Staff Picks

Jason MacPhee

Wine Category Manager

Thanksgiving Pairings

Butternut Squash Soup

Nieto Senetiner is a renowned winery located in the heart of Mendoza, celebrated for its commitment to crafting exceptional wines that reflect the unique terroir of the region. Established in 1888, the winery combines traditional winemaking techniques with modern innovation, producing a range of wines. Paying homage to the winery’s founder, Don Nicanor Senetiner. This elegant Malbec showcases deep, dark fruit flavors of blackberry and plum, complemented by notes of chocolate and subtle spice. Pair this malbec with butternut squash soup. The rich, creamy texture and sweet, nutty flavors of the soup complement the dark fruity notes of the Malbec. Additionally, the wine’s subtle spice and acidity can enhance the dish’s natural sweetness. This combo will get you warmed up for the main event

Kathryn Harding

Director of Customer Experience, Sommelier

Five Ingredient Recipe Pairings

Grilled Dinner

Even though it is September I am not ready to give up my summer meals. Our go to is everything on the BBQ so there are no dishes!

• Open the Clacson Rose and turn on the grill. 
• Sprinkle the chicken thighs with paprika or a BBQ rub.
• Pour a little olive oil, salt and pepper over the following;
• Portobello mushrooms (stems removed)
• Bell peppers cut in half and deseeded
• Halloumi cut in slices.
• Add the chicken and veggies to the grill. Then put the haloumi on for the last 10 mins. 

Easy peasy fresh summer/September dinner pairs perfect with Rose and sunsets on the deck!

Alanna McIntyre

Product Specialist, Sommelier

Thanksgiving Pairings

Gaby McCotter

Retail Manager

Thanksgiving Pairings

Thanksgiving prep is in full swing, and this rose is the perfect companion. Grateful for the little moments of peace amidst the hustle. Here’s to a day filled with love, laughter, and delicious food! I’ll be enjoying all the classics at Thanksgiving dinner, but a little rose while I’m prepping is just perfect. I might be nibbling on a few things while I taste test the mains, perhaps just trying to make sure all the seasonings are perfect…Rose is a wine that strikes a balance between the acidity of white wine and the fruitiness of red, making it incredibly versatile for a wide range of dishes. Thanksgiving menus are often diverse, with flavours ranging from savory turkey and stuffing to sweet cranberry sauce and rich, buttery mashed potatoes. Rose pairs well with this variety because it’s light enough for delicate dishes but has enough structure to stand up to richer foods

Ryan Almeida

eCommerce Manager

Thanksgiving Pairings

Sage & Sausage Stuffing

I have a few go-tos when it come to Thanksgiving but one that I absolutely love making due to its low effort-high reward quality would be Sage and Sausage Stuffing. The combination of your favourite local sandwich bread, sausage, and some frozen turkey stock from your local butcher makes this the perfect crowd pleaser- it even works on its own!

I pair this (and the rest of the spread) with something light, fruity, and super-easy drinking: Lapierre Raisin Gaulois. Beaujolais is an obvious choice for me always but especially around the holidays as its extremely food friendly and goes down easy, even if you’ve eaten too much.

Kate Fraser

Retail Supervisor, Spirits Specialist

Thanksgiving Pairings

Cranberry Sauce

If you haven’t had this wine by now, you’ve been missing out. This is my absolute favorite red that we’ve brought in this year. Ripe cherry and strawberry with a soft, round palate and perfectly balanced acidity make this wine the obvious choice to pair with your thanksgiving dinner. I’ve paired this with your classic cranberry sauce, but honestly, you could just use this wine in place of the cranberry sauce and take a swig to wash down either ham, turkey or any vegetable based dish.

Stefan Nielsen

Retail Supervisor, Sommelier

Thanksgiving Pairings

Gravy

We’re keeping it really simple this month, folks. You’re asking me what wine you should pair with your Thanksgiving Dinner, you’re saying you’ve got the traditional spread: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, roasted veg, all of which is smothered in delicious gravy. 

