Thanksgiving Wine Pairing: Southern Menu

Southern food is known for rich flavors and comforting dishes.  Bring that southern sense of warmth and ease to Thanksgiving with this southern-style menu.

Begin with a tangy potato salad.. 

Southern Potato Salad

·          10 red potatoes, unpeeled

·          5 eggs, hard boiled and chopped

·          ¾ cup sour cream

·          ¾ cup mayonnaise

·          1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

·          1 tablespoon brown mustard

·          1 teaspoon celery salt

·          1 tablespoon dried dill

·          salt and pepper to taste

·          6 strips of bacon, cooked fully and crumbled

1.       In a large pot, cover potatoes with cold water and bring to a boil over high heat.  Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.  Remove the potatoes and let them cool completely before chopping them coarsely.

2.       In a separate bowl, stir together sour cream, mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, celery salt, salt and pepper.

3.       In a large serving bowl, toss together potatoes, eggs, bacon crumbles, and dried dill.  Top with mayonnaise mixture and toss to coat.  Refrigerate for one hour and serve cold.

This rich potato salad pairs perfectly with the light fruit flavors of an Albariño or Muscadet. 

Try any of these top rated wines:

Serge Batard Domaine Les Hautes Noelles 2007 Muscadet Cotes de Grandlieu ($13),

Domaine de la Pepiere 2006 Muscadet Clos de Briords ($36),

Do Ferreiro Cepas Vellas 2007 Albariño ($55). 

The second course is made up of a Cajun deep fried turkey with bacon macaroni and cheese. 

These filling dishes should be paired with a light and dry Soave.  Try the

Allegrini 2007 Soave Classico Superiore ($13),

Inama 2005 Soave Classico Vigneti di Foscarino ($27),

Pieropan 2004 Recioto di Soave le Colombare ($52.)

Add an earthy taste to your vegetable side dish by preparing southern holiday greens. 

This easy vegetable dish will be perfectly complimented by the vegetal tones in a Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Mandolin 2006 Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon ($12),

Earthquake 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon ($28), or

Rapture 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon ($59)

For dessert, offer dinner guests a choice between a thick, sweet southern-style banana pudding and an easy bourbon pecan pie.  Pair these rich dessert options with a sweet Ice Wine such as:

Burgherm Weinhandels Nachtgold Eiswien ($16),

Fiori Vidal 2006 Ice Wine ($35), and

Keyways Winery 2006 Krystal Yakima Valley Chenin Blanc Ice Wine ($45)