Turkey may be your star Thanksgiving feast / banquet But a curated lineup of the best Thanksgiving wines? This is your support team. Because your feast is an abundance of flavours–herb-spiced stuffing, buttery mashed potatoes, slabs of pumpkin pieThe wine pairing possibilities are practically endless.
To help narrow things down, sommeliers and other wine experts shared the reds, whites, and bubbles that arrive at their tables on Thanksgiving Day. These bottles are versatile enough to carry around during courses, though some pair particularly well with certain dishes. Whether you’re giving gifts or hosting, here are nine Thanksgiving wines that really shine.
Saint Chaman Champagne Courtesy image
1. Saint Chamans Champagne
Hosting rule #1: Start a special meal with bubbles. “They pair well with toast and pairings along with appetizers,” says Rebecca Carey, regional director of food and beverage at the Lower Group’s Washington, D.C., property. Riggs Washington, DC And the Lyle Washington Dc Since Thanksgiving is such a special meal, Carrie recommends splurging a little with Saint-Chamant Champagne. “This is my favorite winter champagne, with delicious almond notes,” she says. “It’s warm yet refreshing.” If you’re throwing a big feast and are looking for a budget-friendly alternative to champagne, cava is fine, too.
[$53.50; vivino.com]
Terres d’Orées Lanciennes Beaujolais Villages Courtesy image
2. The villages of Terres Dorées L’Ancien Beaujolais
Just south of Burgundy, there’s a little place called Beaujolais that churns out a light, affordable red wine that comes from the thin-skinned Gama Noir grape, which has a playfully bubbling aroma thanks to the carbonic maceration process. Nouveau Beaujolais is especially popular around Thanksgiving, mostly because that’s when it’s released. But Terres Dorées L’Ancien Beaujolais drinks are closer to Cru Beaujolais (a more complex, texture) than they do to nouveau Beaujolais (affordable harvest wine), notes Dylan Melvin, sommelier for Foxtrot Market In Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Dallas. “If you’re a fan of cranberry sauce or a sweet potato fan, this is a great wine to enhance those flavors,” he says. Tasting notes include fresh raspberry, strawberry, leather, and black pepper.
[$22.99; wine.com]
Lyoko Sonoma County Chardonnay Courtesy image
3. LIOCO Sonoma County Chardonnay
For a wine that pairs perfectly with side dishes and fried turkey, go with a LIOCO Sonoma County Chardonnay, Melvin suggests. This wine is not your typical glamorous chard. It’s balanced with a fresh acidity, which makes it exceptionally food-friendly. You might get notes of savory golden apple and roasted oak—the perfect sip for stuffing.
[$25.49; totalwine.com]
Ron Rubin’s River Valley Russian Pinot Noir 2018 Courtesy image
4. Ron Rubin Rossi River Valley Pinot Noir 2018
Dry and medium-bodied with plenty of fresh cherries and strawberries, this Pinot Noir is silky on the palate and can stand up to some of the richer dishes on the Thanksgiving table, according to Stephanie Schwartz, sommelier at shy crown in New York City. It’s also a good match for more complex dishes like cranberry chutney and green bean casserole.
[$25; ronrubinwinery.com]
Gamble Family Sauvignon Blanc Courtesy image
5. Gamble Family Sauvignon Blanc
Sauv blanc is crisp, fresh and citrusy, the opposite of the creamy quality of mac n’ cheese and buttery mashed potatoes, says wine expert Nia Roth, owner of Nea Roth Wine Club. “The acidity of Sauvignon blanc will cut through butter, cream, and cheese for a wine and food match made in heaven,” she says. This classic Gamble Family fragrance bursts with notes of white peach and fresh honeysuckle.
[$41.99; vivino.com]
Darius River Valley, Russian Pinot Noir Courtesy image
6. Darius of the Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
For a Thanksgiving wine, Brendan O’Donovan, a certified sommelier in Napa Valley, California, recommends Darioush Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. “In its youth, it consistently shows a lighter texture and fruit progression that makes a great combination with herb-and-salt roast turkey,” he says. “Wild strawberries and bright red cherries spill out of the glass, with notes of rose petals, baking spices, and black tea surrounding great depth and complexity.” For extra credit, a well-structured acidic backbone will stand up to the cranberry sauce, while the earthy notes and spices carry the filling and sweet potatoes home.
[$139.99; wine.com]
2016 Château de Montvrain ‘A La Douceur d’Aller’ Cotes du Rhone Red Blend Courtesy image
7. 2016 Château de Montvrain ‘A La Douceur d’Aller’ Cotes du Rhone Red Blend
Nicknamed “turkey wine,” this red blend marries syrah and grenache, and has notes of black cherry, blackberry vermouth, pepper, and baking spice, notes Tammy Roffey, sommelier and co-owner of Cologne Verde And the disco taco in Brooklyn and Komodo in New York City. It’s smooth and the body is made of dark chocolate, toffee, and espresso beans. Plus Chateau de Montfrin is passionate about organic farming and clean winemaking. “This wine is really for November in a bottle,” says Ruff. “It’s something I can always count on to be my turkey’s right-hand man this time of year.”
[$40; wine-searcher.com]
Reserved Primarios Pinot Noir Courtesy image
8. Primarius Pinot Noir Reserve
Skip the beer and savor the pumpkin pie with a glass of silky Oregon pine nuts. Primarius Reserve Pinot Noir starts with notes of dark cherry and spice, according to Desi Saeva-Johnson, sommelier at Koller Lodge in Green Bay, Wisconsin. But the lingering flavors of cloves, cinnamon, and ginger that linger on the palate make it a noble combination with pumpkin pie. It also meshes well with a good football-watching Thanksgiving tradition—winemaker Sarah Cabot plays for the Women’s National Football Conference’s Oregon Ravens.
[19.99; totalwine.com]
2020 Roussanne La Pradera Vineyards Courtesy image
9. 2020 Roussanne La Pradera Vineyards
Considered Texas’ answer to Chardonnay, Roussin has floral aromas and tangy acidity with a wider range of pairing possibilities than oaky Chardonnay. says Kelsey Kramer, in-house sommelier William Chris Wayne Company. “The butter goes well with everything from cauliflower and mashed potatoes to turkey or green bean casserole, so this wine will enhance your entire Thanksgiving spread.” Roussan also contains notes of lemon, apricot, and cantaloupe and gives a clean finish.
[$32; wine-searcher.com]
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