I’m telling you that you NEED to try this delicious, inexpensive Pinot Noir this Thanksgiving. It’s silky smooth, fresh & fruity, and versatile enough to perfectly complement anything and everything on your table. They say good Pinot isn’t cheap, and cheap Pinot isn’t good but this wine begs to differ.

I’m just a boy, standing in front of a computer screen while I compose wine recommendations, asking you to love this Pinot Noir.

Matt Hodgson

Retail Supervisor

Thanksgiving Pairings

Brussel Sprouts & Bacon

Back when I worked in kitchens, I kept my recipes short and sweet. So, here’s a quick, no-frills version (apologies in advance):

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Roast halved sprouts until golden, 25-30 minutes.
2. Pour a glass of Tilman’s Die Dunkle, reserve a few splashes for later. 
3. Render the fat from double-smoked bacon and strain out the bacon pieces.
4. Sweat onion and garlic in the bacon fat, then deglaze the pan with that reserved  beer.
5. Toss in the roasted Brussels sprouts and bacon.
6. Finish with a $#!+ ton of PEI’s finest: Avonlea Clothbound Cheddar.

Why does this pairing work so well?

The caramelized bacon and roasted Brussels sprouts pair perfectly with the rich, toasty malt notes of Dunkle beer, creating a symphony of savory flavors.

Genny

Customer Service Sales Associate, Sommelier

Thanksgiving Pairings

Basque Cheesecake

At the tail end of summer, I had the pleasure of dining at The Black Spruce, which is Annapolis Valley Chef Jason Lynch’s restaurant in Gros Morne, Newfoundland. The dessert pairing stood out and I still dream about trying to recreate it for a special occasion. Basque cheesecake has a fluffier, moussier center than regular cheesecake, but features a browned,  deeply caramelized top. Imagine the richness of texture balanced by the toasty flavors of the almost burnt top, cut with a brightly spiced blueberry coulis. You with me yet? Then, imagine the complementary nutty, dried apricot and fig, and toffee flavours of Taylor Fladgate 10 YO Tawny Port. All these warm flavours will punctuate your Thanksgiving meal perfectly.   

Fernando

Customer Service Sales Associate

Thanksgiving Pairings

Red Wine Reduction Sauce

If your turkey is coming out juicy and flavourful, then this recipe is optional. However, if you’re like the millions of Canadians that suffer from dry poultry, please continue reading. In a pot: shallots, bay leaf, thyme, red wine, red wine vinegar, and port. Marinate overnight, reduce by half, add chicken stock, reduce again, strain, add butter and whisk. We don’t measure here, but double whatever amount of butter you were going to use. Pair with the Argileuses. If all goes well you might be asked to make future dinners. Home cooks beware.

Daniela

Customer Service Sales Associate

Thanksgiving Pairings

Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

Thanksgiving can be a tricky holiday when it comes to food + wine pairing- there’s so many different sides to eat with turkey, but one that is never missing from the table is mashed potatoes, with lots of cheese in my case! If you’re looking for a great wine to enjoy this holiday that would be the perfect complement to your turkey dinner, choose Bouchon Canto Sur, a blend of Pais, Carignan and Carmenere- delivering delicious notes of cranberries, herbs and a slight pepperiness, this wine will make you the star of the Thanksgiving party!

Allie Barter

Customer Service Sales Associate

Thanksgiving Pairings

Costco’s Pumpkin Pie

In my family, Thanksgiving always tends to be a chaotic family meal. In an attempt to limit my share to the craziness I like to bring a Costco Pumpkin Pie, so that I can never get blamed for ruining the dessert. I will be pairing a massive slice of the pie with a tall glass of Blomidon Cremant. The crisp flavor of apples and smooth bubble texture is a perfect complement to the best bang for your buck dessert available during the holidays. Try out this Thanksgiving combo with your family and watch as everyone slips into a food coma.

David

Customer Service Sales Associate

Thanksgiving Pairings

Flan Napolitano

What I’m looking forward to this Thanksgiving is a slice of Flan Napolitano. This traditional Mexican dessert combines cream cheese, eggs, and condensed milk with a dash of vanilla, creating a rich, creamy sweetness tempered by a base of caramelized sugar. I’ll be pairing this sumptuous custard with a glass of Pisco Tres Erres. A classic Chilean spirit, this sweet and nutty brandy offers complementary notes of caramel and vanilla, with additional florals and fruits. Salud!

