As a wine buyer, I rely heavily the insight of my Wine Reps.
In North Carolina’s tightly regulated alcohol sales system, wine distributors have a lot of influence over what wines make it to retail shelves. As brokers, they manage producer portfolios, statewide placements, and the delicate logistics of moving large amounts of wine accurately and without damage, all while working within margins so tight that a few cents per ounce can be the difference between selling a palate a month, and selling nothing at all. We work together to bring great wines to the shelves.
But Thanksgiving offers a rare break from selling and allows them to flex their broad knowledge and access to great wines for the benefit of their family meals. This year, I asked ten of local reps what's they're bringing to Thanksgiving Dinner year, and they answered with bottles from their sales portfolios, and also from their personal collections and a few insights onto how they make their selections.
How much wine should I bring?
While local guidance says to plan for 3-4 glasses of wine per dinner guest, you will likely need less wine than you think you will. Almost all of the wine pros I spoke with cracked open 3 bottles with dinner: a bottle of bubbles, a white wine, and a light red.
Should I bring Chardonnay? Pinot Noir?
Completely dependent on what you like. While classic styles of Chardonnay and Pinot have historically held up to rich, feast-like foods, there are so many options to explore! If your family does a ham in place of a turkey, a slightly sweeter wine like Riesling or a fruity Rosé can complement the saltiness of the meat. Only doing sides? Be sure to grab Lambrusco to pair with your collard greens!
Leave it to what feels right, and err on the side of caution by sticking to light bodied options, like Sauvignon Blanc and Gamay. Otherwise, you may be left cradling an expensive bottle all night in a corner by yourself.
How much should I spend?
Depends on your budget. The joy of working in wine sales is that you are constantly comparison shopping. Regular purchasing has taught me, as as rule of thumb, if an everyday drinking wine is $30-40 bucks, I stick between the $45 and $70 mark for Thanksgiving. More if you have a small group that will really appreciate what you've brought, and much less if you have a large group that will ask questions like "Is it alcoholic? Good," all night.
That's a lot to remember!
Don't stress! When in doubt, reach out to a wine rep at your local shop to ask them to help you with your selections. With their expertise, you can elevate your Thanksgiving feast with the perfect wine pairing. And if they aren't helpful, that's crazy, sounds like it's time for you to find a new wine shop!
Final Thoughts
Almost everyone I spoke to about their personal wine selections said the same thing: "Not many people in my family appreciate good wines!" The joy of having heaps of wine knowledge and access is, believe or not, is sharing it with other people who understand what a good find they have in their glass!
If you were the only one at Thanksgiving Dinner appreciating the wine pairings, come to Loose Tannins on Thursdays after 7pm, where we make a habit of tasting in moderation and sharing generously!
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