The Best Wines to Pair with Your Thanksgiving Feast
Elevate Your Holiday Meal with the Perfect Wine Pairings

Thanksgiving is a time to gather with family and friends, indulge in delicious food, and, of course, raise a glass to the season of gratitude. One of the most enjoyable aspects of the holiday meal is the variety of flavors on the table—rich, savory dishes, sweet sides, and decadent desserts. To make the most of this festive spread, selecting the right wine can enhance your dining experience, bringing out the best in each dish.

In this blog, we’ll explore the best wine pairings for Thanksgiving dinner, covering everything from appetizers to dessert. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or a casual sipper, these suggestions will help you find the perfect bottle to complement your holiday meal.

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1. Sparkling Wine for Starters

Start the meal off with a celebratory pop! Sparkling wine is versatile and refreshing, making it an excellent choice for Thanksgiving appetizers like cheese platters, smoked salmon, or even roasted nuts. The acidity and effervescence of sparkling wine help cleanse the palate between bites, setting the stage for the dishes to come.

Best Pairings:

• Brut Champagne or Cava: Both are dry and refreshing, with enough acidity to balance rich appetizers and prepare the palate for the main meal.
• Prosecco: A slightly sweeter option, it pairs wonderfully with savory cheeses, prosciutto, or light hors d'oeuvres.

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2. White Wines for the Main Course

When it comes to the main Thanksgiving meal, which typically features roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce, white wines are a safe bet due to their bright acidity and versatility. The turkey itself is mild in flavor, so you’ll want a wine that complements without overpowering.

Best Pairings:

• Chardonnay: A classic choice, especially one with moderate oak aging. The creamy texture and notes of butter, citrus, and vanilla from an oaked Chardonnay pair beautifully with roasted turkey and mashed potatoes. For a lighter option, a crisp, unoaked Chardonnay works well with turkey and green beans.
• Sauvignon Blanc: Its bright acidity and herbal notes make it a great match for turkey with herb-based stuffing or dishes with a bit of citrus, like a cranberry relish.
• Pinot Grigio: If you prefer something light and crisp, Pinot Grigio is an excellent option that won’t compete with the food but will offer a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of the meal.

 

3. Red Wines for Bold Flavors

If you’re a red wine fan, don’t worry—there are plenty of reds that work well with Thanksgiving dinner. While turkey is often seen as a white-wine dish, the richer, more complex flavors of stuffing, gravy, and roasted vegetables make red wine a great choice for some elements of the meal.

Best Pairings:

• Pinot Noir: Pinot Noir is often hailed as the perfect red wine for Thanksgiving. Its light body, low tannins, and subtle fruit and earthy notes pair wonderfully with turkey and its sides. Plus, Pinot Noir is incredibly food-friendly, making it a great all-around option for a variety of dishes.
• Zinfandel: If your meal features a smoky or spiced dish, such as barbecued turkey or roasted meats, a fruit-forward Zinfandel with its peppery finish will match well. Zinfandel’s bold character also pairs nicely with cranberry sauce, which can sometimes have a tart or sweet profile.
• Gamay (Beaujolais): The light, berry-driven profile of a Beaujolais or Beaujolais Nouveau is another excellent choice. Its low tannins and vibrant acidity make it a crowd-pleaser that works well with both turkey and the wide variety of sides.

 

4. Rosé for Flexibility

For those who want something a bit different but still approachable, rosé is a fantastic option. It strikes a perfect balance between red and white wine, offering fruitiness with a refreshing acidity that works well with a variety of dishes, from turkey to sides like sweet potatoes, green beans, and roasted carrots.

Best Pairings:

• Dry Rosé: A dry rosé, especially one from Provence, is light enough to complement turkey yet has enough body to stand up to richer sides like stuffing or roasted root vegetables. The crisp acidity and subtle berry notes make it a versatile option for the entire meal.

 

5. Dessert Wines to End the Meal

After the main course, there’s often a sweet finale to your Thanksgiving meal, whether it's pumpkin pie, apple crisp, or a rich pecan pie. When choosing a dessert wine, you’ll want something that’s sweet enough to complement, but not so overpowering that it overpowers the dessert.

Best Pairings:

• Late Harvest Riesling: A luscious, sweet Riesling is the perfect pairing for pumpkin or apple pie. The wine’s honeyed sweetness and vibrant acidity help balance the spices in the pie without overwhelming it.
• Moscato d’Asti: Light, slightly effervescent, and sweet with notes of peach and orange blossom, Moscato d'Asti pairs beautifully with fruity desserts like apple crisp or cranberry compote.
• Port: If you’re serving something rich and nutty, such as pecan pie or chocolate desserts, a glass of Port is an indulgent, delicious choice. Its deep, velvety character and notes of dried fruit and spice are a natural match for nutty pies.

 

6. Wine Tips for Thanksgiving

• Serve wine slightly cooler than room temperature: White wines should be chilled, and red wines should be served at a cool room temperature (around 60°F), which helps bring out their best flavors without making them too cold or too warm.
• Don’t be afraid to serve a variety: Thanksgiving dinner is an eclectic mix of flavors, so don’t hesitate to offer more than one type of wine for your guests to enjoy. A mix of whites, reds, and maybe even a sparkling wine will give everyone something to enjoy throughout the meal.
• Decant your red wines: If you're serving a bolder red, like a Zinfandel or a full-bodied Pinot Noir, consider decanting it before the meal. This will help soften the tannins and allow the wine to open up, enhancing its aroma and flavor.

 

Conclusion

Thanksgiving is all about sharing abundance—abundant food, abundant company, and abundant gratitude. With the right wines, you can elevate your holiday meal and create even more memorable moments around the dinner table. Whether you go with classic choices like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir or opt for something a little more adventurous like Beaujolais or Moscato, the perfect wine pairing can elevate every dish.

Cheers to a delicious Thanksgiving filled with laughter, love, and great wine!