Elevate your holiday table with these sommelier-approved wine pairings that transform Thanksgiving dinner into a world-class tasting experience.

Thanksgiving Traditions

Thanksgiving has been a yearly highlight since I was young. Some of my fondest memories are from my grandparents’ house on Thanksgiving; I would arrive early to watch the Macy’s Day Parade, follow my grandmother around the kitchen all morning (while sneaking bites of everything and thoroughly spoiling my appetite) then settle in to watch Miracle on 34th Street to round out the evening.

As I got older, our traditions evolved. Thanksgiving morning would begin at the Middleburg Fox Hunt in Middleburg, Virginia where we would meet friends, then head back to my family’s home for our meal. Our table has always been classic: turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, and green beans. These dishes are wonderfully heavy and comforting, with turkey serving as the mild, accommodating protein that lets everything else shine.

Adding To Tradition

I don’t think there’s much that could make my family’s Thanksgiving better, but over the years, I’ve added my own contribution to our traditions: carefully selected wine pairings for everyone to enjoy. It started simple and grew into one of my favorite parts of holiday planning.

What I’ve discovered through years of experimentation (and quite a few bottles) is that wine doesn’t just accompany Thanksgiving dinner, it enhances the flavors of your favorite staples in surprising ways. It’s also the perfect opportunity to introduce friends and family to wines they might not have tried before, opening conversations about different regions, styles, and winemaking traditions.

With my experience in crafting journeys to wine destinations around the world, along with my WSET Level 1 sommelier certification, I’ve learned that the secret to exceptional Thanksgiving wine pairings isn’t about finding one “perfect” bottle. It’s about understanding how to navigate the complexity of flavors on your holiday table, from the subtle sweetness of roasted turkey to the bold tartness of cranberry sauce, the earthy depth of mushroom dressing to the butter-rich indulgence of mashed potatoes.

The Thanksgiving Pairing Challenge: Why Your Usual Wine Rules Don’t Apply

Here’s what makes Thanksgiving uniquely challenging: while turkey itself is remarkably wine-friendly (its mild, lean protein pairs with nearly everything), the real complexity lies in the supporting cast. Your table likely features ten or more distinct dishes, each with its own flavor profile – sweet, savory, tart, rich, herbaceous, and spicy – all demanding attention simultaneously.

With all of that on the plate, you have to think outside the traditional wine pairing rules on Thanksgiving. We need wines with versatility, balance, and enough character to stand up to this full plate without overwhelming any single element.

I’ve organized this pairing guide by the order I like to open bottles on Thanksgiving: sparkling wines first, then whites, followed by reds, and finally something special for dessert. This progression creates natural flow throughout your day while giving guests plenty of options to explore.

The Essential Thanksgiving Wine Strategy

My approach to Thanksgiving wine selection follows three principles:

1. Embrace food-friendly varietals that offer vibrant acidity and moderate tannins
2. Provide options across the spectrum—sparkling, white, rosé, and red
3. Favor elegance over power, allowing the meal to shine while the wine enhances

With that foundation, let’s explore your wine selections by category.

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Sparkling Wines: The Ultimate Thanksgiving Crowd-Pleaser

If I could only choose one style of wine for Thanksgiving, it would be sparkling. The effervescence cuts through rich foods, the acidity refreshes the palate between bites, and the celebratory nature sets the perfect tone for gathering with loved ones.

Champagne & Classic Method Sparkling Wines

While Champagne remains the gold standard for celebration, here are my pointers for those looking to branch out to different regions bubble-filled bottles.

Franciacorta, Italy’s answer to Champagne, employs the same traditional method and offers remarkable depth and elegance. These wines from Lombardy showcase focused minerality and persistent mousse that pair beautifully with everything from appetizers through dessert.

American sparkling wines have reached world-class quality, particularly from California and Oregon. Look for traditional method wines from Schramsberg, Roederer Estate, or Argyle from Oregon. California sparkling wines from regions like Anderson Valley or Carneros excel at Thanksgiving, offering the structure and elegance the meal demands.

Cava from Spain represents another possibility. These traditional method sparkling wines from Catalonia deliver complexity, fine bubbles, and food-friendly character. Seek out wines from quality-focused producers for genuine depth.

Unconventional Bubbles

For hosts seeking conversation-starters, Lambrusco offers an unexpectedly brilliant pairing with cranberry sauce and turkey. This is a slightly sweet, red sparkling wine from Emilia-Romagna. Its deep ruby color adds visual drama to your table, while red fruit notes and gentle effervescence create a bridge between your food’s sweet and savory elements.

Even more adventurous? Try an orange sparkling wine like Carboniste’s Crab Bulles d’Orange Extra Brut. Made from Pinot Grigio with extended skin contact, then blended with touches of Pinot Noir rosé and Albariño before its second fermentation, this California gem delivers layered texture and distinctive character that sophisticated palates will appreciate.

