Thanksgiving Dessert Wines

Nothing beats enjoying dessert wines in the cozy vibes of fall and winter. Those sweet and rich pairings really hit the spot when the days start getting chilly and dark. They’re a guilty pleasure that wraps up your Thanksgiving feast perfectly. Here are some tasty ideas to try!

Pumpkin Pie – This classic dessert is delicious all by itself, but it really shines when paired with a glass of Luigi Vico Moscato d’Asti. The wine's fruity aromas play off the pie's cozy spices perfectly, and those fun bubbles help balance out the creamy goodness. Plus, the sweetness of Moscato complements the pie and the whipped cream on top. For something more decadent, try it with Warre's Otima 10 Tawny Port, which has pleasant notes of candied nuts, dried fruits, and luscious caramel.

Pecan Pie – This dessert is sticky, nutty, and super sweet, making it a holiday favorite for forever. To match its sugary vibe, you’ll want a wine that’s just as intense, and that’s where the sweetest Madeira, called Malmsey, comes in. Blandy's Madeira 15 year Malmsey—it’s got that full-body and smooth feel, with a nice hit of brown sugar mixed in with caramel, walnuts, and mocha. The best part about this combo is how the wine’s acidity balances out the gooey sweetness of the pie, making the whole experience bright and delicious!

Apple Cobbler – Loaded with apples, a sprinkle of cinnamon, a dash of nutmeg, sugar, and butter, apple cobbler totally captures that cozy fall vibe. Team it up with Chateau Grillon Sauternes, and you'll go from chatting about dessert to belting out a ballad! Sauternes is a sweet and rich dessert wine from Bordeaux that’s totally packed with flavors like honey, peach, butterscotch, caramel pineapple, vanilla, and a hint of baking spices. The zesty spicy notes sprinkle a little cinnamon magic that pairs perfectly with a slice of apple pie.

Pumpkin Cheesecake - Finding the right wine to enjoy with pumpkin cheesecake is about more than just sweetness. A fun thing about these combos is how the spices in the cheesecake can really amp up some cool flavors in the wine. Take Gewürztraminer or aromatic white blends, for instance—the cinnamon and nutmeg in the cheesecake can make those spicy notes pop. Plus, dessert wines with Semillon like Sauternes have a nice acidity that cleanses your palate after each bite, so you don’t feel weighed down. And don’t forget dessert wines like Icewine or Tokaji; their rich sweetness pairs perfectly with the caramelized flavors in the cheesecake, making for a deliciously complementary experience.

Chocolate Chess Pie - You can’t have a dessert table without a bit of chocolate, right? If you’re treated to a luscious chocolate chess pie (or any super rich chocolate treat), pairing it with a ruby port like Fonseca 2016 Vintage Port is a solid choice. It’s rich, juicy, and bursting with those berry vibes that chocolate totally loves. But if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, why not try a passito-style red or dessert wine? Passito is all about drying grapes before fermentation, and let me tell you, Recioto della Valpolicella is a splurge-worthy awesome match for chocolate pie or cake. Those cherry flavors are just heavenly!