Thanksgiving is arguably wine’s favorite holiday. Across the U.S. many tables will boast the traditional trimmings of turkey with gravy, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, and whatever greens you’ll be making the children eat before they can be excused. And with our country so vibrant with different cultures from around the world, there are endless menu possibilities for the big dinner.
With such a wide smattering of dishes, pairings can be tough to navigate. And spending time perusing wine shop shelves while internally panicking about how you need to baste the turkey in 15 minutes is no fun. Well, don’t fret. We compiled our top Thanksgiving wine picks so you can shop with ease and get back in time to “shoo” everyone out of the kitchen.
The key to a fun wine-filled Thanksgiving is to select a few wines that can pair across an array of dishes. These usually have high acidity and low-ish alcohol levels — it is a long day of eating and drinking, after all. This year’s list offers up spiced, elegant, and juicy red wines from grapes like Cabernet Franc, Gamay, and Syrah along with whites that range from round and unctuous to mineral-driven and bright. Not to mention sparkling and sweet wines to set up your meal for success from beginning to end. Read on for the 30 best wines to drink this Thanksgiving.
Throughout the year, VinePair conducts dozens of tastings for our “Buy This Booze” product roundups, highlighting the best bottles across the world’s most popular wine and spirits categories.
As part of this work, VinePair’s tasting and editorial staff samples thousands of bottles every year. This helps us keep a finger on the pulse of what’s new and exciting. It also provides us with the crucial context needed to distinguish the simply good from the truly great — whether from a quality or value-for-money perspective, or both.
VinePair’s mission is to offer a clear, reliable source of information for drinkers, providing an overview applicable to day-to-day buying and drinking.
We believe in tasting all products as our readers typically would: with full knowledge of the producer and — importantly — price. Our tastings are therefore not conducted blind.
VinePair’s tasting panel evaluates every wine on its aromas, flavors, structure, balance, and quality. We also consider whether or not the wine showed typicity for its specific grape or region.
For the best Thanksgiving wines roundup, our tastings department reviewed the wines that were featured across VinePair’s buying guides throughout the year and compiled a list of the bottles that are best suited for food pairings — specifically those associated with Thanksgiving. We also considered what each wine brought to the table based on quality, value, regional diversity, and availability in the U.S. to ensure a comprehensive selection.
Wines that tend to work well for Thanksgiving typically have bright acidity, are low in alcohol (it’s a long day), and offer flavors that complement the dishes. For example, varieties like Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, and Gamay all offer bright red fruit with hints of herbs and spices, which provide a classic pairing for the holiday’s classic late-autumn seasonings.
Also, don’t shy away from offering wine with a slight hint of sweetness on the Thanksgiving table. White wines like Chenin Blanc and Riesling with a touch of residual sugar can make a great complementary pairing to the sweeter dishes on the table like cranberry sauce or a sweet potato casserole — especially one with marshmallows.
Since Thanksgiving is a uniquely American holiday, it’s also always fun to highlight American wines on Thanksgiving. Some on this list include sparkling wine from New Mexico, Cabernet Franc from New York, Sauvignon Blanc from Santa Barbara, and even dessert wine from Virginia.
Overall, the most important factor is that everyone has something in their glass that they love, so choosing crowd-pleasing wines that can suit a wide variety of palates is always optimal.
Let’s just rip off the Band-Aid here. Veuve Clicquot is so globally popular that it gets a lot of flack for being, well, globally popular. There’s a sense that because of the sheer scale of annual production (19 million bottles a year) that it can’t be balanced or just good. We’re here to tell you it is good, and deserves a spot on your holiday table this year.
There’s a reason why Veuve Clicquot is one of the most recognized Champagne houses in the world. Its flagship bottle is superbly balanced, with ripe fruit, lively bubbles, and bright acidity. There are notes of green apple, lemon zest, and a delightfully creamy texture on the finish.
This bottle can span the whole meal, from welcome drinks and the pre-meal cheese board to appetizers and even the main event. With so many flavors across the holiday table, Champagne is probably the safest bet there is. And the fact that this is so easy to find scores some major points as well. After all, there’s a lot more to think about on Thanksgiving than just the wine.
Average price: $49
Rating: 90
When trying to find a good red wine below, say, $20, Chianti can be a great place to start. And among the most affordable Chianti out there, this bottle from Castello di Gabbiano truly stands out in character and value
Castello di Gabbiano is a historic winery in the heart of Chianti, with the first references to the estate recorded to be in the 11th century. This wine is sourced from vineyards in the region’s traditional center, Chianti Classico. It’s a blend of 90 percent Sangiovese, 5 percent Merlot, and the remaining 5 percent is a blend of various grapes indigenous to the region.
