Thanksgiving isn’t just primetime for turkey, it’s time for wine, too! With so many dishes to enjoy in one meal, here’s a guide for winin’ and dinin’ for Thanksgiving Pairings from Messina Hof.
It’s not everyday that you get invited (again) for a private wine tasting with the owners of the most-awarded winery in Texas, so when it happens, you say yes (again.)
Pulling up to the Main Street in Grapevine, I was all smiles (and a little bit of anxiety) to spend the afternoon with my mom getting to know Paul and Karen Bonarrigo, the other half-owners of Messina Hof. The couple hails from the 40-year-old Messina Hof legacy began by Paul Vincent and Merrill Bonarrigo in Bryan, Texas, which has expanded to produce 130,000 gallons per year and the leader in the Texas wine industry. Paul also is the president-elect of the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association (TWGGA), so to say this “pairing” knows wine is an understatement.
However, about two seconds together, as the first ounce hit the bottom of the glass, it seemed like four old friends were catching up as we enjoyed several of the newly released wines. But that’s exactly the best way to describe Messina Hof – and it’s line up of more than 90 wines from 30 varietals – you can taste the family and tradition that has made it the name it is today. And each taste we enjoyed took on a new taste, but with a familiar feeling you just wanted to continue to enjoy.
So just in time for Thanksgiving, an event heralded for spending time with great food, great friends, and great family, there’s no better winemaker than Messina Hof to help you pair with the dishes you’ll have around the table. From turkey, to green bean casserole, and even your cranberry sauce, there’s Texas’ own Messina Hof to pair perfectly.
Thanksgiving Pairings
Holiday foods are usually bigger than life – big flavors, heavy textures, rich ingredients, and lots of herbs and spices. Those complex dishes make for dynamic wine pairings that can flex in different directions. Plus, your guests will have different palates and will enjoy different elements of dishes. So, have multiple wines available for sampling.
ROASTED TURKEY
Gewürztraminer
Dry Riesling
Tempranillo
FRIED TURKEY
Sparkling Brut
Pinot Grigio
Pinot Noir
BROWN SUGAR GLAZED TURKEY
Gewürztraminer
Beau
Dry Riesling
STUFFING
Chardonnay
Merlot
Sagrantino
CRANBERRY SAUCE
Grenache Rosé
Viognier
Pinot Noir
GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE
Sauvignon Blanc
Cabernet Sauvignon
Primitivo
PECAN PIE
Tawny Port
Solera Sherry
Paulo Port
PUMPKIN PIE
Sparkling Moscato
Angel Riesling, Late Harvest
Port
COLOR CODE:
Dry White or Rosé
Semi-Sweet/Dry Wine
Dry Red
Dessert Wine
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