16 Tasty Wines That Pair Perfectly With Thanksgiving (And 1 To Avoid)
Whether planning to pair with your own meal, or bringing wine along as a guest, you won't go wrong with any of these choices.
1. Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is THE classic Thanksgiving dinner pairing. With earthy flavors and cranberry/cherry notes, Pinot Noir picks up on the tartness of your cranberry sauce while pairing well with your mushroom-based stuffing.
Wines to try:
Lincourt Anne Amie Block 7.1 Pinot Noir
2. Sparkling Wine/Champagne
Sparking wine and Champagne are the new trend to sip with your Thanksgiving meal. Many have a high acidity, which pairs well with much of the traditional Thanksgiving menu. And, given the wide variety of flavors present on the traditional Thanksgiving plate, a sparking wine can serve as a nice palate cleanser between bites. But, most importantly, bubbles=FESTIVE!
Wines/Champagnes to try:
3. Brut Rosé
Brut Rosé (sparkling rosé) provides a nice mix of traditional + trendy. It has the elements appreciated from a fruity red and the high-acid bubbles of a champagne!
Wines to try:
Llopart Cava Reserva Brut Rosé
4. Riesling
Riesling is another high-acid option that's mildly sweet. Pairing well with salty, spicy, and sweet, it should complement most of your Thanksgiving plate.
Wines to try:
5. Sauvignon Blanc
Sauv Blanc is another high-acid, slightly sweet option for those that prefer lighter wine. With more citrus-based flavors, this pairs nicely with herbs found in stuffing or roasted turkey.
Wines to try:
6. Zinfandel
Zinfandel offers an option for those who love fuller-bodied reds. This wine can handle spice and bitter flavor profiles and really accentuates those spices we associate with Thanksgiving (clove, allspice, and cinnamon).
Be careful with Zinfandel--many have a higher alcohol content. Check your ABV or you and your guests might have more than the turkey to blame for your post-meal coma.
Wines to try:
Peachy Canyon Westside Zinfandel
7. Syrah and Shiraz
Syrah and Shiraz wines are a spicier red option that pair well with most meats and really highlight peppery flavor profiles.
Wines to try:
8. Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio pairs well with garlic, onion, and meals high in fat. In other words, perfect for Thanksgiving.
Wines to try:
Alois Lageder Dolomitti Pinot Grigio
9. Bonus: Experts Say Avoid Chardonnay
The delicate buttery and oakey flavors present in Chardonnays can't stand up to the strong flavors of a traditional Thanksgiving meal. So bringing one of these is definitely a, ahem, Chardon-NO!