If you’re struggling to find the best wine for Thanksgiving, we’re here to help. Putting together a Thanksgiving meal takes a ton of planning. There's the dinner itself—from the turkey and stuffing to the green bean casserole—plus appetizers, sides, and desserts like pumpkin pie. It can be easy to overlook the details, but the perfect wine pairings can really elevate your Thanksgiving dinner.
The right wine can bring out the best flavors in every dish, but you don't need to be an expert to select the right bottles. Check out our Thanksgiving wine guide below to choose the best wine for your feast.
Best Wines To Serve With Thanksgiving Dinner
Not sure which is the best wine to serve for Thanksgiving? Champagne, Prosecco, and other festive sparkling wines are great options for practically any Thanksgiving gathering. Consider serving a sparkling wine with pre-meal appetizers to set a celebratory mood as guests arrive. The light, acidic, and often fruity flavors of sparkling wine also balance out the richness of classic Thanksgiving dishes.
You'll also want to have a few bottles of red and white wine on hand for guests to enjoy with their meal. Here are some suggestions for wines that go well with the most popular Thanksgiving foods:
Turkey
- Riesling
- Gewürztraminer
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Pinot Noir
- Syrah
Stuffing or Dressing
- Riesling
- Pinot Grigio
- Pinot Noir
- Syrah
Green Bean Casserole
- Pinot Grigio
Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
- Gewürztraminer
- Sauvignon Blanc
Sweet Potato Casserole
- Riesling
- Zinfandel
Pie
- Port
- Sherry
- Rosé
What Wine Goes Best With Turkey?
Several types of wine pair well with turkey, but there are many different kinds of turkey and ways to prepare it. Check out the recommendations below to find out which types of wine pair well with turkey that's cooked the way you like it!
Baked Turkey
If you're serving baked turkey on Thanksgiving, go with a fruity yet tart red wine that has floral notes and a hint of spices.
Extra Dry Turkey
Opt for a sweeter red with strong apple and citrus notes and high acidity to balance out an extra dry turkey.
Smoked Turkey
The best wine for a smoked turkey is a red featuring red and black fruit flavors with a touch of leather and tobacco.
Fried Turkey
Sip a sparkling wine with fried turkey. Whether you prefer Prosecco, Champagne, or Sparkling Rosé, the light, bubbly, and fruity nature of sparkling wines cut through the fat and salt of fried turkey, along with many other favorite Thanksgiving dishes.
Best Thanksgiving Wines for Your Turkey
Bring out the best in every Thanksgiving dish with the perfect glass of red, white, or sparkling wine. From charcuterie to desserts, these wine bottle recommendations will pair well with the whole Thanksgiving meal.
Red Wine
The berry flavors, spices, and richness of a light-bodied red like Pinot Noir pair well with turkey and stuffing or dressing.
White Wine
A fresh, fruity, and floral Sauvignon Blanc and an oaky, buttery Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon balance out the rich flavors of mashed potatoes with gravy.
Sparkling Wine
Whether it’s Champagne or Prosecco, a light, crisp, and acidic sparkling wine brings a refreshing contrast to rich meat and buttery potatoes.
White or Red Wine: Which Pairs Best With Turkey?
When it comes to picking the best wine for Thanksgiving, it can be hard to choose between red and white. On one hand, red wine pairs well because it adds a unique richness and brings out the flavors of meats and dressing. On the other hand, white wine pairs well due to its higher acidity that cuts through heavy fat, salt, and cream.
It's always a good idea to have a few bottles of each on hand, especially if you're expecting company. At the end of the day, holiday dinner wine pairing is all about personal preference. Below are some suggestions for the best red and white wines to look for when planning your Thanksgiving meal.
The Best Red Wine for Thanksgiving Turkey
Red Varietals
Pinot Noir:
- Seaside Cellars
- Les Allies
- Tussock Jumper
Zinfandel:
- GFF
- Capital Z
- Knucklehead
Cabernet:
- Cafe Zoetrope
- Fine Form
- Prestige de Mireval
Sangiovese/Chianti:
- Fontella
- Badiolo Chianti DOCG
- Molino Del Piano Chianti Reserva
Grenache/Garnacha:
- Ignacio Old Vine
- Le XV du President Grenache
Lambrusco:
- Cinta
The Best White Wine for Thanksgiving Turkey
White Varietals
Riesling:
- Tussock Jumper
- St Michael
Gewurztraminer:
- Highway 253
Pinot Grigio:
- Alessandro
- Il Casato
- Campanula
- Cinta
Chardonnay:
- Howling Cellars
- Tussock Jumper
- Big Bad
Sauvignon Blanc:
- Long Bay
- Tussock Jumper
- Mussel Bay
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