Key Takeaways: Thanksgiving Wines
- The best Thanksgiving wines include light reds like Pinot Noir, whites such as Chardonnay or Riesling, and sparkling options like Champagne.
- For bolder flavors, try Zinfandel with smoked or herb-stuffed turkey.
- For unexpected and unique pairings, serve Rosé and wine cocktails with Thanksgiving dessert.
Our sommeliers recommend 12 bottles for your Thanksgiving feast.
Quick Table Summary: 12 Best Thanksgiving Wines 2025
| Wine Name | Vintage / Validation | Key Characteristics | Price Point | Score (1-5 Stars) | Recommended Dish Pairing | Pairing Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pinot Noir | Recent strong vintages include 2021, 2022, and 2023 |
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$20 - $60+ | 4-5 | Roasted turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, and herb stuffing | Complements both dark and white meat without overpowering the flavors. |
| Zinfandel | 2021 and 2022 are excellent recent vintages |
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$15 - $55 | 4-5 | Dark meat turkey, stuffing, and roasted root vegetables | Pairs beautifully with Thanksgiving dishes' herbal and savory elements. |
| GSM/Rhône Blends | 2021 and 2022 are highly rated recent vintages |
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$20 - $60+ | 4-5 | Smoked turkey, gravy-laden dishes, and roasted squash | Robust enough to stand up to more decadent dishes. |
| Beaujolais | Look for the 2022 and 2023 vintages |
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$20 - $40 | 3-4 | Wild rice, salads, and roasted vegetables | A delightful pairing for various dishes, especially those with a hint of sweetness. |
| Amarone della Valpolicella | 2021 is considered a great vintage |
|
$70 - $400+ | 5 | Hearty dishes like braised meats and rich casseroles | Complexity makes it a sophisticated choice for Thanksgiving. |
| Chardonnay | 2022 and 2023 are strong recent vintages |
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$20 - $50+ | 4-5 | Creamy mashed potatoes, roasted turkey, and buttery stuffing | Complements rich dishes beautifully. |
| Sauvignon Blanc | 2022 and 2024 have been noted as excellent recent vintages |
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$15 - $30 | 4 | Green bean casserole, salads, and herb-infused dishes | Adds a lively touch to your Thanksgiving meal. |
| Riesling | 2021 is a noteworthy recent vintage |
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$20 - $40 | 4-5 | Spicy stuffing, glazed carrots, and pumpkin dishes | Natural sweetness balances out the heat from dishes and enhances the meal's flavors. |
| Sancerre | The 2022 vintage is a great option |
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$30 - $60 | 4-5 | Roasted vegetables, creamy dips, and cheese platters | Excellent pairing with various side dishes. |
| Blanc de Noirs Champagne | Typically non-vintage (NV), but 2018 is a good recent vintage for Champagne. |
|
$50 - $100+ | 5 | Roasted turkey, creamy soups, and decadent desserts | Excellent choice for pairing with turkey and other Thanksgiving staples. |
| Prosecco | Primarily non-vintage (NV) to ensure a consistent style. |
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$15 - $25 | 3-4 | Cheese platters, crudités, and light seafood dishes | Ideal pairing for appetizers and hors d'oeuvres. |
| Cava | Mostly produced as a non-vintage (NV) wine. |
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$15 - $25 | 3-4 | Fried appetizers, charcuterie boards, and roasted vegetables | A versatile option for the Thanksgiving table. |
12 Best Thanksgiving Wines for 2025
Choosing the right wines for Thanksgiving means selecting bottles that complement the meal's variety, from turkey to savory and sweet sides. Opt for wines with bright acidity and a light to medium body. Red, white, sparkling, and rosé all work well. Read for more expert tips and insights!
Best Red Wines for Thanksgiving
Red wines are often the top choice for Thanksgiving because their rich flavor and versatility go well with different dishes. Here are our top picks:
1. Pinot Noir
- Why Choose: Pinot Noir's bright acidity and moderate tannins makes it the perfect "catch-all" red wine, capable of standing up to rich sides while not overpowering the turkey.
- Flavor Profile: Cherry, raspberry, cranberry, and subtle earthy notes.
