Thanksgiving Buying Guide: Find Your Perfect Pairing
This week, we’re officially kicking off our Thanksgiving planning. Halloween is in the rearview mirror; Hannukah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa are just far enough away that we don’t have to wrap our brains around gifting quite yet… No elves on the shelves, but our rally bird is out in Redwood City—it’s the perfect time to talk turkey.
Planning Thanksgiving is no small task: there are so many dishes in a traditional spread that it takes some coordination to get the ingredients, the shopping trips, and the oven timing organized. Likewise, the multitude of flavors and textures at play on the table means it does take a bit of strategy to get the perfect wines to make everything harmonize just right. Luckily, that’s the part of Thanksgiving prep that K&L staffers love most, and we’re here to help you knock Thanksgiving 2024 outta the park!
Wines Accompany So Much More Than Just the Meal
A Tale of Three Thanksgivings... And Their Wines
A Thanksgiving Feast So Nice He Does It Twice
Thanksgiving, Italian Style
Pair Your Bird with the Best Brandy from France
Australia and New Zealand Put the Fun in Friendsgiving
Domestic Wine: Endless Opportunity for Magical Pairings
Champagnes and White Wines to Steal the Holiday Show
Splurge-Worthy Wines for Your Thanksgiving Feast
Also don't forget to check out our upcoming tastings and special events to check out these wines and more at one of our K&L locations.
Wines Accompany So Much More Than Just the Meal
—Ryan Moses, K&L Bordeaux Buyer
I think it’s worth mentioning that the magic of the holiday happens during the times that aren’t the meal itself. Wednesday night cocktails when everyone first arrives and catches up, or the chaos of too many cooks in the kitchen on Thursday as everything comes together. These are the moments where wines can come from anywhere—they just need to bring smiles to faces. Here are the wines I would pick for my Thanksgiving—selections that will make any wine enthusiast feel at home, but are also easy to enjoy for anyone just looking to grab a glass. Read more from Ryan about his picks for the Thanksgiving table and beyond.
2019 La Louvière Blanc, Pessac-Léognan $36.99 View
2020 Troplong Mondot, St-Émilion $109.99 View
2015 Labégorce, Margaux (1.5L) $129.99 View
2016 Labégorce, Margaux $44.99 View
2021 Martin Woods "Koosah Vineyard" Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir $49.95 View
2020 Château Gigognan Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Signargues $14.99 View
2023 Xanadu "Estate" Chardonnay Margaret River Western Australia $24.99 View
2018 Beaulieu Vineyard "Georges de Latour - Private Reserve" Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon $139.95 View
Pierre Mineral Mesnil "Vieillie En Fût" Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne $49.99 View
2005 Secret Orkney (Highland Park) 19 Year Old "Signatory" K&L Exclusive #DRU 17/A63 #28 First Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt Cask Strength Non Chillfiltered Orkney Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $179.99 View
A Tale of Three Thanksgivings... And Their Wines
—Keith Mabry, K&L Rhône and French Regional Buyer
Thanksgiving is still one of my favorite holidays. It is one of the few times where I am able to see most of my extended family all in one place. It is also one of the few gatherings where I am not called upon to contribute a dish or cook a whole meal for everyone. My cost of admission: just a few bottles of wines to share at the table. But, I do love to cook so I was also an early adopter of Friendsgiving. For many years, I have been hosting them at my home (or at friends’ homes) where I prepare a meal. I usually plan a themed meal around my Friendsgiving since I already get to do all the traditional stuff on regular Thanksgiving. Read more from Keith about his three Thanksgivings and the wines that pair perfectly.
