flowers and citrus on an extremely balanced finish. Put out your appetizers, pour everyone a glass of this, and you’ll be feeling festive in no time.
For a versatile Italian white wine, I recommend the 2023 Colli di Catone Frascati Superiore $16.99. This is crisp and crunchy from the volcanic soils of Lazio’s Frascati region. Lazio is the region where Rome lies, and its winemaking history dates all the way back to the ancient Romans—it’s one of Italy’s oldest wine regions. This is a lighter-bodied wine with delicious notes of green apple, pear, citrus, and a hint of almond on the finish. It will be fantastic alongside any number of dishes and is a flexible, easy fit for the complex melange of sweet and savory flavors that will likely be on your table.
When it’s time to move on to red, grab the 2020 Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano $19.99 94JS for a surefire crowd pleaser. This showcases ripe cherries, plums, and a bit of spice, all wrapped in soft tannins. Its structure and freshness will bring out the best in delicious dishes like stuffing and cranberry sauce. This wine adds a special elegance to any table.
Schiava is a light-bodied, fragrant red grape native to the alpine region of Italy. It makes a lovely wine, and the 2023 Alois Lageder Vernatsch Schiava $18.99 is a great example. Delicate flavors of red berries, rose, and hints of spice waft from the glass and keep you coming back for more. It’s a versatile choice, and is both this wine elegant and fun, with just enough acidity to cleanse the palate between bites.
If you really want to impress your guests without breaking the bank, try the 2017 Il Paradiso di Frassina "Moz Art Wine" Brunello di Montalcino $34.99 95JS. Mozart Brunello is a truly special Thanksgiving star. This Brunello is known for its complexity and age-worthiness, and, at seven years old, this bottling is really shining right now. It showcases layers of dark fruit, leather, and tobacco, with rich yet polished tannins. This makes it a great choice, especially for the dark turkey meat, or if you serve savory dishes like roast lamb or mushrooms. It’s a wine with depth and complexity that will no doubt leave a lasting impression.