Thanksgiving. The table is set, the air smells like every warm memory you’ve ever had, and somewhere in the distance, a turkey is letting out its final hurrah from the oven. Enter: Missouri wines. Not just any wines, but the kind that really know how to hang out with a turkey leg, flirt with some stuffing, and make your grandma’s cranberry sauce feel seen. Forget your usual wine suspects; this year, we’re taking you on a Thanksgiving ride with Missouri’s finest.
Vidal Blanc: The Bright Best Friend at the Table
Think of Vidal Blanc as that one friend who can strike up a conversation with anyone at Friendsgiving, be it your eccentric uncle or the random college friend who showed up for the first time. Crisp, lively, with notes of green apple and citrus that’ll brighten any bite, Vidal is here to play nice with turkey and mashed potatoes alike.
Pairing Plot Twist:
Turkey? Obviously. But here’s where things get interesting: Vidal Blanc also loves creamy green bean casserole and those garlic mashed potatoes. It’s got just enough acidity to keep things from feeling too heavy. Like a light squeeze of lemon on a rich dish, it’s a refresher between bites.
Vignoles: The Sweet Talker
Vignoles is the Missouri wine equivalent of that cousin who always brings a pie and a dessert casserole—semi-sweet with a hint of mischief. Just fruity enough to flirt with your cranberry sauce but with a backbone of acidity that keeps it from being over-the-top sweet. Think honeyed citrus notes, tropical fruit vibes—this one’s here to make every bite taste a little bit brighter.
Perfect Pairing Shenanigans:
Sweet potato casserole and Vignoles are a power couple, the kind that everyone secretly wants to be. The natural sugars in Vignoles match up with the marshmallow sweetness, but it also swoops in with a crisp acidity that can handle cranberry sauce’s zing and even those roasted Brussels sprouts.
Chambourcin: The “I’m Here for the Drama” Red
Chambourcin doesn’t come to play—it’s here for the full spread, rich dark fruits and just enough tannins to make your roast turkey feel like a VIP. This is the wine you bring to impress the “I only drink red” contingent, the one who swears that no white could ever understand them. Chambourcin says, “Challenge accepted.”
Where It Shines:
Chambourcin shines with roasted meats and stuffing. Think of it as the wine version of savory herbs: a hit of dark cherry here, a touch of spice there, playing off those garlic-rosemary roasted potatoes and stuffing with sage. It’s like having a juicy bite of Thanksgiving in every sip.
Chardonel: The Great Thanksgiving Balancer
Let’s face it: Thanksgiving is a table of extremes. Creamy mashed potatoes next to tart cranberry sauce. Turkey on one side, stuffing on the other. Enter Chardonel, a wine that gets it. Part crisp, part creamy, with pear and apple flavors that make it the great unifier of your Thanksgiving meal. If Missouri wines were a Thanksgiving spread, Chardonel would be the mashed potatoes—everyone loves it, and it somehow just works with everything.
Pairing Pro Tip:
You’ll want to sip this with turkey, obviously. But give it a go with stuffing and some roasted squash, too. It cuts the richness but plays well with the holiday flavors. If you have a cheese board kicking things off, Chardonel is a delight with Brie and even a little sharp cheddar.
Norton: The Bold One (Also, Missouri’s Star)
If Chambourcin is a rich red, Norton is Thanksgiving royalty. Deep, dark, and complex, Norton is the wine for those who really want a glass that can handle their turkey and potatoes, their pecan pie, and maybe even a late-night sandwich made from leftovers. It’s a Missouri Wine power player, with intense flavors of blackberry, cherry, and just enough spice to feel festive.
Ultimate Pairing Adventure:
Turkey, obviously. But also pecan pie. Yes, Norton has the body and complexity to go the distance from savory to sweet. It pairs equally well with the earthy goodness of stuffing and roasted root veggies, giving the whole feast a little extra weight. Try it with a slice of apple pie if you’re feeling adventurous, and taste how it balances the fruit with its depth.
Each of these Missouri wine varietals brings its own magic to Thanksgiving, and here’s the best part: the wineries in Excelsior Wine Country—Van Till Family Farm Winery, Fence Stile Vineyards, Winery and Distillery, and Shamrock Hills Vineyard & Winery—each have their own unique spin on these wines. Whether it’s a crisp Vidal Blanc, a bold Norton, or a perfectly balanced Chardonel, each winery crafts its version with love, tradition, and a touch of Missouri’s unique terroir.
Why not make a trip to Excelsior Wine Country and discover your favorite Missouri Wine? Each winery has a tasting room where you can explore their wines, chat with winemakers, and find the bottles that will make your Thanksgiving feast unforgettable. So, raise a glass to new traditions, Missouri flavors, and wines as bold and comforting as the holiday itself. Cheers to a Thanksgiving infused with a little Missouri soul!
Leave a Reply