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White Wines: Versatility Meets Elegance

White wines often surprise guests with their remarkable compatibility with Thanksgiving’s rich, butter-laden dishes. The key is selecting wines with enough body to match the meal’s weight while maintaining the acidity to keep everything fresh.

Chardonnay: The Sophisticated Choice

Don’t overlook Chardonnay simply because it’s ubiquitous. The key is seeking out thoughtful expressions that balance richness with restraint.

California Chardonnay offers remarkable diversity depending on region and winemaking style. Look for wines from cooler appellations like Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley, or Santa Barbara County where the climate produces wines with natural acidity and elegance. Avoid heavily oaked, buttery styles in favor of producers who emphasize terroir and balance. These wines will have the weight to match rich sides while keeping your palate refreshed.

Oregon Chardonnay, particularly from the Willamette Valley, has emerged as one of America’s most exciting expressions of the variety. These wines often show beautiful tension between richness and acidity, with less oak influence and more mineral character than traditional California styles.

Burgundian Chardonnays from southern regions such as St.-Véran from producers like Joseph Drouhin, offer slightly riper fruit and a fuller body that stand up beautifully to mac and cheese and mashed potatoes while maintaining the characteristic elegance of French winemaking.

Riesling: The Sweet Spot

Riesling might be the single most versatile wine for Thanksgiving, particularly when you’re serving dishes with sweet components. Both dry and off-dry styles work brilliantly, the key being to select wines with vibrant acidity that balances any residual sugar.

An off-dry Riesling performs magic alongside sweet potato casserole, glazed carrots, or any dish featuring maple syrup. The wine’s natural sweetness harmonizes with these elements while its bright acidity prevents the pairing from becoming cloying. German Rieslings from the Mosel or Pfalz regions consistently deliver this balance at exceptional value points.

Alternative Whites for the Adventurous

Alsatian Pinot Gris brings the richness of Alsace’s cuisine to your table, appropriate given that region’s similarly indulgent food culture. Producers like Emile Beyer craft Pinot Gris with enough texture and body to match nearly every dish on your Thanksgiving spread, with aromatic complexity that keeps each sip interesting.

Viognier, from France’s Rhône Valley or California’s Central Coast, offers another compelling option. Its honeysuckle and stone fruit aromatics, combined with fuller body and moderate acidity, create beautiful harmony with turkey and cream-based sides. California producers in particular have mastered this variety, creating wines with gorgeous aromatics and balance.

For something truly distinctive, explore lesser-known varietals that showcase regional character. Alto Adige’s Kerner (a Riesling-Trollinger hybrid) delivers bright apple and citrus notes with distinctive minerality. Verdicchio from Italy’s Marche region offers Meyer lemon, wild herbs, and chopped almond notes with soft texture and remarkable length.

Chenin Blanc provides elegant versatility whether from the Loire Valley, South Africa, or increasingly, California. Loire Vouvray from producers like Denis Meunier offers dry, roasted apple notes that pair exceptionally well with cruciferous vegetables, stuffing, and turkey. South African Chenin Blanc often presents even better value with similar food-friendly characteristics.

American Albariño from regions like Monterey or the North Coast brings the bright acidity and salinity of Spanish Rías Baixas with its own character, making it an excellent (and often overlooked) Thanksgiving white.

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Red Wines: From Light & Juicy to Structured & Sophisticated

Red wine traditionalists will be pleased to know that Thanksgiving offers plenty of opportunities for your favorite varietals, provided you choose wisely.

Pinot Noir: The Classic Choice

Pinot Noir remains the default Thanksgiving red for excellent reason. Its red cherry, cranberry, and spice notes echo autumn in a glass, while its silky texture and moderate tannins enhance turkey and sides alike.

Pacific Northwest Pinot Noirs, particularly from Oregon’s Willamette Valley, offer wonderful freshness and wild strawberry character when consumed within their first five years. These wines retain vibrant red fruit structure while developing enough complexity to satisfy serious wine enthusiasts. The region’s cooler climate creates elegant, food-friendly wines that shine alongside Thanksgiving’s diverse flavors.

California Pinot Noir from cooler regions like the Russian River Valley, Santa Barbara County’s Sta. Rita Hills, or the Sonoma Coast delivers slightly riper fruit with beautiful balance. These wines often show more generosity than their European counterparts while maintaining the variety’s characteristic elegance.

While there are many regions and options available for a Pinot Noir, you can almost never go wrong with a Burgundy. Whether you’re opening a Bourgogne Rouge from producers like Louis Latour or you’ve decided to open the 2002 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, you know you’re in for a treat. If you’re planning to open a Romanée-Conti, please send a photo so I can live vicariously through you!

