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Thanksgiving is a day to celebrate around the table with family, friends and (of course) a lot of food. From the traditional carved turkey and creamy mashed potatoes with gravy to stuffing, cranberries, buttered rolls and a slice of pie, there’s something on the menu for everyone. But with all of that rich comfort food, what should you be pouring alongside it? Drinks, too, are an essential part of the meal.
“Wine brings people together and is a joyous part of the celebration,” says Laura Koffer, advanced sommelier and VP of Wine at Wine Access.
Pairing a few bottles of wine with your favorite Thanksgiving foods doesn’t have to be tricky. There are plenty of options that will enhance the meal, whether you need something to pour with everything on the table or you’re looking for specific pairings that can stack up to vibrant cranberries or all of that wonderful butter.
“Food and wine are inseparable,” says Logan Griffin, certified sommelier and director of food and beverage at Blackberry Mountain. “They enhance the flavors, aromas, textures and overall enjoyment of a meal.”
To find the best bottles to pair with Thanksgiving foods, we asked industry experts and matched their suggestions with top-rated bottles we love.
Wines to Go With Everything
If you’re searching for a bottle or two that can stack up to anything on the table, Koffer says to think about versatile qualities including a medium body, moderate tannins and earthy flavors.
Acidity is also a crucial component. “Acidity is the lip-smacking character that makes your mouth salivate,” says Janeen Jason, certified sommelier at Atlanta-based wine shop VinoTeca. “A wine with balanced acidity will help wash away cream, cut the richness of stuffing and pair great with homemade cranberry sauce.”
Keep in mind that wines should also reflect the tastes of you and your guests. “If mom loves bubbles, make sure to have that on hand,” says Koffer. “If your family isn’t really into wine, don’t make them feel awkward as you parade out bottles of vintage Grand Cru Burgundy, save those for your wine friends.”
And it’s best to avoid bottles that have overly oaky flavors. “If a wine spent a long time aging in a wood barrel, there’s a chance those tannins could clash with most of the dishes typically seen for Thanksgiving,” Jason says.
White recommendation: Sauvignon Blanc
A nice Sauvignon Blanc is a balanced pairing for just about any food, and the same applies to a Thanksgiving meal.
“With a nice brace of acid and fruit forward notes, Sauvignon Blanc will complement just about everything around the table,” says Paul Durant, owner of Durant Vineyards.
Pascal Jolivet 2022 Les Griottes Sauvignon Blanc (Pouilly-Fumé)
This flavor-rich Pouilly Fumé shines. Tangerine, peach stone fruit, orange blossom, celery leaf and dried mango leap out of your glass on the nose. On the palate, ripe orchard fruit combines with a bale of nearly dried hay and provides the wine with a supportive herbal structure that is multifaceted. Drink now, but this wine can continue to improve with age. 95 points. — Reggie Solomon
$60 Saratoga WneRed recommendation: Pinot Noir
“Pinot Noir is a thin-skinned red grape that creates a wine with moderate tannins and higher levels of acid,” says Jason. With those qualities, she adds that it’s the perfect catch-all red wine that can pair with lighter fare while also being able to stand up to hearty flavors in the meal.
“I would tend towards a richer, more robust style of Pinot Noir with long tannins and dark fruit notes such as cherry and blueberry,” says Durant.
Domaine de la Cote 2022 Memorius Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills)
These provocatively herbal bottlings grow more appealing with each sip. This edition begins with singed sagebrush, wild raspberry, green peppercorn and wave-washed seashore on the nose. The palate recalls a frosty walk through a pine forest, full of bay leaf and menthol elements that elevate the crunchy cranberry, mulberry and peppery flavors. 97 points. — Matt Kettmann
$95 San Francisco Wine Trading Co.Sparkling recommendation: Blanc de Blancs
Any sparkling wine, no matter where it’s from, provides the ideal pairing for a Thanksgiving meal.
“For a wine to go well with everything on the table, it needs to be able to blend in, not overwhelm or take over,” notes Griffin. A Chardonnay-forward Blanc de Blancs is versatile with its own distinctive traits but can still stand up to flavors and aromas in a variety of foods.