- Best Paired With: Roasted turkey (dark and white meat), mushroom-herb stuffing, and creamy mashed potatoes.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve slightly chilled (around 55°F) in a premium wine fridge to enhance its vibrant acidity.
2. Zinfandel
- Why choose: Zinfandel's bold character and inherent spicy notes (black pepper, clove) create a congruent pairing, amplifying the savory and herbal elements commonly found in traditional Thanksgiving seasoning.
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Flavor Profile: Ripe black cherry, plum, blackberry, cinnamon, and savory pepper.
- Best Paired With: Dark meat turkey, bacon-wrapped green beans, and sausage or cornbread stuffing.
- Serving Suggestion: Decant for 30 minutes to soften the tannins and enhance the aromatic spice notes.
3. GSM/Rhône Blends
- Why choose: This full-bodied blend offers complexity and a robust, earthy structure that is strong enough to cut through gravy and stand up to more decadently prepared side dishes.
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Flavor Profile: Ripe dark fruit, earth, black olive, and baking spices.
- Best Paired With: Smoked or deep-fried turkey, gravy-laden dishes, root vegetable casseroles, and rich pâtés.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve at cellar temperature (around 60°F) in a large-bowled glass to capture the complex bouquet.
4. Beaujolais
- Why choose: Beaujolais' defining feature is a refreshing acidity and low tannin profile, making it a perfect complementary pairing for dishes with a hint of sweetness or high acidity.
- Flavor Profile: Light body, fresh red berries (strawberry, cherry), and slight floral aromatics.
- Best Paired With: Wild rice, vegetable sides, goat cheese salad, and tart cranberry sauce.
- Serving Suggestion: Best served significantly chilled (50–55°F), similar to a robust white wine. For storing red and white wines, choose dual-zone wine coolers like Loft 400.
5. Amarone della Valpolicella
- Why choose: This unique wine's richness is due to the appassimento (dried grapes) method, resulting in a complex, full-bodied structure suitable only for the heartiest, most intensely flavored parts of the meal.
- Flavor Profile: Dark fruit, raisin, chocolate, strong spice, and tobacco.
- Best Paired With: Braised meats, rich beef casseroles, dark chocolate desserts, or mature, hard cheeses after the main meal.
- Serving Suggestion: Decant for at least one hour to allow the complex bouquet to open fully.
Best Red Wines for Thanksgiving
White wines' crispness and diverse flavor profiles make them ideal for pairing with various dishes. Here are some excellent white wine choices for your holiday table:
6. Chardonnay
- Why Choose: Chardonnay is uniquely versatile for Thanksgiving, bridging the gap between delicate white meat and rich, buttery side dishes. Its texture, especially in oaked styles, creates a congruent pairing with creamy components.
- Flavor Profile: Apple, pear, melon, citrus, often with notes of vanilla and butter (if oaked).
- Best Paired With: Creamy mashed potatoes, buttery stuffing, roasted squash, and light meat turkey.
- Storage and Serving Suggestion: Serve lightly chilled (50–55°F). If it is an oak-aged style, avoid over-chilling, as this can dull the texture and flavor. Use Summit Dual Zone 118 Bottle Wine Cellar SWC1875B with automatic defrost.
7. Sauvignon Blanc
- Why Choose: Its signature bright acidity acts as a palate cleanser, cutting through the richness of heavy dishes. The wine's herbaceous notes naturally complement the fresh herbs (sage, thyme) used in stuffing and green sides.
- Flavor Profile: Lime, grapefruit, green apple, passionfruit, and sometimes a hint of grassiness or bell pepper.
- Best Paired With: Green bean casserole, herb-infused stuffing, raw vegetable appetizers, and dishes featuring high citrus components.
- Storage and Serving Suggestion: Serve very cold (45–50°F) to preserve its crispness and refreshing acidity. Choose Goguette Wine Fridge Large Single Zone that can maintain 41°F and 64°F climate.
8. Riesling
- Why Choose: Riesling's inherent balance of natural sweetness and high acidity is highly effective at managing complex, conflicting flavors like spicy heat, saltiness, and sweetness.