Beaujolais: The Sommelier’s Secret Weapon

Ask professional sommeliers what they’re drinking on Thanksgiving, and you’ll hear one name repeatedly: Beaujolais. More specifically, cru Beaujolais from villages like Morgon, Fleurie, or Brouilly.

These wines made from Gamay grapes offer everything Thanksgiving demands: bright, fresh red fruit; vibrant acidity; light-to-medium body that won’t overwhelm delicate turkey; and just enough structure to stand up to richer sides. They’re simultaneously serious and playful, a combination that matches the holiday’s spirit perfectly.

Seek out producers like Lapierre, Jean Foillard, Clos de la Roilette, or Château Thivin. These are wines that balance fruit and earth with savory fall notes, good acidity, and no oak interference. Absolutely perfect for sharing around a crowded table.

For American alternatives, California’s Stolpman Vineyards “GDG” (God Damn Gamay) from Santa Barbara County is arguably the finest domestic Gamay. It’s unapologetically NOT Beaujolais in style, but delivers purity of aromatic red fruit and bright, lean texture that pairs brilliantly with diverse foods.

Italian Reds: From Tuscany to Sicily

My work in the Italian wine country has taught me that Sangiovese-based wines deserve serious consideration for Thanksgiving. Chianti Classico, particularly Riserva bottlings, offers black cherry, spiced plum, cocoa, and menthol notes with fuller body than typical Chianti, silky texture, and beautifully integrated tannins.

Mount Etna wines from Sicily have emerged as some of the most exciting values in Italian wine. Volcanic soils and high elevation create distinctive mineral-driven wines with remarkable complexity. Producers like Benanti, Girolamo Russo, Palmento Costanzo, and Passopisciaro craft both reds and whites that deliver serious character at prices that seem impossible given their quality.

Rhône-Inspired Reds and Grenache-Based Blends

Châteauneuf-du-Pape from France’s Southern Rhône is another special bottle that guests remember long after dinner ends. These Grenache-based blends offer rich, spicy character with fresh acidity, which is precisely what you need to match cranberry sauce’s bright tartness and the meal’s overall richness.

American Rhône-style blends showcase how New World winemakers honor Old World traditions while expressing their own terroir. California’s Central Coast (Paso Robles, Santa Barbara County) produces exceptional Syrah, Grenache, and GSM (Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre) blends that pair beautifully with Thanksgiving. Look for producers like Stolpman, Saxum, or Tablas Creek.

Washington State has also emerged as a powerhouse for Rhône varieties, with the Columbia Valley producing structured, age-worthy Syrahs that offer both power and elegance. Additionally, Australian Grenache from regions like Barossa Valley or McLaren Vale offers a compelling option; these are wines with generosity and warmth balanced by bright acidity and savory notes.

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Building Your Thanksgiving Wine Selection: A Practical Framework

For a gathering of 8-12 guests, I recommend:

The Classic Approach

• 2 bottles sparkling wine (Champagne or alternatives like Franciacorta, Cava, or American sparkling)
• 2 bottles white wine (one Chardonnay, one Riesling)
• 3-4 bottles red wine (2 Pinot Noir or Beaujolais, 1-2 bottles of something more structured like Chianti Classico, Rhône blend, or aged Rioja)

The Adventurous Selection

• 2 bottles sparkling wine (one traditional, one unconventional like Lambrusco or orange sparkling)
• 2 bottles white wine (try Chenin Blanc and Alsatian Pinot Gris, or Viognier and Albariño)
• 4 bottles red wine (mix Beaujolais with Spanish Garnacha, Sicilian reds, or American Syrah)

The Regional Showcase – Choose wines from a single country or region to tell a cohesive story:

• French Focus: Champagne, Loire whites (Vouvray, Sancerre), Beaujolais, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
• Spanish Journey: Cava, Albariño, Rioja Reserva, Priorat
• American Adventure: California or Oregon sparkling, Willamette Valley Chardonnay, Russian River Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara Syrah
• Italian Discovery: Franciacorta, Alto Adige whites, Chianti Classico Riserva, Etna Rosso

This regional approach allows you to share your passion for a specific wine region while maintaining the versatility Thanksgiving demands. Doing this will also naturally open conversations about wine travel and terroir.

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Expert Tips for Thanksgiving Wine Service

Temperature matters tremendously. Serve your reds slightly chilled (60-65°F). This is especially important for Beaujolais and lighter-bodied wines. The coolness enhances freshness and prevents alcohol from dominating. Many Italian sommeliers serve even fuller-bodied wines with a slight chill, and your Thanksgiving table is the perfect place to adopt this practice.

Open wines in stages. Start with sparkling as guests arrive, transition to whites (and rosés) with appetizers and the first part of the meal, then introduce reds as the main course progresses. This creates natural progression and prevents wine fatigue.

