Each month, our resident wine expert, Vicky Hampton, shares seasonal wine recommendations for both budget-conscious buyers and those willing to spend a bit more. With Thanksgiving becoming increasingly celebrated in the Netherlands, this edition focuses on ideal wines to pair with a traditional Thanksgiving meal. The same wine-pairing principles also apply to Christmas dinners featuring turkey.
Vicky’s first Thanksgiving experience was in 2012, diving headfirst into the holiday. Her then-boyfriend, who had moved to Amsterdam from Louisiana six months earlier, was spending his first Thanksgiving away from the US. Determined to make him feel at home, she ordered a turkey from the butcher, researched side dishes, and learned about American traditions.
“I discovered bizarre traditions aplenty, some of which I adopted (an American casserole is nothing like a European casserole, but it can be perfectly delightful), and some of which I didn’t (any potato dish involving a topping of marshmallows is just plain wrong).”
Over the past thirteen years, her familiarity with Thanksgiving has grown, especially as she has been invited by her in-laws to celebrate the holiday in the United States multiple times.
Vicky blends personal experience with practical advice to help readers select wines that elevate their Thanksgiving feast, making it a memorable occasion whether in the Netherlands, the US, or elsewhere.
Author’s summary: Vicky Hampton combines her personal Thanksgiving experiences and wine expertise to recommend perfect wines that complement traditional turkey dinners for celebrations in the Netherlands and beyond.