- Flavor Profile: Apricot, honey, green apple, peach, and pronounced minerality.
- Best Paired With: Spicy or highly seasoned stuffing, glazed carrots or yams, and lighter poultry dishes.
- Storage and Serving Suggestion: Store in Wine Guardian® Luxury "Ultimate Storage" and serve well-chilled (45°F). If a late-harvest (sweeter) style is selected, it should be served slightly cooler.
9. Sancerre
- Why Choose: Sancerre stands apart from other white wines for its characteristic flinty minerality and crisp acidity.
- Flavor Profile: Crisp citrus, green apple, and distinct, pronounced mineral notes.
- Best Paired With: Cheese platters (especially goat cheese), roasted vegetables, and creamy dips or spreads.
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Storage and Serving Suggestion: The ideal temperature for storing and serving Sancerre, and most white wines, is between 45° and 50°F (7° and 10°C). Store in Transtherm Double Ermitage Solid Black Full Shelf.
Sparkling Wine Recommendations for Thanksgiving
10. Blanc de Noirs Champagne
- Why Choose: This champagne style wine is richer and creamier than standard sparkling wine. Its robust structure and subtle notes of red fruit make it an ideal companion for the main poultry dish.
- Flavor Profile: Creamy texture, notes of red apple, strawberry, brioche, and hazelnut.
- Best Paired With: Roasted turkey, creamy mushroom soups, rich stuffing, and delicate desserts.
- Storage and Serving Suggestion: Serve well-chilled (45°F). This wine is rich enough to be served throughout the entire meal, not just as a celebratory toast. Keep opened wine bottles fresher, longer with WineKeeper Napa.
11. Prosecco
- Why Choose: Prosecco is lighter and typically has slightly more residual sugar (sweetness) than Champagne, making it an ideal complementary pairing for light appetizers and dishes with a touch of savory saltiness. Its effervescence is a perfect palate cleanser.
- Flavor Profile: Light body, fresh pear, green apple, honeydew, and white flower aromatics.
- Best Paired With: Appetizers (crudités, light seafood), mild cheese platters, and simple charcuterie boards.
- Storage and Serving Suggestion: Serve very cold (43–45°F). It is best enjoyed fresh, ideally within a year or two of release. For long-term wine storage, choose Le Cache Gallery 2400 Driftwood.
12. Cava
- Why Choose: Cava is produced using the same traditional method as Champagne, resulting in a crisp texture and a hint of toastiness that pairs exceptionally well with the rich, oily texture of fried or fatty appetizers, balancing the richness.
- Flavor Profile: Green apple, citrus, yeasty or toasted notes, and strong, lively bubbles.
- Best Paired With: Fried appetizers, charcuterie boards (especially cured meats), and roasted vegetables.
- Storage and Serving Suggestion: Store horizontally in a dark, cool place like Transtherm Wine Coolers Ermitage Solid Black Full Shelf. Serve cold (45°F) in flutes or tulip glasses to preserve the carbonation.
Classic Thanksgiving Food and Wine Pairings
From roasted turkey to sweet and savory sides, certain wines pair best with different dishes. Here are some classic food and wine pairings to help you build a menu for your Thanksgiving feast.
| Thanksgiving Food | Wine Partner | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Roast Turkey |
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These wines complement the savory meat without overpowering it. |
| Stuffing |
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Sangiovese's acidity cuts through the richness, while an off-dry Riesling can balance any sweet ingredients like apples or cranberries. |
| Cranberry Sauce |
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The acidity and fruit-forward notes in these wines are a great match for the tartness of cranberry sauce. |
| Mashed Potatoes |
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A creamy Chardonnay enhances the buttery texture, while lighter-bodied whites like Pinot Grigio add a refreshing brightness. |
| Pumpkin Pie |
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Sweet dessert wines enhance the pie’s spices and sweetness without being overpowering. |
Unique Thanksgiving Food and Wine Pairings
Thanksgiving is a time for tradition, but it can also be fun to shake things up with unexpected and unique wine and food pairings. These surprising pairs challenge the norm and enhance the flavors of your favorite dishes in delightful ways.