Maison Laudacius "Laudacius" Brut Nature Montlouis Methode Traditionnnelle $17.99 View
2023 Domaine des Amoureux Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie $11.99 View
2022 Domaine les Pins "Les Rochettes" Bourgueil $13.99 View
2023 Domaine des Côtes Blanches (Nicolas Millet) Sancerre $22.99 View
2022 Bernard Baudry "Les Grézeaux" Chinon $27.99 View
2019 Château Gigognan "Clos du Roi" Châteauneuf-du-Pape $34.99 View
2020 Domaine des Ronces Brut Cremant du Jura $29.99 View
2022 Domaine de la Taille Aux Loups "Clos de Mosny" Montlouis-sur-Loire $39.99 View
2022 Domaine Benedetti "Statera" Cinsault Châteauneuf-du-Pape $59.99 View
A Thanksgiving Feast So Nice He Does It Twice
—Gary Westby, K&L Champagne Buyer
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. I like it so much that it is worth doing twice—the first time to “test out my recommendations for the year”… or at least that is my excuse to get a preview of the main event. Everything about Thanksgiving is perfect for me: I love the sentiment of gratefulness; the opportunity to gather friends and family; the traditional spread of roast turkey, gravy, stuffing, and mashed potatoes; and double fisting with rosé Champagne and Burgundy at the table. This weekend we did just that, and I am happy to report that I have two great Champagnes and one great bottle of Burgundy that have been thoroughly tested and vetted chez Westby by me and my wife Cinnamon! Read more from Gary on how practice (Thanksgiving) makes perfect (Thanksgiving).
2012 Billecart-Salmon "Cuvée Louis" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne $199.99 View
2022 Domaine Jean-Michel Giboulot Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru "Aux Serpentières" $44.99 View
Pierre Paillard "Les Terres Roses" Grand Cru Extra Brut Rosé Champagne $64.99 View
Thanksgiving, Italian Style
—Orazio Campoli, K&L Italian Wine Buyer
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. Read more from Orazio on his food-friendly and irresistible selections.
2023 Andreola "Mas De Fer" Rive di Soligo Valdobiadene Prosecco Superiore (Elsewhere $28) $21.99 View
2023 Colli di Catone Frascati Superiore $16.99 View
2017 Il Paradiso di Frassina "Moz Art Wine" Brunello di Montalcino (Elsewhere $60) $34.99 View
2023 Alois Lageder Vernatsch Schiava $18.99 View
2020 Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano $19.99 View
Pair Your Bird with the Best Brandy from France
—David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer
The world might still be griping about inflation, but here at K&L we’re actively lowering prices like never before. You need to pay attention to our new product feed for most of the craziest deals, although certain special products have been held back from marketing due to my desire to have interesting, affordable products for the holiday season. No telling how long they’ll last, but right now we’ve got an incredible array of fall flavors from some of France’s finest brandy producers. Take a look at this incredible array of special products that we were perfectly happy to sell at full price, but MUCH happier to sell at ridiculous discounts. Read more from David and how brandy is a must-have for the holiday.
1972 Domaine Dupont Vintage Calvados Pays d'Auge (750ml) (Elsewhere $500) $199.99 View
1988 Domaine Dupont Vintage Calvados Pay d'Auge (750ml) (Previously $250) $159.99 View
Paul Giraud X.O. Grande Champagne Cognac (750ml) (Elsewhere $130) $99.99 View
Paul Giraud Tres Rare Grande Champagne Cognac (750ml) (Previously $400) $200.00 View
Baron de Lustrac 25 Year Old Brut de Fût Bas Armagnac (750ml) (Previously $90) $59.99 View
Australia and New Zealand Put the Fun in Friendsgiving
—Thomas Smith, K&L Commonwealth Wine Buyer
Thanksgiving is a time to gather with family, celebrate the season, and reflect on the things we’re most thankful for. While we reserve the day itself for extended family, each year my family and I spend the weekend before giving thanks for our friends with a Friendsgiving party. While I enjoy splurging on a few fancy bottles for Thanksgiving itself, for Friendsgiving, I typically hunt for more affordable wines that punch well above their price point. We don’t want to break the bank, but we want everyone to enjoy the wine. That’s one reason I keep returning to the wines of New Zealand and Australia for Friendsgiving. Read more from Thomas on the wines he'll be serving at Friendsgiving this year.
