Welcome to the holiday season! Later this week we will hopefully be gathering with friends and loved ones, giving thanks, and feeling grateful to be together (hopefully vaccinated and safe.)

I love Thanksgiving. I love to cook the Thanksgiving meal, starting the day early to watch the parade with bubbles, then moving into a day-long prep of classic favorites, with a few twists (like spicy Thai sweet potato and butternut squash soup instead of traditional candied sweet potatoes and a fresh green bean and spring greens salad instead of a casserole.) But every year, the bird rules the feast, and with that, the perfect pairings for Thanksgiving usually include Pinot Noir. Here are a few tips to get you through the day, whether you are hosting a crowd, or toasting with two.

As I have said before, I love to start the day with bubbles. If you are budget conscious…