Domaine Carneros 2016 Le Rêve Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay (Carneros)
With a beautiful balance of richness, firm acidity and poise, this 100% estate-grown sparkling Chardonnay offers flavors of crisp apple, ginger, crème brûlée and pleasing stony minerality. An impressively long finish and vibrant acidity keep the palate refreshed for the next sip. 96 points. — Elaine Chukan Brown
$125 Domaine CarnerosRosé recommendation: Pinot Noir Rosé
Pair something vibrant with all of the food on the table, without the flavor taking over. Jason notes that Pinot Noir rosé, especially a bottle from Oregon, is sure to deliver.
Sokol Blosser 2023 Pinot Noir Rosé (Dundee Hills)
This rosé marks the debut of the winery’s nutrition and ingredient labeling program. So, I know that in addition to aromas and flavors of strawberries, Cara Cara navel oranges and lemon verbena, there are 117 calories and 3.5 grams of carbs in every five-ounce serving. 92 Points. — Michael Alberty
$18 Applejack Wine & SpiritsNA recommendation: NA Cava
Griffin says Spain is producing some excellent NA Cavas that are worthy of a holiday meal. Bubbles can cut through anything, and this is a great option for those around the table who aren’t drinking Champagne or sparkling wines with alcohol.
Wines Made for Turkey
According to the experts we interviewed, the ideal match for turkey is something juicy with a medium body. It should meet the bird’s rich texture while balancing its earthy flavors.
White recommendation: Chardonnay
Traditional roast turkey is a rich meat. To match that richness, Koffer suggests choosing a buttery Chardonnay with a medium body, a bit of oak and a touch of earthy herbal notes.
Buttercup 2022 Chardonnay (California)
This wine is bright, lush with aromas of green papaya, apricot, apple, citrus blossom and cinnamon on the nose. Flavors of baked apple and pineapple are interwoven with orange-vanilla cream, mineral and a juicy, dry finish. Pair with grilled mahi mahi, tropical fruit salad and parsley. 92 points. — Tonya Pitts
$10 Total WineRed recommendation: GSM Blend
A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre is sure to bring richness and depth to pair with turkey. Durant suggests choosing an option that is heavier on Grenache and Mourvèdre and lighter on Syrah. “Try it with dark meat that has a nice slather of gravy on it. The richness and depth of the GSM will enhance the interplay of the turkey and gravy,” he says.
Sycamore Ranch 2022 G-S-M (Central Coast)
This is a stunning wine from a brand that’s based in the Southern California mountains, far from any actual vines. This equal-parts GSM blend from Alta Colina and Tierra Alta vineyards offers dark berry, sagebrush, smooth cocoa and chiseled rock on the nose. The palate ticks all the ripe Rhône boxes: dark fruit, cracked pepper, suave tannins, ample acidity and a lingering baking spice finish. 94 points. — M.K.
$55 Sycamore RanchSparkling recommendation: Xarel-lo Cava
Grab a bottle of bubbles from Spain to stand up to your Thanksgiving bird. Jason notes that Cava offers notes of savory orchard fruit, especially if Xarel-lo is the dominant grape. The sparkling wine’s white pepper quality is unique and brings a slight savory tone for roast turkey.
Vins El Cep 2018 Gelida Gran Reserva Brut Sparkling (Cava)
This Cava is almost clear to the eye, has a diffuse column of bubbles and a nose of Gala apple and jasmine. It feels full in the mouth with bold effervescence on the palate. Brioche, lemon zest, green apple and toasted-nut flavors evaporate into a soft vanilla and citrus-blossom finish. 94 points. — Mike DeSimone
$20 Wine.comNA recommendation: Apple Cider
Apple cider makes for an excellent brine for turkey, but it’s also the ideal non-alcoholic drink pairing. The drink’s freshly pressed orchard fruit flavors offer a rustic touch for the table.
