Thanksgiving brings one of the most diverse food spreads of the year, which also makes it the perfect holiday for wine. With turkey, herbs, sweet elements, creamy dishes, and roasted vegetables on the table, choosing the right bottles can feel challenging. Here is a simple guide to help you build a reliable and crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving wine lineup.
1. Start With Sparkling Wine
Sparkling wine is festive, refreshing, and pairs well with almost everything on the table. It also works perfectly as an aperitif when guests arrive.
Recommended bottles:
- Crémant de Loire or Crémant d’Alsace
- Prosecco Superiore DOCG
- Brut Rosé
Buy at least two bottles since sparkling wine tends to disappear quickly.
2. Choose a Versatile White Wine
Thanksgiving dishes are often rich, so you want a white wine with enough acidity to balance out the meal.
Best options:
- Dry or off-dry Riesling
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Chenin Blanc
Avoid heavily oaked Chardonnay unless you know your guests prefer that style.
3. Pick a Fruit-Forward Red Wine
Choose reds that are soft, balanced, and won’t overpower the turkey.
Reliable choices:
- Pinot Noir
- Beaujolais or Cru Beaujolais
- Gamay from Oregon
These wines also taste excellent with a slight chill.
4. Add a Dry Rosé
A dry rosé is an excellent Thanksgiving option. It works well with turkey, cranberry sauce, and herb-heavy dishes.
Look for rosé from:
- Provence
- Spain (Rosado)
- Sonoma or Central Coast California
5. Include a Dessert Wine
Thanksgiving desserts like pumpkin pie, pecan pie, and apple crumble pair beautifully with sweeter wines.
Top picks:
- Late Harvest Riesling
- Moscato d’Asti
- Tokaji
How Much Wine to Buy
A simple guideline:
- One bottle per adult
- One extra bottle as backup
- Two bottles of sparkling wine
Thanksgiving meals are long, so having a little extra is always helpful.
Final Thanksgiving Wine Lineup
A fool-proof selection includes:
- One sparkling wine
- One crisp white wine
- One light red wine
- One dry rosé
- One dessert wine
This combination pairs with any Thanksgiving menu and ensures every guest has something they enjoy.
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