Selecting the best wines for Thanksgiving is easier than ever with this easy guide to turkey pairings. Turkey and pumpkin pie may be the stars of the show on Thanksgiving, but your Thanksgiving menu won’t be complete until you start pouring the wine. Whether you’re serving roast turkey, smoked turkey, or an indulgent fried turkey, this list has you covered.
What Wine Goes with Thanksgiving Dinner?
Turkey is such a tasty meat, but isn’t it funny that most of us only cook a whole turkey around the holidays? That makes dreaming up the perfect turkey wine pairing tricky. And, finding the right wine for your feast isn’t just about the bird—you will need a crowd-pleasing wine that goes with all of the delicious side dishes and makes all of your guests happy too.
But with so many different wines to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why your favorite wine copywriter has put together this guide to help you select the best wines for Thanksgiving, no matter your taste or budget.
You will also discover recommendations for sparkling wines and bottles of red that will go great with all of your favorite Thanksgiving side dishes.
So relax, pour yourself a glass of wine, and let me help you plan the perfect feast.
Roast Turkey Wine Pairing
When most people plan their traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Menu, they do so around a classic roast turkey: crispy skin, moist meat and pan gravy made from the drippings.
Here are a few of my favorites to enjoy with a classic roasted turkey.
Beaujolais / Gamay Noir
Gamay is a good choice for roast turkey because its light-bodied fruit flavors complement the turkey’s delicate flavor without overpowering it. The wine’s high acidity also helps to cut through the richness of the turkey and side dishes.
Everyone at your meal will love this delicate, juicy wine, and it’s also one of the most budget-friendly red wines you can serve at Thanksgiving. Other reasons you should try Gamey: it pairs nicely with the most popular holiday side dishes. So if mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, and grandma’s green bean casserole are in your future, this grape is about to be your new best friend.
Pro Tip: When choosing a Gamay for Thanksgiving, look for a wine that is labeled as “Beaujolais” or “Gamay Noir.” These are typically made from the Gamay grape, which is the best grape for pairing with turkey. You may also want to look for a wine that is from the Beaujolais region of France, as this is where Gamay is traditionally grown.
Here are a few of my favorite bottles:
Pax Mahle makes a few Gamays but my favorite is the Alpine Peaks Gamay. If that wine is sold out, all of the Pax Gamays are excellent. The Bearg Ranch Gamay is silky and light with notes of plums, cinnamon, and dark berry fruit. Simply luxurious.
Lush, acidic, brambly & wild. Dark fruits mixed with bright cranberries make for one super approachable wine. Stolpman Vineyards wines can be purchased at Whole Foods, or through the vineyard website. I just visited this winery’s downtown Los Olivos wine tasting room, and can attest that the most recent vintage is stellar.
Gros Ventre Cellars Gamay Noir
Notes of bright red fruit, cranberries, plums, cherries and a hint of anise work in harmony with the high acidity in this bottle. A pure expression of Gamay that will crown you the Queen of Thanksgiving wine.
Fuller Bodied White Wine
Medium to full-bodied white wines go well with roast turkey, and they’re crowd-pleasers too.
Chardonnay is the go-to for a lot of folks, and if you want to go that route, the lemon cream profile on this Chard from Massican is terrific with turkey.
If you want to try something a little outside the box, I recommend Massican’s Annia, which is a blend of Tocai Friulano 51%, Ribolla Gialla 33%, Chardonnay 16%. Layers of rich lemon, peaches and sea foam abound. This wine will go with all of the dishes on the table, and you can pick it up right at your local Whole Foods, or order direct from the winery.
Best Wines with Fried Turkey
Need an excuse to pull out a few sparkling wines for Thanksgiving? If you’re frying a turkey this year, now is your chance. Deep-fried turkey always calls for a little bubbly. Don’t even think about it. Just grab your favorite sparkling wines, place them on the Thanksgiving table, and watch those faces light up.
