The Thanksgiving holiday is a time to relax with friends and family, and to reflect on reasons to be thankful. One aspect is the successful wine grape harvests around the world, which provide an opportunity to pair delicious wines with the Thanksgiving turkey.
However, turkey is not the easiest meat to match wine, because it has both the delicate, textured white meat, as well as the more savory, moist brown meat. Plus all the side dishes, including stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, gravy and more, make it a rather complex meal for wine pairing. But there are some wine varieties and styles that do work perfectly, and it makes sense to pick up a few different ones for guests to try.
Table 1 lists the top ten wine varieties/styles to pair with Thanksgiving turkey, as well as the side dishes. These wines will also work with plant-based turkeys, because they often have similar flavor profiles to meat turkeys, though may have a different texture. For Thanksgiving, the key is to select lighter bodied wines with crisp acidity, a fruit-forward profile, and no to little oak.
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means it’s time to start planning your menu and thinking about what wine will pair best with your turkey and side dishes. With so many different flavors on the table, from savory to sweet, finding the right wine can be a daunting task. No need to stress – we’ve got you covered with the perfect wine recommendations to complement your Thanksgiving feast!
Focus on Versatile Reds and Whites
When pairing wine with turkey, you want wines that will complement the flavor of the bird rather than overpower it. Lean towards versatile reds and whites that feature fruit-forward flavors and medium body This allows them to pair well with both white and dark turkey meat, gravy, vegetables, cranberry sauce and more.
On the red side, Grenache Pinot Noir and Zinfandel are popular choices for good reason as is Beaujolais. These varietals offer red fruit flavors that bring out the best in your Thanksgiving favorites. For white wines, dry or off-dry Riesling, Viognier and Chenin Blanc are smart picks. Their brightness and acidity offsets the richness of the meal beautifully.
Don’t Forget Bubbly!
An excellent option for Thanksgiving is sparkling wine! The crisp effervescence of bubbly wines pair impeccably with appetizers, turkey and many side dishes. Offer your guests a glass of Cava, Prosecco, Champagne or domestic sparkling wine as a festive start to the meal Bubbly is a can’t-miss pairing with the Thanksgiving spread
Pick Wines from Food-Friendly Regions
When selecting your Thanksgiving wines, look for bottles from regions known for food-friendly, easy drinking wines like the following:
-
Pinot Noir – Willamette Valley, Oregon; Sonoma Coast, California
-
Zinfandel – Paso Robles, California; Lodi, California
-
Grenache – Southern Rhone, France; McLaren Vale, Australia
-
Riesling – Mosel, Germany; Finger Lakes, New York
-
Chenin Blanc – Vouvray, Loire Valley, France; South Africa
-
Sparkling Wines – Champagne, France; Cava, Spain; Prosecco, Italy
Wines from these regions consistently offer the bright fruit, vibrant acidity and smooth tannins that pair beautifully with Thanksgiving dinner.
Complement Your Entire Menu
When we think of Thanksgiving wine, we often just consider the turkey. But you want wines that will complement your entire meal, from appetizers through dessert. With that in mind:
-
Lighter reds like Pinot Noir and Grenache work well with cheese, charcuterie and vegetable appetizers.
-
Crisp, acidic whites pair nicely with shellfish like oysters or shrimp cocktail.
-
Fruit-forward reds match well with dark turkey meat, gravy and herbed stuffing.
-
Brighter whites complement white turkey meat, creamed corn and mashed potatoes.
-
Sparkling wines tie everything together!
-
Sweeter whites like Riesling pair beautifully with pumpkin, apple or pecan pie.
Give Guests Options
With different preferences at the table, it’s smart to offer a few different wine options. Give guests a choice between a light-bodied red, fuller-bodied white and a sparkling wine. You may want to include a sweet wine for those who prefer it with dessert.
Just be sure to choose food-friendly, crowd-pleasing options. Classics like Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Beaujolais offer familiar flavors for picky wine drinkers. And who doesn’t love bubbly? Providing wine variety at Thanksgiving ensures everyone can enjoy a glass perfectly paired with their meal.
Buy Smart
Thanksgiving wines don’t need to be expensive. Many of the best options for turkey and all the trimmings are reasonably priced. Here are tips for choosing quality bottles on a budget:
-
Seek out wines from lesser-known regions within classic winemaking areas. For example, an Oregon Pinot Noir from the Umpqua Valley will likely cost less than one from Willamette Valley.
-
Consider alternative grapes like Grenache instead of Pinot Noir or Riesling rather than Chardonnay.
