Thanksgiving Hosting Essentials, Wine Pairings and Food Inspiration
Whether you are having an intimate Thanksgiving with just a few guests or you are finally having the large holiday gathering for all your friends and family, there are a few essential things that will make your party a huge success. The right preparation and home essentials can make any Thanksgiving get together a breeze.
- Enjoy yourself and your company!
Sometimes when we are planning an event, we forget that the most important thing is the love and joy that you share with others. Take a deep breath and know that your holiday plan will be amazing and the ones you love will have amazing food, drinks, and company.
- We start with the drinks!
Make sure your wine and beverages are at the perfect temperature for the perfect pour to start your holiday party. There are many great space savers for wine and beverage storage to make your bar area functional for any size party.
Small, intimate gatherings:
A 12 bottle on counter wine cooler is the perfect size for any kitchen!
For your other beverages or extra food storage space, try a mini fridge in a fun color! (also available in Lavender Purple, Saffron Yellow, and Emerald Green)
Medium gatherings:
A 15” wine fridge can easily go into a small under cabinet space or garbage disposal area. It will provide great wine storage in a small area that is still easily accessible and will not take up any additional kitchen space.
The whole crew:
Thankfully, we can finally have our large family and friend gatherings again! Many people means many beverages. Choose from combination wine and beverage coolers or even a wine fridge and kegerator combo. These will fit great in rec rooms, kitchens, garages, or even pool houses (for you lucky people living in year round warm climates!)
- Pair some fun apps with your drinks!
We know the turkey is the star, but your appetizers set the stage for the evening. Here are some of our favorites: Cranberry Baked Brie, a classic Charcuterie Board, Creamy Pumpkin Hummus, Fried Mac and Cheese Balls, Crostinis, Baked Spinach Dip, Veggie Platter with Dip, and Bacon Wrapped Brussel Sprouts. For recipes, please email us at drink@justchillwine.com
- Best wines for Thanksgiving
Since there are so many flavors on the Thanksgiving table, you may wonder how many types of wine you will need for your special dinner. Thankfully, there are a couple of comprehensive wines that work. The general consensus is Pinot Noir is the best for this meal; a light red that has wonderful fall pairing flavors and will have enough fruit and acidity to compliment the meal rather than overshadow it. For white lovers, the best wine pairings are Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling for their fresh, sharper notes. Although most people generally prefer bolder wines, Cabernets and Chardonnays oakiness and full-body can overshadow this meal and are better suited for roasted red meats for December holidays. The main rule is have wines you will enjoy at your table!
- Deserts and after dinner drinks
Unbutton those pants, that is if you didn't wear your stretchy ones, because there is always room for deserts (yes, that is plural!) The favorite is obviously pumpkin pie, but add a few more treats to your table: Apple Pie a la Mode, Chocolate Pecan Pie, Coconut Cream Pie, Cranberry Linzer Tort, Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap Crust, Tres Leches Cake, Bread Pudding, or any kind of cookies. If you/re drooling, shoot us an email for recipes drink@justchillwine. Make sure to stock up on your Sweet Wines, Scotch, Whiskey, Bourbon, Amaretto, Coffee Liqueur, Brandy, Grand Marnier, Cognac and Irish Cream for after dinner drinks (okay, maybe not all of them, but a few crowd pleasers is great) Now sit back and relax!
Good luck with Thanksgiving and remember: it's going to be fantastic so Just Chill!