This wine pairing works because the acidity in Champagne cuts through the fatty deep-fried turkey skin.
My Favorite Sparkling Wines for Thanksgiving
Roederer Estate Brut is excellent, and it won’t break the bank. You can find it at your neighborhood grocery store or Costco for between $22-$30 a bottle.
Gruet, a sparkler from New Mexico, can’t be beat for under $20 a bottle. If you’ve checked out my article on ‘How Much Wine to Serve per Person’, you know I love recommending this one.
And, if you simply must have Champagne. How about Ruinart Blanc de Blanc? White peaches, pineapple and lemon, make for a delightfully crisp palate. $75-$90 a bottle, depending on where and when you buy it.
Wines for Smoked Turkey
Smoked turkey is so succulent it should be illegal. Pair smoked turkey with dry Riesling or GSM blend inspired by Southern Rhône.
California Riesling
Even if your bird is roasted, Riesling is one of the easiest turkey pairings. Select a dry Riesling, rather than a sweet one, because this style will go with all of those yummy side dishes like savory stuffing.
I like every bottle I’ve ever had of Cobb Wines. This “Cole Ranch Vineyard” Riesling is a classic in the making. Crisp green apples, light stone fruits and a vibrant palate.
Smith-Madrone is an iconic Napa winery, and lately I’ve been a little obsessed with their Rieslings. Enjoy notes of tart peach, apricot, and woodsy pine.
Rhône blends (AKA G-S-M blends)
Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre are the heart of France’s Southern Rhône region, but California produces some great red Rhône blends too, and not surprisingly, they are a great answer to the “what red wine goes with Thanksgiving” conundrum. GSM blends are rich, ripe, and a touch bold.
Tablas Creek, 2020 Cotes de Tablas
This blend of Grenache, Syrah, Counoise, and Mourvèdre has generous red fruit aromas complemented by notes of baking spice. The palate is bright cherry, raspberry, plum skin, and cocoa powder with an arresting streak of minerality. In other words, it’s pretty good, and a great smoked turkey wine pairing.
Le P’tit Paysan Le P’tit Pape 2019
Le’ P’tit Paysan is Monterey County winemaker extraordinaire Ian Brand’s most accessible label. These cost-effective choices may be value-driven, but they are still 100% delicious. Lots going on in this bottle, including cherries, plum skins, and smoky chaparral, black olives, and wet stone.
I. Brand & Family Syrah/Mourvedre/Grenache, Chalone 2019
Because his wines are that good, Ian Brand deserves two shout-outs. This GSM blend from his I. Brand & Family label is as good as it gets when it comes to Thanksgiving wine.
The Ultimate Best Red Wine for Thanksgiving
No list of Thanksgiving wines would be complete without Pinot Noir. It’s no secret that just about everyone loves a good Pinot. The rich fruit flavor and deep earthy quality have made this grape a favorite for generations.
Here are a few of my favorite Pinot Noirs to serve at Thanksgiving:
- Freeman Pinot Noir, Russian River: An exciting palate of cherry, rhubarb, blackberries, and wet earth.
- Littorai Pinot Noir: Everything Ted Lemon touches is gold, and you can’t go wrong with any of his Pinot Noirs.
- Domaine Serene, Yamhill Cuvée: Silky and a little spicy, with a palate of red cherries and wet forest floor. The finish on this Pinot is rich and satisfying.
FAQ
Is red or white wine better with turkey?
Both red and white wine can be delicious with turkey, what really matters is what you like. While a lot of people like light-bodied reds like Gamay and Pinot Noir, because they are so versatile, don’t be afraid to go with a white wine like Chardonnay, Riesling, or Sauvignon Blanc, if that’s more your style.
What is the best wine for Thanksgiving?
Many sommeliers will tell you that Pinot Noir, Syrah, Zinfandel, and other easy-drinking red wines make a great choice for Turkey Day. But, you can also go with a nice sparkling wine, or food-friendly white wine.