Don’t overthink it. While I’ve provided detailed guidance, remember that Thanksgiving’s real magic happens in the gathering, not the glass. Choose wines you’re excited to share, serve them at proper temperatures, and let the conversation flow.

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Your Thanksgiving Wine ChecklistBefore we move to dessert, here’s your quick reference guide to ensure wine success:

✓ Select versatile, food-friendly wines over powerful, extracted styles
✓ Include sparkling wine! It’s the secret weapon for any holiday pairing
✓ Offer both white and red options to accommodate diverse preferences
✓ Consider adventurous choices for conversation
✓ Chill your reds slightly for optimal freshness
✓ Buy an extra bottle or two. You’ll appreciate the insurance, and maybe have some leftover
✓ Serve wines at appropriate temperatures
✓ Most importantly: Choose wines you’re genuinely excited to share

Dessert: When Wine Takes a Back Seat

Here’s where I break from the wine tradition in my own family. When we move to dessert, coffee takes center stage alongside our pumpkin and pecan pies. And after dessert? That’s when the whiskey starts flowing, which is truly an entire blog post in itself.

Thankfully, I have a husband and mother who both love whiskey: drinking it, learning about it, trying different styles. We’re never short on choices when the bottles come out. I know what I enjoy, but I won’t pretend to be a connoisseur or someone you should take whiskey advice from. That’s their domain.

If you do want to continue with wine through dessert, consider these options:

Sweet Wines:

• Sauternes from Bordeaux (my personal splurge choice when I do opt for wine with dessert). Its rich, spicy character with fresh acidity pairs beautifully with pumpkin pie
• Late Harvest Riesling! Eiswein (icewine) from Germany is a perfect compliment.

Port or Fortified Wines:

• Tawny Port brings caramel and nut notes that mirror pecan pie perfectly
• Pedro Ximénez Sherry offers fig and date flavors that complement autumn spices

A Final Toast

At the end of the day, you and your guests should be drinking the wine (or whiskey) that you genuinely enjoy, whether that’s something from this list of suggestions or a wine that’s completely different. There’s no wrong choice when you’re spending time with family and friends, sharing good food, and creating memories around the table.

Thanksgiving wine selection doesn’t require a sommelier or an unlimited budget. It requires curiosity, willingness to explore beyond the familiar, and understanding of what makes wines truly food-friendly.

The bottles I’ve recommended, from accessible Beaujolais to Spanish Garnachas, from distinctive white wines across Europe to celebrated American expressions, represent the sweet spot of quality, value, and versatility. They’re wines that respect tradition while embracing discovery, much like the holiday itself.

This Thanksgiving, as you gather with loved ones around a table laden with family favorites and seasonal abundance, let these wines enhance your celebration. Let them spark conversations, complement your carefully prepared dishes, and perhaps transport you to the world’s great wine regions, from French vineyards to Spanish hillsides, California valleys to volcanic Mediterranean slopes.

If you’re enjoying time with family and friends over good food this year, you have a lot to be thankful for. Cheers to that.

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Kathryn of Mistral Winds Travel specializes in creating bespoke wine and culinary journeys to the world’s most celebrated wine regions. From Tuscany’s rolling hills to Napa’s storied vineyards, from Spain’s ancient bodegas to France’s legendary estates. Ready to transform your wine passion into unforgettable travel experiences? Let’s plan your wine adventure.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Thanksgiving Wine Pairings

What is the best wine to serve with Thanksgiving turkey?

Turkey’s mild flavor pairs well with many wines, but the most versatile choices are Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, and sparkling wines. These all offer the balance and acidity needed to complement both the turkey and diverse side dishes. For white wine lovers, Chardonnay and off-dry Riesling work beautifully with turkey and cream-based sides.

Should I serve red or white wine with Thanksgiving dinner?

Serve both! Thanksgiving’s diverse menu means offering variety. Plan on at least one sparkling option, one or two whites (Chardonnay and Riesling), and two to three reds (Pinot Noir or Beaujolais plus something more structured).

What wines pair well with sweet Thanksgiving side dishes like sweet potato casserole?

Off-dry Riesling is the secret weapon for sweet side dishes. This wine’s natural sweetness harmonizes with sweet potatoes and maple-flavored dishes while its vibrant acidity keeps the pairing balanced. Alternatively, Viognier or lighter reds like Beaujolais provide fruit-forward character that bridges sweet and savory elements.

How many bottles of wine should I buy for Thanksgiving dinner?

Plan for approximately one bottle per two to three guests for a 2-3 hour dinner. For 8-12 guests, I recommend 6-8 bottles total (2 sparkling, 2 white, 3-4 red), plus one or two extra bottles as insurance.

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