The result is an expressive wine with tart red cherries, earth, and leather from some time aging in oak. The palate is bright and grippy, with a structure that welcomes a range of food pairings. So in addition to being affordable it’s extremely versatile — which is a necessity on Thanksgiving day. Needless to say, if your personal holiday table is centered around spaghetti and meatballs, Chianti is a non-negotiable.
Average price: $14
Rating: 90
Though there are several slpurge-y wines on this list, we’re highlighting this bottle because it can hold up to anything on the holiday table. It also has an elegance that one can only find in a northern Italian red. The balance between brightness and depth makes this a very easy wine to share with a group that has varying palate preferences.
San Leonardo is a producer in the northern Italian region of Trentino-Alto Adige high up in the Dolomites. The Marchesi Guerrieri Gonzaga family made the property their home in the 18th century and still make wine there today. It’s truly a wonderful estate with its own small village, shop, winery, and museum along with a villa tucked into the foothills of the mountains.
Though the winery is based in northern Italy, San Leonardo is known for embracing the classic Bordeaux blend. This particular wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, and Merlot. The nose is welcoming with wild berries flecked with black pepper and leather. The palate is harmonious, with active acidity supporting the medium-weighted fruit with the slightest tannic grip around the edges. It’s a wine you don’t want to end.
Average price: 96
Rating: $115
American wine is a reflection of who we are as a people: diverse, innovative, pioneering. And this Syrah from Arnot-Roberts exemplifies this. Syrah has been long adored in France’s Northern Rhône, but some passionate producers in the U.S. have embraced the variety, looking to show its potential here. And Arnot-Roberts is one of the leading producers demonstrating how expressive and complex California Syrah can really be.
The beauty of this Sonoma Coast Syrah from Arnot-Roberts is not only that it’s a wonderfully balanced wine, but that it truly reflects the grape’s inherent savory characteristics. Smoked meat, pepper, spices, herbs, and brambly berries come together on the palate, with a lithe tannic structure and bright acidity providing an enjoyable texture. It matches some of the autumnal spices on the table, plus it appeals to lovers of both medium-bodied and full-bodied reds, and can even help some of your guests try something new.
Average price: $40
Rating: 95
Being that this is an American holiday, we thought it was proper to feature an American Sparkler (a term coined by VinePair’s tastings director Keith Beavers). This bottle from Gruet in New Mexico has aromas of strawberries, orange zest, and white flowers. The palate is crisp and energetic with a tart fruit core. It makes for a delicious — and wallet-friendly — welcome drink option if pink is preferred.
Average price: $17
Rating: 90
If you want to offer a higher-end sparkling rosé without totally breaking the bank, this is a great Champagne option. R.H. Coutier is a fifth-generation family estate located in the grand cru village of Ambonnay in the south of the Montagne de Reims in Champagne. This bottling is made with 60 percent Chardonnay and 40 percent Pinot Noir aged on the lees for a minimum of three years. The high percentage of Chardonnay gives this wine a lively energy with bright acidity, while the Pinot Noir adds pops of flavor, including cranberries, strawberries, and blood orange. Honestly, it’s an appetizer in a bottle.
Average price: $64
Rating: 92
This liter bottle of crisp Grüner Veltliner will keep the wine flowing from appetizer to dessert. With juicy citrus flavors and a bright mineral-driven acidity, this Grüner is the big, crowd-pleasing bottle that was meant for big holidays like Thanksgiving.
Average Price: $15
Rating: 90
This is not the Pinot Grigio you’re used to. Coming from Alsace in eastern France, the style leans on the richer side, making it perfect for all the flavors on the holiday table. It has ripe fruit notes of fuzzy peaches, juicy mango, and lemon oil.
Average price: $22
Rating: 91
Riesling’s signature acidity is always a good foil for the heavier dishes on the table. This bottling, from the Pfeffingen estate in Germany’s Pfalz region, is well balanced between acidity and sweetness, with juicy notes of grapefruit, lime zest, and apples. So while the zippy acid can lift up dense dishes like the mashed potatoes, the slight honeyed note on the back palate can be the perfect complement to the table’s sweeter dishes like cranberry sauce or sweet potato casserole.
Average price: $23
Rating: 91
Outside its home in the Loire Valley, Chenin Blanc has made a name for itself in South Africa.This Chenin Blanc from Stellenbosch is made from old vines, which adds a great depth and energy. It has notes of pears and citrus with hints of chamomile and a rich, waxy texture.