Wines That Can Stand Up to Cranberries
Whether you’re enjoying fresh or canned cranberry sauce, finding a bottle to stack up to the fruit’s vibrant flavor is important. “The acidity of the dish needs to be matched in the wine or they both will fall flat,” says Koffer.
White recommendation: Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio offers crisp acidity and a light body. “Pinot Grigio’s naturally high acidity complements the tartness of cranberries, creating a refreshing and balanced palate that prevents either the dish or the wine from feeling too sharp or sour,” Koffer says.
Cantina Terlano 2022 Tradition Pinot Grigio Pinot Grigio (Alto Adige)
Ripe green apple, Bosc pear, and citrus blossom aromas define the nose of this instant classic. On the palate, it presents a harmonious blend of citrus and stone fruit flavors, balanced by a crisp acidity and a clean, refreshing finish, as if staring out onto the the Alpine landscape from which this wine comes. 91 points. — Jeff Porter
$19 International Wine ShopRed recommendation: Langhe Nebbiolo
Choose a red with light fruity notes and tannins that aren’t overwhelming. Durant says that while Nebbiolo is known for firm tannins, Langhe Nebbiolo often shows a softer tannic profile. That profile provides just the right amount of structure.
“The wine's bright red fruit flavor and elegant structure make it great for cranberry dishes,” he adds. “The wine’s notes of cranberry, cherry and raspberry harmonize beautifully with the cranberry's natural flavor, creating a complementary and cohesive flavor experience.”
Enrico Serafino 2021 Picotener Nebbiolo (Langhe)
This wine displays forward aromas of ripe raspberry and rose, with a touch of potting soil. Well-structured tannins and a vibrant acidity lift the palate as the crunchy red fruits keep the wine lively and energetic. 92 points. — J.P.
$28 Martin'sSparkling recommendation: Crémant de Loire
Jason suggests choosing a bottle of bubbles that presents ripe fruits and moderate tannins. This will help stand up to the crunchy tannins from the skin of the punchy cranberries.
“Cabernet Franc is the dominant grape,” she says. “It shows a richer character in the red fruit than lighter grapes like Gamay or Pinot Noir.”
Langlois NV Brut Rosè Sparkling (Crémant de Loire)
This rosé crémant is lively and vibrant. The wine has a fresh nose of red apple, pencil shavings and dried white flower blossom. Additional flavors of pear, red cherry, red raspberry and lemon peel emerge on the palate that has a vibrant, fun and layered acidity. 90 points. — R.S.
$32 Wine.comNA recommendation: Sparkling Apple Juice
There’s a reason you see big displays of sparkling apple juice around the holiday season. The fruity juice can stand up to a number of different foods while adding a light effervescence.
Wines to Cut Through All That Butter
A key ingredient to providing flavor and creamy texture to many Thanksgiving dishes is butter. Pair a bottle with bright acidity that can stand up to all that richness. That way, all of the flavors of the meal can come through harmoniously.
White recommendation: Chablis
Pair buttery stuffing with a beautiful bottle of Chablis with bright acidity. “Acidity in wine has an amazing ability to refresh and reset the palate, particularly if your palate is coated from rich foods,” says Koffer.
Joseph Drouhin 2022 Les Clos Grand Cru (Chablis)
Concentrated with rich aromas of ripe Meyer lemon, Asian pear, jasmine, and warm stone, this wine is round and generous on the palate. Notes of citrus pith, white peach, and green pear broaden in the midpalate, delivering a wave of stone and mineral salinity. With ample texture and body, it captivates the senses. 93 points. — Anna-Christina Cabrales
$110 Plum MarketRed recommendation: Beaujolais
If you gravitate towards reds with acidity, Durant suggests reaching for a bottle with bright fruit notes with raspberry, cranberry and red currant like the Gamay-based wines of Beaujolais. “The elevated acidity will help cut through the butter and cleanse your palate as you reach for a second helping of mashed potatoes,” he says.
Dominique Piron 2022 Côte du Py (Morgon)
Sparkling recommendation: Champagne
Ready for a bottle of bubbly? Koffer suggests bringing Champagne to the table to help cut through the fat. Plus, its acidity makes it a versatile pairing for just about everything else on the table.