-
Buy from national retailers that offer exclusive brands only available through their store. The buying power of big box stores gets you quality at lower costs.
-
Shop sales and closeout deals at local wine shops and online retailers. You can find markdowns on great wines.
-
Buy 3 months in advance when wines are released to get the best deals.
With a little advance planning, you can secure excellent Thanksgiving wines for $15-$25 per bottle.
Choose Crowd-Pleasers
Not everyone loves really bold, heavy wines. When selecting Thanksgiving wines, it’s smart to choose more mainstream, easy-drinking options that will appeal to a range of palates at the table. Food-friendly wines like these are perfect crowd-pleasers:
-
Pinot Noir – Cherry, plum, earthy medium-bodied red
-
Riesling – Peach, apricot, zippy high-acid white
-
Grenache – Strawberry, peppery, mellow red
-
Beaujolais – Juicy cherry, smooth, light red
-
Sparkling Wines – Bright citrus, crisp bubbly
Even novice wine drinkers will enjoy these familiar flavor profiles. The soft tannins and fruit-forward nature make them accessible and delicious. When in doubt, you can always rely on these easy-drinking wines for Thanksgiving.
Don’t Overthink It!
Finding the perfect Thanksgiving wines can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Tasty food-friendly wines that complement turkey and fixings are readily available. Focus on bright, fruit-forward bottles in the $15-$25 range from well-known regions. Give guests a few different options and you’re sure to please every palate. Most importantly, choose wines you enjoy drinking. Part of wine’s magic is how it enhances the joy of gathering with loved ones. Whatever you uncork this Thanksgiving, may it spark meaningful connections around the table and create memories to cherish. Cheers!
White Wines to Pair with Turkey
These three white wines all exhibit aromatic floral notes, along with fresh vibrant fruit. They create an exciting combination with the white meat of turkey and spicy herb stuffing. If you insist on chardonnay, then select a lighter un-oaked style with fresh vibrant fruit. However, big, buttery oaked chardonnays often make a good pairing with apple pie, and sauvignon blanc may match veggie dishes.
- Riesling – always a classic with Thanksgiving meals, rieslings show notes of peach, lemon, and white blossoms. They can be dry, semi-sweet, and sweet. All three styles will work, because of the high acid and fruitiness found in these wines. Consider rieslings from Germany, New York, and Washington state.
- Chenin Blanc – once popular in the 1980’s, chenin blanc is surging back into style again. With its attractive floral, honey, pear and apple notes with crisp acidity, it is very appealing for Thanksgiving. Like riesling, it can be dry, semi-sweet and sweet. Consider chenin blancs from South Africa, the Loire Valley, California and Texas.
- Viognier – the more voluptuous older sister to chenin blanc, viognier exhibits similar floral and honey notes, but also has a touch of spice and white peach. Often medium-bodied, it can easily stand up to both white and brown turkey, as well as many of the side dishes. Consider viognier from France, Virginia and California.
Sparkling/Rosé Wines to Pair with Turkey
These three sparkling/rosé wines will pair well with turkey because of the fresh acidity in the wines, but also the fruity notes. The acid will help cleanse the palate, and cut through the savory notes in the brown meat, stuffing, and gravy. The fruit-forward profile of these wines will help balance the drier texture of the white meat, and pick up the spices in the cranberry sauce. If you insist on Champagne or a drier white sparkling wine, then pair that with appetizers. MORE FROM
- Sparkling Red or Rosé – though it is not that common to find a sparkling red wine, there are some available, and they pair well with turkey. Ask your local retailer for Lambrusco from Italy, sparkling Shiraz from Australia, or red sparklers from some U.S. producers. A darker pink, fruity, sparkling rosé will also work well.
- Pét-nat Orange Wine – these wines are orange in color because they have been fermented on the grape skins. They also have bubbles, but usually less than sparkling wine. Many of these are considered to be “natural wines,” and have delicious fruity aromas of dried apricot, lemon, lime, and flowers. They also have a heavier mouthfeel that works well with both white and brown turkey meat, stuffing, and sweet potatoes. Sometimes they taste similar to an IPA beer.
- Darker Fruity Rosé – turkey doesn’t pair as well with the bone dry pale rosés. Instead look for a darker pink rosé with a fruity profile of raspberry and plum. Consider the Tavel region of France, or bolder rosés from other parts of the world.
What wine goes with the turkey?
FAQ
What kind of wine goes with turkey on Thanksgiving?
Does turkey go with red or white wine?
Does Pinot Grigio go with turkey dinner?