Average price: $27
Rating: 93
There are two types of Grüner Veltliner, the native white wine grape of Austria. There are the more casual examples and then there are the age-worthy examples. This complex bottle from Austria’s historic Nikolaihof estate is an example of the latter. The wine opens with a slightly reduced nose and subtle notes of lemon zest, salted butter, and sage. The palate is dry and even with concentrated fruit and good supporting acidity. Those layers will pair with the layers in the many dishes on offer.
Average Price: $30
Rating: 93
Sauvignon Blanc tends to be either steely and mineral-driven or lush and tropical, and both styles can be a bit divisive. Well, this bottle from California’s Santa Maria Valley strikes the perfect balance. It offers bright notes of tropical fruit, lemon oil, and white flowers on the nose and a nice roundness on the palate that balances the zingy acidity. It’s the perfect match to a dinner salad or your favorite veggie sides.
Average price: $32
Rating: 93
No need to overwhelm this list with Chardonnay, as it is traditionally the white wine of Turkey Day. But we thought we would share one of the best bottles we tried this year. Expertly balanced between richness and acidity, this bottle will appeal to every Chard drinker at the table. It offers an expressive nose with aromas of jasmine flowers, green herbs, lemon, and saline. The palate is elegant with supple depth and wonderful acidity.
Average price: $34
Rating: 95
Chenin Blanc is a Thanksgiving sleeper hit. It has the texture and depth to hold up to food and the clean mineral acidity to cleanse the palate with every sip. This bottle hails from the variety’s home in France’s Loire Valley. The nose is mineral-driven with fresh citrus and orchard fruit aromas. The palate is rich, with baked apple and vanilla notes balanced by the wine’s natural angular acidity.
Average price: $46
Rating: 94
Look, we’re not sayin’ (but we’re kind of sayin’) Petit Manseng is steadily becoming one of Virginia’s star white wine grapes. Originally from the Atlantic-influenced southwestern region of France, this variety is now thriving in the commonwealth. And, wow, is it an amazing food wine. It’s wonderfully aromatic with notes of stone fruits, white flowers, and citrus. It has a rich and textured palate with layers of waxy white cherries, peaches, and lemon curd. Need we say more?
Average price: $65
Rating: 93
It’s a workhorse. It’s a case buy. It’s a delicious rosato (Italian for rosé) from the extreme southern tip of Italy. No matter the weather, it’s nice to have sunshine in a bottle and this wine is exactly that. Made from the local Gaglioppo grape from the town of Ciro, this wine has ripe red fruit notes and refreshing acidity that evokes a seaside breeze.
Average price: $15
Rating: 90
Hot take: Cabernet Franc makes incredible rosé. And this is a shining example from the Finger Lakes. The nose is brimming with fresh herbs, wild strawberries, and hints of green bell pepper. The palate is full of tart red berries and finishes with a creamy texture. This is a quintessential Cab Franc rosé and a must-try from the Finger Lakes.
Average price: $20
Rating: 93
The rosé wines of Provence were our first introduction to this beautiful pink style of wine. This bottle captures why we fell so hard. It captures the classic style with light and mineral-driven vibes. The palate has pops of fresh white peaches, cherries, and strawberries.
Average price: $25
Rating: 92
Skin-contact wines are low-key some of the best wines for food. They have the brightness of a white wine and the grippy tannic edge of a red. This Slovenian Pinot Gris is a classic example of how it’s been done for centuries. The nose brings a waft of tropical fruit with flecks of white pepper. The palate has a refreshing acidity and subtle tannins that will wow with even the heavier proteins on the table.
Average price: $20
Rating: 93
Not all skin-contact wines are the same. This gem from California’s Central Coast shows orange wine’s herbaceous side. The blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Gris offers aromas of thyme, sage, orange zest, and juicy grapefruit. The savory notes match up perfectly with the holiday’s classic autumnal seasonings. .
Average price: $35
Rating: 92
Wines from Chianti are some of the world’s friendliest food wines. It’s hard to explain just how perfect the Sangiovese grape pairs with a plethora of cuisines. But if you know there’s going to be some lasagna, or maybe even some meatballs on the table, this wine is extra special. It has a rich, earthy nose with sour cherry and cranberry aromas and hints of tobacco and leather. The palate has great depth and balance with an elegant fruit core framed by a prominent yet supportive tannin structure. Yeah, it’s awesome.
Average price: $28
Rating: 93
This native Austrian red is not the first thought when we think of red wine for turkey, but we’re making a case for it to be a go-to. It’s expressive on the nose with wild berries, cherries, and earthy smoke. With its juicy berry flavors, medium body, and refreshing acidity, it’s sure to be a crowd pleaser, and is a great way to mix it up from the classic pairings.