Sam

Customer Service Sales Associate

Thanksgiving Pairings

Acorn Squash Soup

It is SOUP SEASON. My family does Thanksgiving as a late lunch so when we all get hungry and start wandering into the kitchen at noon, my mom has a pot of acorn squash soup on the stove to get us out of her hair while she cooks. Slightly milder than a butternut squash but packed full of more fibre, nutty, creamy, and with a little added kick cause I love a good spicy soup. I’m pairing it with the petit manseng from Le Botaniste; fresh, tropical, and a herbaceous supporting quality. Aged on lees for a bit which gives the wine a round and smooth texture to perfectly complement this bad boy.

Tianjun

Thanksgiving Pairings

Roasted Duck

Don’t have enough people to finish a whole turkey this Thanksgiving, why not try another kind of bird? 

Duck tends to take on the flavor of the sauce or spice much like chicken does, but it shows off more of its inherent aroma when caramelized or braised. A roasted duck tends to bring out deeper flavors, which is why Barolo works thanks to moderate tannins and pleasing fruity and herbal notes. Although this red wine has stronger tannins, it has high enough acidity to balance out the fattiness in the dish. Barolo also reveals a subtle earthiness that works well with roasted duck.

Ireland McDonald

Customer Service Sales Associate

Thanksgiving Pairings

Tofurky Roast

Thanksgiving at my house consists of all the usual festivities: a big family dinner, lots of delicious food, desserts and wine! Except the one thing we do differently is enjoy this holiday with a vegan twist. My mom has been making a tofu turkey for years now and trust me, don’t knock it until you try it! To accompany this dish, I will be bringing Brochet Reserve Pinot Noir! This french pinot brings a burst of cherry, raspberry, baking spices and a smooth silky texture perfect for elevating the flavors on your plate. Enjoy your family time with a reasonably priced, high quality wine, perfect for your thanksgiving table!

Erica Priolo

Customer Service Sales Associate

Thanksgiving Pairings

Stuffing

For turkey dinner, many of us look forward to a spectacular gooey flavourful stuffing. Some recipes call for white wine, why not stick close to home and add a splash of Nova Scotia’s very own Tidal Bay? If you’re not familiar, Tidal Bay typically carries mostly l’acadie blanc in its blend along with a medley of locally sourced grapes. It is made with a refreshing acidity to compliment our local foods. Planters Ridge’s approach is vibrant and slightly drier than others, making it a harmonious wine for turkey dinner stuffing.

Michael Kamras

Customer Service Sales Associate

Thanksgiving Pairings

Turkey

Hooo boy, here we go… the marathon of dinner; the star of the show; the turkey. We want to start with a thawed, unseasoned turkey, so make sure to take it out in time to thaw it completely! Make a herbed butter by mixing fresh herbs (sage, rosemary, thyme, parsley) garlic, kosher salt, pepper, and butter, then lather up the whole turkey with the butter. Make sure you get under the skin and in the cavity as well! Put a layer of chicken stock, carrots, celery, onions, and garlic on the bottom of the tray; we’ll use that to baste. Roast the bird at 450 for 20 mins, then turn it down to 325 for the rest of the cook. Baste every 20 mins, and cover the top of the tray with foil once the skin starts to brown. Lastly make sure you let the bird rest for 20-30 mins before you serve it! 

These tips will make sure you have the juiciest turkey that’ll put everyone in that oh so special food coma.

Maida

Customer Service Sales Associate

Thanksgiving Pairings

Honey Glazed Ham

I’ve never been one to celebrate Thanksgiving but I’ll take any excuse to eat honey glazed ham. This salty, slightly sweetened ham needs a wine with alittle zest and sweetness and what better wine than the Grand Pre off dry Riesling. Not only is it local, it is the perfect balance of fruitiness, zippy acidity and sweetness to match the umph of the ham. So support local and grab a great bottle of this well balanced Riesling for you thanksgiving meal today 🙂