There's no better part of the Thanksgiving meal than the dessert that follows. Did you know you could make dessert even better with the perfect wine pairing?

Many people are intimidated by the idea of pairing a wine with dessert, with thoughts of choosing the wrong combination dancing through their minds. When paired with the right food, a sweet wine can be a delicious treat. As a general rule, the wine should be as sweet - if not sweeter - than the treat you're eating! Here are some of our favorite wine and snack pairings for the holiday season:

 

Pumpkin Pie paired with Ambré or Sherry. Pumpkin pie is one of the most traditional desserts of the holiday season. While each recipe varies, pumpkin pie tends to be one of the more savory holiday desserts. As such, it pairs best with a medium-sweet wine that has herbal or nutty background flavors. Wines that have been exposed to more oxygen have a savory flavor to them, making them the perfect pairing to pumpkin pie. Grapes grown in the Roussillon area of Southern France or a Sherry from Spain have an earthiness to them that complements the rich, nutmegy-goodness in a pumpkin pie.

Apple Pie and Rich Whites or Ports. If you're a white wine person, anything made with white grapes will work with an apple pie that's on the sweeter, tarter side. Try a Grenache Blanc! On the other hand, an apple pie that is more spiced should be paired with a boldly-aged Port, which is made with red grapes. If you can find the rare white Port, you're in for a treat. The spicy toffee notes featured in this variety make for the ultimate coupling. 

Pecan Pie and Madeira. The rich, sugary brown sugar married with molasses and dark honey featured in a pecan pie are the perfect match to a Madeira. This Portuguese wine is fortified like a Port but exposed to heat and oxygen to give it a rich, burnt taste. Most are acidic, but if you opt for one made from Bual or Malmsey (a fortified Madeira of the sweetest variety), you'll find a sweetness that's ideal for drinking with pecan pie.

When you pair the right sweet wine with your dessert, both items seem less sugary to your palette, allowing each unique flavor profile to shine through. Keep your palate fresh for seconds or thirds this holiday season with these appropriate pairings.

Stop by Tiffany's Bakery for all of your pies this holiday season! Check out all of our baked goods here.