With Thanksgiving coming up, you're probably thinking about what wines go with that turkey. But there's also a sweet world of wines that pair wonderfully with classic pumpkin pie, or these spins on the iconic holiday dessert ingredient.
Easy Turtle Pumpkin Pie
With all that caramel and pecans, try a really nice Madeira. And not the cooking stuff you find on the bottom shelf of the grocery store. Look for one made from the Malmsey grape. It's a nut-loving sweet wine that has a surprisingly refreshing finish, so you can continue eating more pie! Madeira has a fascinating history and surprising versatility, too. Learn more about Madeira.
Gingersnap Pumpkin Icebox Cake
A classic dessert and sweet wine pairing is crisp biscotti and Vin Santo from Tuscany. And since this cake is loaded with gingersnaps, give this traditional cookie and wine pairing a fun, decadent spin. I'd also recommend Vinsanto from the Greek Island of Santorini. What's the difference between the two?
Pumpkin Cheesecake With Caramel Sauce
Since we're in a chocolate-free zone, go for a late harvest white wine. Whatever it's made from (Riesling is popular), the grapes get extra sweetness from hanging on the vines for a very long time. The resulting wine will have golden color, significant richness, and a lingering finish that will be lovely with the caramel.
One of the bonuses of sweet wines is that they stay good in the bottle a lot longer than dry wines. So while leftover dessert may not last more than a day, you'll be able to enjoy dessert wine throughout the season.
Jameson Fink has been working in the wine industry and blogging about wine since 2004. Saveur Magazine nominated his site, jamesonfink.com, for a 2013 Best Food Blog Award in the Wine/Beer Category. He is a tireless advocate for year-round rosé consumption and enjoys a glass of Champagne alongside a bowl of popcorn.
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