No matter what you have in store this coming long weekend, a good pairing is the cherry on top of a great day. Find all these Thanksgiving-worthy drinks at the LCBO or order winery direct.
Thanksgiving is a time to gather with loved ones, express gratitude, and indulge in a feast that often includes a succulent turkey, myriad side dishes, and delectable desserts. While the show’s star is undoubtedly the meal, a good pairing can elevate the entire day. From red and white wines that go beyond the table wines, bubbles to pair with everything, beverages that are funky, fun and ready for a good conversation, and spirited drinks for all the fall flavours, Thanksgiving pairings are vital to creating a memorable culinary celebration.
Red and Whites That Are Beyond Table Wines
Beyond everyday table wines, a world of reds and whites tantalizes the senses with their exceptional complexity and character. These wines elevate special occasions and transform ordinary moments into extraordinary ones.
Like all wine in the Limited Edition line, the Magnotta Limited Edition Chardonnay has an artist-made image on the front of the bottle. This artwork relates to the wine it adorns. Giving a sense of the wine in the glass, this Chardonnay displays a beautiful piece by Group of Seven Artist Author Lismer. The auburn and cozy nature of the image brings to life the wine so perfectly. It is filled with orchard fruit and toasted notes, with a sense of warmth and ease with every sip.
With its recognizable Luna Moth label, the wines of Lighthall showcase what Prince Edward Couty can do in the glass. The Lighthall Vineyards 2021 South Shore Pinot Noir combines the winery’s South Bay and Estate vineyards into a wine that brings notes of strawberry, candied cherry, savoury character and twiggy earthen tones to life—coupled with a palate that is lifted and vibrant. It is a perfect complement to a festive feast.
Chardonnay is always a good option to have around on Thanksgiving. It is a wine that can pair with all the Thanksgiving classics. The Cave de Lugny Macon-Lugny Saint-Pierre Chardonnay is from the Mâconnais region of Bourgogne, famous for its renditions of Chardonnay. A slightly golden colour, this wine has aromas of white and yellow flowers with hints of lemon and tart apple, shining bright on the palate with a refreshing finish.
Made in the Sambuca di Sicilia region of the province of Agrigento, the Feudo Arancio Cabernet Sauvignon is not your average Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in French oak barrels, this wine has a unique Italian sensibility in the glass. It is filled with bold aroma notes of blackcurrant, ripe cherries, and hints of spice, followed by a powerful palate with rustic tannins.
Bubbles to Pair with Everything
Bubbles can elevate any occasion and pair effortlessly with a wide range of flavours, making them the ultimate versatile companions for your culinary adventures. Whether you go for a potluck or a formal Thanksgiving, a bottle of bubbles is always a good pick.
Sober October is a choice some are in for this holiday season. However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t options. Nozeco, the de-alcoholized sparkling wine, hails from France and is a new addition to LCBO shelves. Made with Muscat grapes, this bubbly is delightful. Perfect for some good clean fun with notes of apple, citrus fruits, and beautiful floral notes followed by a palate that leads with elderflower and makes for a very refreshing finish.
Wrapped in gold and from Ontario, the Magnotta Starlight Venture Series VQA Sparkling blends Riesling and Vidal grapes. It is a refreshing and zesty wine with notes of apple, peach, lemon and orange that finishes off-dry. It’s an excellent pair for dishes with fall spices but a wine that is good for the soul, too. Part of the winery’s Venture series of wines by Magnotta proceeds from every sale go to the G. Magnotta Foundation for Vector-Borne Diseases.
Easy to love and sip, the Lighthall Vineyards Progression Sparkling wine is a bottle that can be poured all day long. A wine expressing solely Vidal grapes shows a vibrant and buoyant expression with every sip. The nose is filled with notes of grapefruit, green apple and bright citrus notes, and the palate is like biting into the perfect nectarine. It is mouth-watering and a great pair with conversation.