2023 Matt Connell "Rendition" Pinot Noir Central Otago $29.99 View
2023 Mount Edward Gamay Central Otago (Previously $25) $17.99 View
2023 Austin's "6 ft. 6" Pinot Noir Geelong Victoria $14.99 View
2022 Settlement "Heritage Vineyard" Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough (Previously $20) $9.99 View
Domestic Wine: Endless Opportunity for Magical Pairings
—Ryan Woodhouse, K&L Domestic Wine Buyer
As I’ve written in years gone by, Thanksgiving is one of the funnest meals to pair wine with because, although you have the basic building blocks of what the spread will probably look like, so many folks have their own traditions and speciality dishes they contribute to the ensemble, giving endless opportunities to find new and magical food pairings. It’s also typically a long day of food preparation, socializing, and, quite frankly, some good old day drinking. So, keep refreshment in mind and always have some nice crisp, fresh, white wines on hand to keep that palate energized for the finishing stretch of chewing on a turkey leg or that extra scoop of stuffing you probably could have done without! I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving shared with loved ones new and old. Read more from Ryan about the remarkable range that makes these selections ideal for the holiday.
2023 Filomena "Unti Vineyard" Dry Creek Valley Vermentino $24.95 View
2021 MaidenStoen "Zabala Vineyard" Arroyo Seco Riesling $19.95 View
2023 Orixe Sotelo "ALBOR" Calaveras County Albariño - Godello - Treixadura White Blend $29.95 View
2022 Talley "Estate" SLO Coast Chardonnay $29.95 View
2021 Marine Layer "Marine Layer Estate Vineyard" Sonoma Coast Chardonnay $49.95 View
2022 I. Brand & Family "Eden Rift Vineyard" Cienega Valley Pinot Gris (Ramato) $29.95 View
2023 Vinos Finos "Sabroso" Central Coast Red Blend (Elsewhere $35) $22.95 View
2023 Rootdown "Cole Ranch" Mendocino Trousseau $29.95 View
2023 Turley "Bechthold Vineyard" Lodi Cinsault $29.95 View
2023 Hundred Suns Willamette Valley Gamay Noir $32.95 View
2022 Peay West Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir $49.95 View
2022 Domaine Drouhin "Laurène" Dundee Hills Pinot Noir $74.95 View
2022 Purple Hands "Shea Vineyard" Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir $54.95 View
2022 Mike & Molly Hendry "R.W. Moore Vineyard" Napa Valley Zinfandel (Elsewhere $45) $29.95 View
2021 Denner "Ditch Digger" Paso Robles Red Blend $79.95 View
Champagnes and White Wines to Steal the Holiday Show
—Chelsea Herholdt, K&L Key Accounts
As the holiday season swiftly approaches, a familiar anxiety emerges: what should you bring as a beverage to all these gatherings? How do you unite with close friends and family, who may or may not appreciate your "best stuff," while still feeling thrilled to uncork a bottle? Fortunately, after wrestling with this conundrum for over a decade, I know how to find the sweet spots. The following Champagne and white wine icons will pique the interest of your wine-savvy company, won't completely break the bank (with one notable, bank-break worthy exception), and will add an extra layer of heartwarming flavor to the holiday experience. Read more from Chelsea about selections that will steal the show for the holiday.
2008 Taittinger "Comtes de Champagne" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne $269.99 View
Krug "Grande Cuvée" 172ème Édition Brut Champagne $259.99 View
2023 Domaine Pascal Cotat "Les Monts Damnés" Sancerre $99.99 View
2021 Cantina Terlano "Vorberg" Pinot Bianco Riserva Alto Adige $56.99 View
2016 Domaine Coche-Dury Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru $4,999.99 View
Splurge-Worthy Wines for Your Thanksgiving Feast
—Christian Zak, K&L Key Accounts
I really look forward to the fall season and all that it entails. The trees start to drop their leaves—as much as they can in Southern California—and we are greeted with that first blast of cool air. This is Mother Nature’s way of telling me that the season is changing, and I should get ready to change too—shifting the way I eat, the way I dress, and of course my favorite part, the way I drink. Put away the rosé, it is time to relax at night by a fire with some well-aged red wines. Drinking older vintages of red wine offers a unique experience that often exceeds expectations, as the primary fruit flavors in their youth take a backseat to the complex tertiary flavors that only the tender hand of age can provide. Read more from Christian for some perfectly aged selections and a bubbly and white Burgundy to match.
2015 Pol Roger Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne $149.99 View
2020 Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Meursault 1er Cru "Les Genevrières" $124.99 View
2004 Lopez de Heredia "Viña Tondonia" Gran Reserva Rioja $224.99 View
2010 Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac-Léognan $219.99 View