Elevate Your Holiday Feast with Perfect Pairings

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Elevate Your Holiday Feast with Perfect Wine Pairings

Toasting with a glass of Sandbanks French Kiss Merlot Cabernet VQA over Thanksgiving Dinner.

Gearing up to play host this holiday season? Celebrate the long weekend with family, laughter, and a feast complemented with the perfect wines. As Thanksgiving looms, we’re here to help with a delicious lineup of wine and food pairings to elevate your dining experience. Starting with an easy appetizer full of cheesy goodness!  

Three Pairing Ideas for Your Table 

Appetizer: Craving a simple yet divine appetizer? Brie is a classic choice for the holidays. You can serve it as the star on a cheese plate with crackers or bake it in the oven with a drizzle of honey, fresh herbs, and seasonal fruit toppings, from apples and cranberries to raspberry jam. Our top pick, however, is red pepper jelly!  

Sweet and spicy, this easy Red Pepper Jelly Baked Brie appetizer can be whipped up in minutes and paired with a variety of local Ontario wines, including crisp and fruity white wines. 

Red Pepper Jelly Baked Brie Recipe with Figs, Cranberry and mini toast paired with red wine.

Wine pairing: Crisp and fruity with notes of lemongrass, citrus and gooseberry, the soft tannins and acidic finish make BASK Sauvignon Blanc a great match with Brie’s creamy texture. The refreshing notes contrast Brie's richness perfectly, leaving your palate craving more. 

750 ml

$13.95

750 ml

Price reduced to

$16.95

from the original price of

$19.95

750 ml

Price reduced to

$17.95

from the original price of

$19.95

750 ml

$13.95

750 ml

Price reduced to

$16.95

from the original price of

$19.95

750 ml

Price reduced to

$17.95

from the original price of

$19.95

Main: Turkey’s juicy and sumptuous flavour profile opens a plethora of wine pairing options, from rich, earthy, and fruit-forward red wines to refreshing and crisp white wines. For red wine enthusiasts, Pinot Noir with turkey is a must-try pairing! The soft tannins and fruity notes are delicate enough, which work to complement the turkey without being overpowering. When cranberry sauce is added to the mix, the earthy tones in Pinot Noir are a wonderful contrast.  

Toasting with red wine, over a dinner table of food.

Wine pairing: A standout red wine and classic pairing with turkey is Jackson-Triggs Grand Reserve Pinot Noir. Its earthy nuances, intertwined with fresh red fruit, plum, and blueberry offer a captivating flavour on the palate. Its bright acidity and juicy tannins seamlessly pair with not just turkey, but a range of delicious side dishes on your table – be it stuffed mushrooms, bacon-wrapped asparagus, butternut squash, or roasted root vegetables.

Dessert: When it comes to desserts like the classic pumpkin pie, the rule is simple: The wine should be sweeter than what’s on your plate. The benefit of pumpkin pie is that it pairs with a variety of wines, from a late harvest Gewurztraminer to a rich Chardonnay and chilled Icewines. Crisp and light wines complement pumpkin pie’s richness whereas a sweeter Icewine is a wonderful contrast for a creamy pumpkin pie that’s less sweet with a hint of spicy nutmeg.

Inniskillin Icewine bottle and glass paired with a pumpkin pie dessert.

Wine pairing: One of our favourite pumpkin pie pairings is an iconic Icewine, like Inniskillin Vidal Icewine – a symphony of mango, apricot, and honey aromas. With flavours of peach and candied brown sugar, balanced by a bold and refreshing acidity that will cleanse the palate with every complementary bite. Not a pumpkin pie fan? Opt for a classic cheesecake instead!  

750 ml

Price reduced to

$13.95

from the original price of

$15.95

750 ml

Price reduced to

$13.95

from the original price of

$15.95

Find Your Holiday Wine Pairings at Wine Rack

Bottle of Sandbanks French Kiss Merlot Cabernet VQA at Thanksgiving dinner.

Elevate your dining experience from start to finish! Whether it’s that initial appetizer that sets the tone, the hearty main course, or the perfect dessert to end the evening on a sweet note, Wine Rack has your wine pairing needs covered!  

When it comes to choosing wine and food pairings, you want harmony between a wine’s characteristics and the elements in your dish. Unsure about the ideal wine choice? Discover a diverse selection of local Ontario wines, from robust red wines and refreshing white wines to bubbly sparkling wines and award-winning Icewines – all at Wine Rack. And if you’re stuck, our team of local wine experts can offer helpful wine recommendations to suit your unique tastes and budget.  

Wine Rack is your one-stop-shop for all your wine needs, offering an extensive wine selection both in-store and online. So, whether you’re in the neighbourhood or prefer to shop online with wine delivery, you can enjoy an easy-to-find shopping experience. Plus, select Wine Rack locations are open late with convenient store hours, even on long weekends. With a Wine Rack near you, your holiday shopping just got a lot easier! Cheers to good times and great wine this long weekend.  

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