Thanksgiving calls for a particular kind of wine. Not necessarily the biggest bottle on the table or the one that demands the most attention. The best Thanksgiving wine is the one that belongs in the middle of everything: poured while dinner is still being finished, enjoyed throughout the meal and just as welcome when everyone is lingering over another helping.
Beronia Reserva from Rioja is exactly that kind of wine.
Why Rioja Works at Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a notoriously tricky meal to pair with wine because there is never just one dish. Turkey and gravy share the table with herb-filled stuffing, buttery potatoes, roasted vegetables, cranberry sauce and all the family favourites that return year after year. Instead of trying to find a different wine for every dish, Rioja Reserva offers something much more useful: versatility.
Beronia Reserva is a Tempranillo-led blend with Graciano and Mazuelo, bringing together dark fruit, spice and savoury character with enough freshness to carry through a long meal. That combination gives it plenty of natural partners across the Thanksgiving table.
What to Pair with Beronia Reserva
Seasoned Oven Roast Turkey Inspired by Keys Cafe
The savoury character of the wine complements roasted meat and rich gravy without overpowering the turkey.
Sage & Onion Stuffing Inspired by Mason's Restaurant
Fragrant herbs bring out the wine's spice and savoury notes.
Maple-roasted Parsnips & Carrots Inspired by The Emporium: An American Brasserie
Caramelization and a touch of sweetness work beautifully with the wine's ripe dark fruit.
Fresh Cranberry Sauce Inspired by Avenue N Providence
Its bright tartness provides a fresh contrast to the fruit and spice in the wine.
Duck Fat, Josper Roasted Potatoes Inspired by Lulu Bar & Restaurant
Herbs and crispy roasted edges echo the savoury, oak-aged character of the Reserva.
Made for the Table, Made With Time
Part of what gives Beronia Reserva its Thanksgiving-friendly character comes down to how it is made. The wine spends 18 months ageing in mixed French and American oak barrels, followed by another 18 months resting in bottle before release. That time takes the wine beyond fresh fruit, developing layers of spice, cacao, roasted nuts and savoury character while allowing its tannins to soften.
Those flavours have a lot in common with the Thanksgiving table itself. Think rosemary and thyme, mushrooms, toasted nuts, browned butter, caramelized root vegetables and all those deeply savoury, crispy edges from the roasting pan. It is a great example of how the way a wine is made can help explain why it works so naturally with certain foods.
Made for Gathering
Beronia was founded in Rioja in 1973 by a group of friends who shared a love of food, wine and gathering around the table. More than 50 years later, that convivial spirit still feels particularly fitting for a holiday centred around sharing a meal.
Beronia Reserva has enough complexity for the wine lover to stop and appreciate what is in the glass, but it is approachable enough that no knowledge of Rioja is required to enjoy it. Better yet, it can be opened with the appetizers, poured with the turkey and enjoyed right through the meal.
Because the best Thanksgiving wines do more than pair with dinner. They become part of the gathering.