Average price: $29
Rating: 93
This wine comes from a historic estate in Moulin-à-Vent, one of the 10 distinct crus of Beaujolais. Here you can find high-quality, structured examples of Gamay. This bottle, sourced from the winery’s most prestigious vineyards, is wrapped up in fall aromas. It’s medium-bodied, with bright notes of cranberries, cherries, and orange zest. It has great complexity, with flecks of black pepper and herbs on the finish.
Average price: $30
Rating: 92
Outside of its home in France, Cabernet Franc is thriving in New York’s cool-climate Finger Lakes region. And Forge is bringing the crunchy fall- leaves vibes with this bottling. It has peppery wild berries and an autumnal forest on the nose with medium fruit and a lifting acidity that supports all of the savory notes.
Average price: $34
Rating: 94
Cabernet Franc is one of a short list of varieties that scream autumn. This bottle from the grape’s home in the Loire Valley showcases its natural savory notes. The nose has wafts of cedar, dried leaves, and herbs that will pair well with your favorite seasonal stuffing recipe. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, bright acidity, and notes of red plums and raspberries. I mean!
Average price: $52
Rating: 92
This Oregon Pinot Noir brings all the juiciness and aromas this variety has to offer with an added chewiness to the mouthfeel. It’s beautifully aromatic with notes of cherry candies and rose petals on the nose. The palate has more of that ripe cherry character with hints of raspberry and orange zest lifted by a bright acidity and wonderful depth.
Average price: $60
Rating: 93
Pinot Noir is a classic Thanksgiving pairing for a reason. The grape variety’s classic lighter body, high acidity, and spicy red fruit notes is an obvious match for the flavors of the season. And this Pinot Noir from California’s Santa Maria Valley has the perfect balance between ripe fruit and acidity with notes of juicy cherries, strawberries, orange zest, and fresh herbs.
Average price: $62
Rating: 94
This wine is America. A producer that’s part of the fabric of wine in the U.S. and an eclectic blend that represents the adventurous spirit of the country. Made with Syrah, Grenache, Petite Sirah, and Viognier, it’s seriously delicious with spiced oak and red berry fruit on the nose. The palate has rich, concentrated fruit notes and well-integrated oak flavors. Though Thanksgiving is primarily suited for light- or medium-bodied wines, it’s always good to have a wine like this on hand for your relative who will only drink big, bold wines.
Average Price: $65
Rating: 93
Assemble the cheese plate and show Virginia some love. This dessert wine from Barboursville is made with Vidal Blanc and Muscat Ottonel grapes in the traditional paxxito method. This technique involves allowing the grapes to air dry outside before fermentation, allowing the sugars and flavors to concentrate. The result is a sweet amber wine with aromas of acacia and honey. The palate is rich yet balanced with good acidity and an even finish. The perfect pair for pumpkin or pecan pie.
Average price: $40
Rating: 91
Sweet wine made from the Picolit grape in the northern hills of Friuli is not a rarity but is definitely not a regular occurrence. Only in good years when the variety ripens just right is this wine made. So you’re in for a treat with this liquid gold. It has a comforting nose with notes of caramel, pear brandy, and almonds. It has an exceptional, focused palate that finds the optimal balance between sweetness and acidity. Even when you think you’re too full for dessert, there’s always room for a splash of dessert wine.
Average price: $125
Rating: 96
While there’s no one drink or alcoholic beverage associated with the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States, one might assume that wine, beer, and whiskey — specifically bourbon — are all widely consumed on Thanksgiving.
To pick an appropriate wine or wines for Thanksgiving, consider first the type of meal you’re having. Will your spread feature turkey as the star? Or perhaps something less traditional, like chicken or a pork loin. Will there be Brussels sprouts and mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce? Once you have a sense of the menu, picking a crowd-pleasing versatile wine that goes with most things (think Pinot Noir or Chardonnay) is your best bet. You also might consider your own wine preferences or the wine preferences of your guests. If you don’t particularly love Pinot Noir, or you know Aunt Christine prefers white wine, opt instead for a dry Riesling or rosé, or even a sparkling wine.
In most cases, you can’t go wrong with a Pinot Noir or a Chardonnay when you have a Thanksgiving turkey in mind. But there are plenty of options, as this list demonstrates, for wines that can pair wonderfully with turkey.
Because of its cornucopia of flavors and sheer abundance of food, Thanksgiving is a good time to offer both white and red wine, as different styles of both can pair well with the many dishes offered on Thanksgiving.
The article The 30 Best Wines for Thanksgiving (2024) appeared first on VinePair.
