Ankeny Residents, Don't Forget the Wine with Thanksgiving Dinner

Picking out your favorite stuffing or pumpkin pie recipe is easy - choosing a wine to go with them? Not so much.

Kristen Geiger, an Ankeny resident and senior wine consultant for Wine Shop at Home, recently stepped up to help with this minor dinner dilemma.

Geiger said experts in the world of wine have lightened up a lot over the years.

"The thought is if you like the food you're eating and the wine you're drinking, you should be happy," she said.

While satisfaction is key, it's no secret certain wines paired with specific foods will enhance the flavors and aromas and heighten your overall dining experience this Thanksgiving

For those looking to maximize your sensory experience this Thanksgiving, here are Geiger's recommendations:

Turkey and Buttery Mashed Potatoes

Both foods pair wonderfully with a chardonnay, and the less oak tones the better. A nice sauvignon blanc would also enhance a lot of the dishes being served, Geiger said.

If you are more of a red wine fan, Geiger recommends a pinot noir or syrah.

Sweet Potatoes

Geiger recommends a sweeter riesling, adding this wine would pair well with most foods on the table at Thanksgiving - except the cranberries.

When it comes to cranberries, there aren't many wines that compliment the tart fruit, Geiger said. If she had to pick one, though, Geiger would choose a gewurztraminer or sparkling wine.

Stuffing

Geiger gets specific with this one.

"I would love a syrah with a sage corn bread stuffing," she said. "Something with smooth flavors and a very approachable tannin."

Pumpkin Pie

A medium to sweet riesling would work great here, Geiger said, adding a muscato would also draw out the flavors.

"If you are feeling a little more adventurous, you may want to go with a port - a sweet, typically red dessert wine," Geiger said.

Where to Go for Wine in Ankeny

• Wine Shop at Home: Geiger is a direct seller of handcrafted, artisan wines from a Napa Valley, Calif., winery. Geiger offers in-home or in-office wine tastings, and she encourages others to check out her website.

• , 2135 S.E. Delaware Ave.

• , 1002 S.E. National Dr.

• ,

• , 1802 N. Ankeny Blvd.

• , 113 S.E. Delaware Ave. Ste. 101