For most of us, Thanksgiving means one thing: Turkey—the big bird—surrounded by a myriad of colorful, flavorful side dishes. From salty to sweet to savory, these dishes can make choosing the right Thanksgiving wine a real challenge. So here’s some help.
Red Wines
Although turkey is white meat and many people instinctively reach for a white wine, don’t rule out reds—just avoid tannic ones at all costs. Tannins will overpower the bird and clash with the sweetness in many side dishes.
My top red choice: Beaujolais Nouveau.
This is the first wine released after the vintage, so look for the newest bottles. It always arrives during the third week of November—perfect timing for Thanksgiving. Light, fruity, and refreshing, it offers cherry and raspberry aromas with hints of bubble gum and banana. Low in tannin and delicious slightly chilled, it’s one of the few reds that work beautifully with turkey. If you can’t find Beaujolais Nouveau, a Beaujolais Villages is a great alternative.
Second choice: Pinot Noir.
Elegant and seductive, Pinot Noir offers flavors of strawberry, black cherry, leather, and mushrooms. If budget allows, explore Burgundy (expect at least $50 for a good village bottle; more for Premier Cru or Grand Cru). For a more fruit-forward style, look to the New World—New Zealand, California, or Oregon. Its bright acidity makes it an excellent match for turkey and even duck.
Third choice: California Zinfandel.
For those who want a fuller-bodied red, Zinfandel is fruit-forward, plush, and proudly American. With generous alcohol and flavors of figs, prunes, and raisins, it's anything but shy—and a festive choice for the holiday.
If you prefer rosé, turkey pairs wonderfully with dry rosé from the South of France or Spain (where it’s known as rosado).
And if you can, try rosé sparkling wine—Champagne, Prosecco, or New World bubbly. The acidity will cleanse the palate, and truly, everything tastes better with bubbles.
White Wines
If you must have white with white meat, here are three excellent choices:
1. German Riesling (Kabinett or Spätlese – off-dry).
Riesling is delicate, floral, and crisp with a gentle sweetness that complements sweet Thanksgiving sides like cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie, and roasted carrots. It’s typically low in alcohol, especially from the cool Mosel region—so it won’t knock you out after one glass!
2. Gewürztraminer (Alsace).
Aromatic and expressive, with notes of lychee, rose, and orange blossom. Compared to Riesling, it has more body, higher alcohol, and a spicy profile. Don’t let the aromas fool you—Alsace Gewürztraminers are usually dry, though late-harvest (VT) versions offer sweetness.
3. Chardonnay (California or Australia).
If you enjoy oak, creaminess, and buttery notes, these will pair wonderfully with turkey. Think “big with big”—rich wine with a hearty meal.
Dessert Wines
With dessert, consider something sweet and fortified—Port or Sherry. With alcohol between 15.5% and 20%, these wines beautifully complement pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie, pecan pie, coconut custard pie, and more. Choose a Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) Port, or for Sherry, a sweet Oloroso.
Brand Recommendations
German Riesling (Mosel): Dr. Loosen, Selbach-Oster Kabinett, JJ Prüm, Egon Müller, Balthasar Ress
Alsace Gewürztraminer: Hugel et Fils, Trimbach, Lucien Albrecht, Weinbach
California Chardonnay: Kendall-Jackson, Chateau St. Jean, Beringer
Sparkling Rosé / Rosé Champagne / Prosecco Rosé: Lamberti, Pol Roger Rosé, Ruinart Rosé, Gloria Ferrer, Taittinger Rosé, Krug Rosé
Still Rosé: El Coto Rosado, Muga Rosado, Hecht & Bannier Rosé, Jaboulet P45 Rosé
Beaujolais Nouveau / Villages: Georges Duboeuf, Louis Jadot, Joseph Drouhin
New World Pinot Noir: Matua, Babich
Burgundy Pinot Noir: Domaine Faiveley, Louis Jadot, Méo-Camuzet, Jacques Prieur
California Zinfandel: Ravenswood, Rancho Zabaco, Ridge
Ports: Quinta do Crasto LBV, Churchill’s LBV, Dow’s LBV, Graham’s
Sherries: Lustau, Barbadillo, Sánchez Romate, González Byass (ensure they are sweet)
Salud, Santé, Cheers, and Happy Thanksgiving!
Silvina
*prices vary per brand, and some of them can cost $30 and above (Burgundy, Champagne, Sherries for example).