Philipponnat 2015 Clos des Goisses Extra Brut (Champagne)
This iconic single vineyard Champagne comes from a steep slope facing south over the Marne river. This new release, still young but full of magnificent potential, is rich with a floral aroma and dense white fruits, striated with minerality. Drink this Champagne ideally from 2026. 99 points. — R.V.
$299 Vins RareNA recommendation: Sweet Tea
Make a batch or buy a jug of sweet tea for your holiday meal. Griffin says the tannins from the tea will help to cut through anything on the table.
The Best Pairings for Pies
Thanksgiving often means a slice of classic pumpkin, apple or pecan pie to round out the meal. Koffer suggests pairing your pie with a dessert wine made from white grapes. The key is to balance the dessert’s sweetness with the chosen wine.
Sweet Sparkling recommendation: Moscato d’Asti
Pair your slice of pie and a bottle of something with plenty of fruit, like Moscato d’Asti. This sweet wine has a blend of citrus, orchard and tropical fruits and a slight effervescence. “The refreshing acidity is great after the long savory meal,” says Koffer.
Saracco 2023 Moscato (Moscato d'Asti)
Aromas of white peach, magnolia, sage and wild mint waft from the glass of this Moscato d’Asti. The palate is a study in balance, as the sweetness bends to the crisp acidity on the finish. 94 points. — J.P.
$15 Vine RepublicCognac recommendation: VSOP Cognac
Choose a sipper that complements baking spices found in desserts, like cinnamon, clove and nutmeg. Griffin says the VSOP Cognac category is aged in oak barrels for at least four years. That brings forward those spice aromas to pair with a bite of apple, pumpkin or pecan pie.
Cognac Frapin VSOP
Initial caramel and oak aromas open to a more red-apple scent. The brisk palate shows some vanilla, but it’s light, underscored by another red-apple note. Vanilla treads lightly on top. A quick baking-spice finish suggests nutmeg, cinnamon and clove. There’s also apple butter, with a vanilla-cream exhale. 92 points. — Kara Newman
$54 Total WineFortified Wine recommendation: Cream Sherry
Jason says cream sherry is a blend of dry, nutty Oloroso-style sherry and sweet, luscious Pedro Ximenez. Their notes of salted caramel, dried fruits and molasses are the ideal match for seasonal spiced pies with buttery crusts.
Mata NV Cream Sherry (Jerez)
This wine bathes in dried-fruit aromas including fig, black cherry and plum followed by orange marmalade, hazelnut and honey. On the palate the sweet Cream Sherry delivers additional flavors of toasted almond. Serve with a cheese plate that includes blue cheese and/or gorgonzola. 91 points. — R.S.
$16 Wine.comLate Harvest recommendation: Riesling
An especially great pairing for apple pie, late-harvest Riesling is Durant’s go-to choice for the dessert course. Apple pie tends to be a bit more on the tart side with a hint of sugar and more subtle spices compared to pumpkin or pecan pie. Those qualities lend themselves well to a touch more sweetness from this easy-sipping white.
Joh. Jos. Prüm 2022 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese Riesling (Mosel)
This is not so obvious at this stage, but what a beauty! Suave and seamless with beautiful integration of acidity and fruit, texture and mineral, spice and floral notes. So pure and graceful, the apricot, citrus and pineapple flavors melt in the mouth, with its richness offset by vibrant structure. It ends with a tangy, mineral note. A wine you could enjoy now, but this will give much more to those who are patient. Best after 2032. 95 points. — Aleks Zecevic
$50 Redneck Wine CompanyMore Thanksgiving Coverage
- Thanksgiving wines under $20 that won’t bust your budget.
- Read our guide to pairing wines with Thanksgiving sides.
- Hold the turkey—these cocktails take inspo from Thanksgiving sides.
- Love pecan pie? It’s even better with bourbon.
- When Thanksgiving gives you leftovers, make turkey tacos.
- The original Thanksgiving drink is none other than hard cider.
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Published: November 15, 2024