As much as I love crisp, clean whites, there's always a time for

Gary Vaynerchuk, master of wines and words, once declared: “As much as I love crisp, clean whites, there’s always a time for rich but balanced Chardonnays with oak, especially at Thanksgiving.” Though it speaks of wine, this saying carries deeper wisdom. It is a meditation on seasons, on balance, and on the recognition that life calls for both simplicity and richness, lightness and depth. Just as the meal of Thanksgiving is not a simple affair but a banquet of many flavors, so too must our choices—of wine, of action, of life itself—match the moment with harmony.

The origin of these words rests in Vaynerchuk’s career as a wine critic and entrepreneur. Known for his passion and directness, he taught that wine is not about prestige but about experience—the way a flavor resonates with a meal, a season, or a gathering. His contrast between crisp whites and oaked Chardonnays reflects this philosophy. The bright and clean whites, refreshing and sharp, are excellent in their time. But when Thanksgiving arrives, with its heavy dishes of turkey, stuffing, and buttered vegetables, the richness of a well-balanced Chardonnay becomes fitting, its warmth and depth standing as a partner to the feast.

This idea is ancient, for wine has always been paired with ritual. In Greece, Dionysus was honored not for excess, but for the harmony of drink with fellowship. In Rome, wine was carefully chosen for feasts according to season and occasion, each cup meant to elevate the gathering. The wisdom of pairing was not merely culinary, but spiritual: to drink the wrong wine at the wrong time was to dishonor the moment. Vaynerchuk’s words echo this tradition—reminding us that timing, balance, and harmony matter as much in life as they do at the table.

The Chardonnay with oak itself is symbolic. Oak lends wine both strength and softness, deepening flavor while balancing it with restraint. It is richness without chaos, depth without heaviness. On Thanksgiving, when families gather not only to eat but to remember, to laugh, and sometimes to heal, such a wine embodies the spirit of the day: abundant, yet balanced; rich, yet never overwhelming. In this, the choice of wine becomes more than a matter of taste—it becomes a metaphor for the very way we ought to live.

History, too, reminds us of the importance of balance at moments of great gathering. When the Pilgrims first sat with the Wampanoag, the feast was not luxurious, but it was shared. The balance lay not in excess but in fellowship. Centuries later, as the holiday grew, the meal became more bountiful, and with it came the need to balance richness with restraint. In the same way, Vaynerchuk’s advice speaks beyond wine, teaching us that even amidst abundance, harmony must be sought.

The lesson is clear: honor the occasion with choices that reflect its spirit. Just as a crisp white may be perfect for a summer day, so a rich Chardonnay is fitting for Thanksgiving. In life, too, one must discern the season. There are times for lightness and times for depth, times for simplicity and times for abundance. Wisdom lies in knowing which to embrace, and when.

So, O listener, take this teaching as more than counsel about wine. Let it remind you to live in balance, to match your actions to the season, to honor each gathering with what is most fitting. When you pour your glass this Thanksgiving, whether it be white, red, or golden Chardonnay, let it not be chosen in haste but with reverence for the moment. For the feast is not only of food and drink, but of gratitude, fellowship, and love. And the true richness is not in the cup, but in the balance of life it represents.