Savoring Southern Thanksgiving Traditions with Kiepersol Wines and Spirits
Thanksgiving is a time to gather with loved ones, savor comforting dishes, and embrace tradition. Pairing Kiepersol wines and spirits with classic Thanksgiving dishes for a Texas-style feast can elevate the flavors and bring out the best in each course. Here’s our guide to Thanksgiving pairings to highlight each dish’s unique characteristics.
Turkey with Cranberry Sauce & Kiepersol Rosé Reserve
Roasted turkey with cranberry sauce is the centerpiece of Thanksgiving, and Kiepersol Rosé Reserve is a fantastic complement. This dry rosé, with its fruit-forward notes and bright acidity, balances the savory flavors of the turkey and enhances the cranberry sauce’s tart sweetness. Together, they create a balanced, refreshing pairing.
Serving Tip: Add a hint of orange zest to your cranberry sauce to bring out the citrus undertones in the rosé.
Sweet Potatoes & Jimmy’s Blended 84 Proof Bourbon
Sweet potatoes bring a natural caramelized sweetness to the table, making Jimmy’s Blended 84 Proof Bourbon a fitting partner. The bourbon’s warm, vanilla notes enhance the creamy richness of sweet potatoes, while its smooth finish contrasts the natural sweetness for a balanced bite.
Serving Tip: A sprinkle of cinnamon or a pat of brown sugar butter on the sweet potatoes will echo the bourbon’s deep flavors.
Cornbread Dressing & Kiepersol Merlot
Cornbread dressing, with its herby, savory flavors, pairs wonderfully with Kiepersol Merlot. The Merlot’s smooth texture and subtle notes of cherry and spice bring out the earthy, comforting flavors in the dressing, enhancing the herbs and creating a cozy pairing.
Serving Tip: Add a touch of sausage to the dressing for extra depth, which pairs beautifully with Merlot’s fruity undertones.
Mac and Cheese Casserole with Smoky Spice & Barrel No. 33
Mac and cheese with a smoky breadcrumb topping is a rich and hearty side dish. Barrel No. 33 matches it well, with its smooth body and subtle oak aging that complements the creaminess of the cheese and enhances the smoky spices.
Serving Tip: Add smoked paprika or a touch of cayenne to the mac and cheese to deepen the flavors alongside Barrel No. 33.
Green Bean Casserole & Kiepersol Edelvit
Green bean casserole, a staple with its creamy sauce and crispy onions, pairs nicely with Kiepersol Edelvit. The wine’s light structure and refreshing acidity enhance the green beans and cut through the casserole’s richness, creating a pairing that feels balanced and vibrant.
Serving Tip: Add sautéed mushrooms for extra earthiness, bringing out Edelvit’s delicate flavors.
Pecan Pie & Kiepersol Ruby Port
Pecan pie, with its caramelized nutty sweetness, is perfectly complemented by Kiepersol Ruby Port. The port’s complex layers of ripe fruit and sweetness mirror the richness of the pie, creating a dessert pairing that’s deeply satisfying.
Serving Tip: Serve the pie slightly warm with a dollop of whipped cream and a glass of Ruby Port for each guest to sip alongside.
Pumpkin Pie & Sparkling Maria Petronella
Pumpkin pie, with its smooth, spiced filling, pairs well with Maria Petronella, Kiepersol’s sparkling semi-sweet wine. The bubbles and gentle sweetness of Maria Petronella accentuate the warm spices in the pie, creating a festive, refreshing pairing to close out the meal.
Serving Tip: Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg on top of the pie to bring out the spice in the wine.
Tips to Make Thanksgiving Fun & Memorable
Thanksgiving is about celebrating connections, and a few special touches can make the holiday even more meaningful:
Thanksgiving Wine & Bourbon Tasting Station: Set up a tasting station where guests can try each pairing with its dish. This allows everyone to experience the different flavors and appreciate each pairing.
Thanksgiving Recipe Swap: Invite guests to bring a favorite family recipe to share. At the end of the meal, everyone can go home with new recipes and pairing ideas to try.
Handwritten Thank-You Notes as Favors: Give each guest a thank-you note and a small memento from a Kiepersol wine they enjoyed, like a cork. It’s a lovely way to end the meal and create lasting memories.
With Kiepersol wines and spirits on your table, every dish becomes an experience, celebrating the flavors, traditions, and connections that make Thanksgiving so special. Let us know what pairings you create for your Thanksgiving table.
Kelly Doherty is the Branding and Marketing Director of Kiepersol. A photographer, graphic designer, and writer at heart, the winery and vineyard are the inspired backdrop for Kelly’s creative endeavors.
She holds a WSET Level 3 Award in Wines from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, is a member of the Society of Wine Educators, and loves talking about wine.