No gathering is complete without a bit of Champagne. The Henriot Brut Rosé Champagne 2012 is a stellar and affordable vintage production that is great to bring to Thanksgiving as a gift to the host or to pop open and enjoy. A blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, this bubbly is known for its toasty brioche notes, raspberry, pear, melon and textured aromas with a delightful mousse on the palate and a complex finish.
Funky, Fun and Ready For A Good Conversation
Beverages that are funky, fun, and ready for a good conversation are like liquid companions to lively gatherings. Think of craft cocktails with whimsical garnishes that inspire laughter and camaraderie or colourful mocktails that cater to every palate, sparking delightful discussions.
If wine is not your jam, but you are in for starting in the fall theme, the Grand River Brewing Highballer Pumpkin Ale is a delicious option for Thanksgiving. This Is the kind of beer that will strike up a conversation and be a great option for testing some daring pairing throughout the day. It is a beer made for the moment to showcase aromas of cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cloves, and pumpkin flavours with a balanced palate.
Always a grape that brings conversation everywhere it goes, the Lighthall Vineyards 2021 Foundation Chardonnay is a true expression of County Chardonnay. Prince Edward County – this wine is made in concrete, making for a smooth expression of the grape. It is brimming with honey apples, creamy lemon, and seaside savoury notes. Coupled with a palate that is mineral-driven, luscious, elegant and with an opulent finish.
Delicious like their non-organic counterparts, but with the adding good feelings of choosing the planet, the Vilarnau Barcelona Brut Reserva Organic Cava is a bubbly option to add to the Thanksgiving wine list. Made from grapes grown on the highest and windiest parts of the winery’s Sant Sadurmi d’Anoia vineyards. This sparkling is lively, approachable, and enjoyable, with bright citrus, melon, orchard notes and a vibrant finish.
Many are familiar with the Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio, but have you tried the Santa Margherita Rosé yet? This is a wine made with a lot of care and intention. The winery is known for being superbly sustainably minded. Taking many measures to do so, like reducing the weight of their wine bottles. This rosé brings together Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Nero for a bright and fun wine that is easy to enjoy.
Spirited Drinks For All The Fall Flavours
As autumn blankets the world in rich hues and cozy vibes, spirited drinks for all the fall flavours take center stage. From spiced apple ciders and pumpkin-infused cocktails to warming mulled wines and smoky whiskey creations, these beverages capture the season’s essence in every sip.
A signature of the season, apples, is captured perfectly by the Apple Highball using the Seedlip Garden 108. It is an ideal signature mocktail for a Thanksgiving event that is so easy to make. With 2oz of the Seedlip Graden 108, 1oz of natural apple juice, 1/2oz of both lemon juice and maple syrup. Shake all the ingredients together, top with soda water and serve with an apple slice. It is a delicious nod to the season.
The Dingle Single Malt Irish Whiskey is triple distilled and matured in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks between 5 and 7 years, making it the best choice for a Bourbon Flip Cocktail. Usually done with Sherry and best drunk in the cooler months of the year, it Is a lighter take on eggnog. Add 2oz of Dingle Single Malt Irish Whiskey, 1oz of simple syrup, 1 large egg and ice to a cocktail mixer. Shake until cold, strain and serve in a coupe glass garnished with freshly grated nutmeg.
Scotch is a spirit that seems perfectly crafted for the cooler fall months. The Glencadam American Oak Reserve Single Malt Scotch is aged in ex-bourbon barrels, making for a rich gold-hued drink with aromas of orchard fruit, golden raisins, and sweet vanilla notes, complemented by a smooth palate. Enjoy this one in a Godfather Cocktail, combining 2oz of the Glencadam with 1/4oz of amaretto, stirred over ice.
Warm drinks are what this time of year calls for, and an excellent warm cocktail must be made with a whiskey that can hold its own. Magnotta’s 271 5YO Whisky brings to the glass expressions of nutty chocolate notes and subtle hints of toast. It is great for a Hot Toddy. Start by filling a tall mug with hot water. Add 4 cloves, 1 lemon peel, 2TSP of brown sugar, 1/4oz of lemon juice and 2oz of the Magnotta 271 and enjoy.