Every dish on the Thanksgiving table tells a story. The right wine alongside each one makes the story better. From a silky soup course to a festive cobbler, here are four pairings from Beringer's portfolio designed to carry the meal from beginning to end.
At a Glance
- Course 1: Private Reserve Chardonnay with Silky Meyer Lemon Soup
- Course 2: Winery Exclusive Pinot Noir with Chicken Liver Pâté on Crostini
- Course 3: Bancroft Ranch Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon with Stuffed Duck with Cherry Port Sauce
- Course 4: Celebration Cuvée with Black Cherry Cobbler
- Expert Voice: Margo Van Staaveren, Director of Winemaking
Course 1: Start with Seasonal
Private Reserve Chardonnay paired with Silky Meyer Lemon Soup
A soup course sets the tone for the meal, and this one is worth getting right. Private Reserve Chardonnay opens with layered citrus, vanilla bean, and stone fruit. Its rich texture mirrors the velvety finish of a silky Meyer lemon soup, while its acidity provides the freshness that keeps a creamy opener from feeling heavy. It is an elegant, unfussy way to begin.
Course 2: A Taste of Tradition
Winery Exclusive Pinot Noir paired with Chicken Liver Pâté on Crostini
Chicken liver pâté on crostini is a classic appetizer that benefits from a wine with enough fruit and freshness to balance its richness without overpowering it. The Winery Exclusive Pinot Noir, with its supple body, red cherry character, and subtle spice, does exactly that. The wine lifts the pâté rather than competing with it.
Course 3: A Show-Stopping Main
Bancroft Ranch Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon paired with Stuffed Duck with Cherry Port Sauce
Bancroft Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from a single vineyard on Howell Mountain at 1,800 feet elevation, where volcanic soils and extended hang time produce a wine with deep concentration and genuine structure. Dark plum, cassis, and toasted oak notes make it a natural partner for roasted duck, and its character mirrors the cherry port sauce directly. This is the kind of pairing where every element on the plate has a counterpart in the glass.
Course 4: Save Room for Dessert
Celebration Cuvée paired with Black Cherry Cobbler
Lively bubbles and bright red fruit make Celebration Cuvée the right pour to close a Thanksgiving meal. The effervescence cuts through the sweetness of a warm black cherry cobbler, and the wine's fruit character echoes the filling. Available in magnum, it is built for a table with plenty of guests.
Margo Van Staaveren, Director of Winemaking, on the pairing:
"Our Celebration Cuvée is the perfect choice for Thanksgiving. Blended to be enjoyed by all, and offered in a magnum, it ensures there's plenty to share with the whole family. A Black Cherry Cobbler provides a sweet, fruit-forward finale that pairs beautifully with the wine."
Quick Reference
| Course | Dish | Wine |
|---|---|---|
| Soup | Silky Meyer Lemon Soup | Private Reserve Chardonnay |
| Appetizer | Chicken Liver Pâté on Crostini | Winery Exclusive Pinot Noir |
| Main | Stuffed Duck with Cherry Port Sauce | Bancroft Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Dessert | Black Cherry Cobbler | Celebration Cuvée |
Frequently Asked Questions
What wine pairs best with duck?
Duck pairs well with structured reds that have dark fruit and enough body to match the richness of the meat, particularly when the preparation includes a fruit-based sauce. Cabernet Sauvignon from Howell Mountain, like the Bancroft Ranch, works beautifully because its dark plum and cassis notes mirror cherry port and its structure holds up to the fat of the bird.
What wine pairs with chicken liver pâté?
Light-to-medium-bodied reds with fresh acidity and fruit character tend to pair best with chicken liver pâté. Pinot Noir is a reliable choice; its bright fruit and lower tannin level lift the richness of the pâté without overpowering it. Avoid very tannic wines, which can clash with the metallic edge of liver.
How do you pair wine with a rich soup course?
For a creamy soup, look for a white wine with enough body and richness to match the texture and enough acidity to cut through it. Private Reserve Chardonnay works well with citrus-forward soups in particular: its citrus and vanilla notes echo the soup's flavor profile, and its acidity keeps the pairing from feeling heavy.
Why serve sparkling wine with dessert?
Sparkling wine works well with dessert because its effervescence and acidity contrast the sweetness of the dish, preventing palate fatigue. The bubbles cut through rich fillings and keep each bite tasting fresh. Choose a sparkling wine with its own fruit character (red fruit notes pair well with berry-based desserts) for the most cohesive pairing.
SHOP PRIVATE RESERVE CHARDONNAY
Looking for more pairing inspiration? Our Holiday Pairings for Your Table covers four additional food and wine matches for the holiday season.
