16 Tasty Wines That Pair Perfectly With Thanksgiving (And 1 To Avoid)

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

Sarah's Vineyard 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:

J Cuvee 20 Brut

Reginato Brut Blanc

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:

Nicholas Feuillatte Brut Rosé

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:

Eroica Riesling

Urban Riesling 2014

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:

Materra Sauvignon Blanc

Amici Saubignon Blanc

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:

Boneshaker Zinfandel

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:

Shane Syrah

Taltarni Shiraz

8. Pinot Grigio

Pinot Grigio pairs well with garlic, onion, and meals high in fat. In other words, perfect for Thanksgiving.

Wines to try:

Foris Pinot Gris

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!