| Thanksgiving Food | Wine Partner | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Roast Turkey | Beaujolais | Beaujolais is a light, fruity red that complements the savory turkey, and its acidity cuts through the richness of the dish. |
| Stuffing | Zinfandel | Zinfandel's fruit-forward character and spicy notes create a harmonious balance with the savory herbs and spices in stuffing. |
| Cranberry Sauce | Riesling | The sweetness of the Riesling balances the tartness of the cranberry sauce, which enhances the dish's overall flavor profile. |
| Mashed Potatoes | Cabernet Sauvignon | The tannins in Cabernet Sauvignon complement the buttery richness of mashed potatoes, especially when served with a savory gravy. |
| Pumpkin Pie | Sparkling Rosé | The bubbles in sparkling rosé cleanse the palate, while the wine's fruity notes complement the spices in the pumpkin pie. |
Video: How to Make Mulled Wine
This mulled wine recipe from the world-renowed chef Gordon Ramsay will surely be a hit at your Thanksgiving (and Christmas) celebration. Its warm, spiced flavors will create a cozy ambiance that perfectly complements the holiday spirit.
Video: Easy Batch Cocktails to Make for Thanksgiving Dinner
Hosting Thanksgiving? Keep it simple and stress-free with batch cocktails. You can prepare these drinks ahead of time using festive seasonal ingredients like apple cider, cranberry, cinnamon, and ginger. Here are some easy recipes from ABC Fine Wine & Spirits to get you started.
4 Tips: How to Choose the Right Wine for Thanksgiving
With a few essential tips, you can create a harmonious pairing that will delight your guests' diverse and discerning tastes.
1. Cater to Your Guests
To ensure everyone has a drink they'll love, offer a few different options.
- Offer Variety: A good rule of thumb is to have at least one red, one white, and a sparkling wine available.
- Keep Classic Crowd-Pleasers: You can't go wrong with a light-bodied red like Pinot Noir and a versatile white like Chardonnay.
- Consider Dietary Needs: Don't forget to ask if any guests have specific preferences, such as a need for vegan wine options.
2. Pair Wine with the Food
The key to a great pairing is balance. You want a wine that complements the food, not one that overpowers it.
- For Roast Turkey, choose a medium-bodied red like Pinot Noir or a rich white like Chardonnay.
- For Savory Sides like stuffing and mashed potatoes, try an earthy Zinfandel or a crisp Sauvignon Blanc.
- For Sweet Dishes like cranberry sauce or pumpkin pie, an off-dry Riesling or a sparkling Prosecco works wonderfully.
3. Use Acidity to Cut Through Richness
Thanksgiving meals are full of rich, heavy foods. A wine with good acidity can cleanse the palate and make the next bite taste just as good as the first.
- A crisp Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc can cut through the richness of buttery mashed potatoes and gravy.
- A bright, high-acidity red like Gamay or Beaujolais offers a refreshing contrast to hearty stuffing and other savory dishes.
4. Serve Wine at the Right Temperature
Serving temperature directly impacts the wine's flavor and aroma.
- Red Wines: Serve slightly cool, between 60-65°F. This prevents the alcohol from tasting too strong.
- White Wines: Chill to around 50-55°F. To avoid muting the flavors, take the bottle out of the fridge about 20 minutes before serving.
- Sparkling Wines: Serve well-chilled at about 45°F to maintain their crisp bubbles.
Pro Tips for Serving and Storing
- Proper Storage: Use a quality wine fridge or cooler to keep your wine at the perfect temperature.
- Save Leftovers: An unfinished bottle can be saved with a wine preservation system, which prevents the wine from oxidizing and spoiling.
Quick Summary: 2025 Thanksgiving Wines
Whether you prefer classic pairings like Pinot Noir with turkey or want to surprise your guests with something unexpected like sparkling rosé with pumpkin pie, choosing the best Thanksgiving wine can elevate your meal. Don't hesitate to explore both traditional and creative pairings to find what works best for you and your guests.
We'd love to hear from you! Share your favorite wines and food pairings for Thanksgiving and let us know what you'll be serving this year in the comments below.
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