Every year, around this time, a plethora of articles are written and endless suggestions made about what wine goes best with Thanksgiving Dinner.  You could use the same information for Christmas Dinner too, as we often consume the same types of foods.

There's charts, and graphs, detailed grape variety descriptions, reds versus whites, and what about Roses?  More often than not, one is more confused after reading these articles than enlightened.

And, what if Aunt Mildred brings her favourite bottle of wine that isn't on the "suggested pairing lists"?  

Family dinners can be stressful enough without going through all the added drama of what wines to serve.  

Roast turkey dinners with various side dishes are wonderful family meals.  There's usually something for everyone, a traditional dish that's been prepared over the years, the usual suspects like mashed potatoes, carrots, and corn, squashes or sweet potatoes.  White meat, dark meat on the turkey, lots of gravy and don't forget the cranberry sauce!   Yum!  Makes me hungry!

Many wine suggestions consider the main ingredient - in this case the turkey.  However, with so many other rich and flavourful dishes to accompany the beast, serving a Riesling or a Pinot Noir would work fine, but so could a lightly oaked Chardonnay or a juicy red Gamay.

Zinfandels and Pinot Gris go well too, and if you absolutely won't drink anything other than a full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon (in my opinion - a bit much)  then go for it. 

The bottom line on family roast beast dinners like this?  Drink the wine you enjoy.  It's a dinner that's all about sharing with friends and family, tasting lots of delicous foods and chatting with each other. 

So relax.  Drink what you like, and let Aunt Mildred drink her favourite wine too!

Happy Thanksgiving!