Wondering what wine to serve with Thanksgiving dinner? This simple, no-fuss guide covers the best Thanksgiving wine pairings. From red, white, sparkling, rosé, and even a few bold wild cards. Whether you’re serving roast turkey, buttery mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing, or cranberry sauce, this post will help you confidently choose wines that elevate your meal without overwhelming it. All wines featured are affordable, easy to find in North America, and tested to perfection by a recipe developer and home entertaining expert (that’s me!).
From Pinot Noir to Riesling, sparkling wine to rosé, I’ve tested dozens of pairings over the years, hosted countless Thanksgiving dinners, and done the homework so you don’t have to.
Table of Contents
- Why You Can Trust This Thanksgiving Wine Guide
- Thanksgiving Wine Pairing Made Easy
- Thanksgiving Wine Pairing Chart
- Other Wine Guides to Check Out
- Final Thoughts on Thanksgiving Wines
- Connect With Me
Why You Can Trust This Thanksgiving Wine Guide
As a recipe developer, lifestyle and home entertaining expert, and someone who’s hosted everything from small, intimate dinners to 20+ person holiday feasts, I know how important it is to simplify entertaining. I’ve tested these pairings personally, both for my own events and professional recipe development projects. This post is designed to help you skip the guesswork and feel confident about your Thanksgiving wine choices.
Whether you’re looking for the best wine for turkey, a crowd-pleasing red wine, or a sparkling wine to kick off the meal, I’ve got you covered with simple, affordable, flavorful suggestions that pair beautifully with classic Thanksgiving flavors.
Thanksgiving Wine Pairing Made Easy
Thanksgiving is all about variety: savory, sweet, salty, herby, buttery, and tangy all show up on the same plate. That’s why flexible, food-friendly wines work best.
Here are my top categories
Best Red Wine for Thanksgiving: Pinot Noir
- Why it works: Light-bodied, juicy, and earthy with notes of cranberry, cherry, and spice that play well with turkey, stuffing, and roasted veggies.
- Try: Meiomi Pinot Noir (California), Erath (Oregon), or Bogle Pinot Noir
- Tip: Slightly chill your Pinot Noir for 15–20 minutes before serving—it brings out its bright notes!
Best Sparkling Wine for Thanksgiving: Brut or Rosé Sparkling
- Why it works: Sparkling wines cleanse the palate, cut through rich sides, and feel festive.
- Try: Mumm Napa Brut Prestige, Chandon Rosé, or La Marca Prosecco
- Tip: Sparkling rosé is especially great if your menu includes ham or cranberry-heavy sides.
Best Sparkling Wine for Thanksgiving: Brut or Rosé Sparkling
- Why it works: Sparkling wines cleanse the palate, cut through rich sides, and feel festive.
- Try: Mumm Napa Brut Prestige, Chandon Rosé, or La Marca Prosecco
- Tip: Sparkling rosé is especially great if your menu includes ham or cranberry-heavy sides.
Best Wild Card: Orange Wine or Beaujolais
- Orange wine: Made by fermenting white grapes with skins, it’s funky, earthy, and great with rich flavors.
- Beaujolais (esp. Beaujolais-Villages): Bright and fruity, similar to Pinot Noir but often more budget-friendly.
Thanksgiving Wine Pairing Chart
| Dish or Course | Wine Recommendation | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Roasted Turkey (main) | Pinot Noir, Chardonnay | Light and savory—complements without overpowering |
| Mashed Potatoes + Gravy | Sparkling wine, Chardonnay | Acid balances richness |
| Cranberry Sauce | Riesling, Rosé | Sweet + tart pairs with fruity, aromatic wines |
| Stuffing (herb-based) | Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc | Earthy and herbal notes pair well |
| Sweet Potatoes or Yams | Gewürztraminer, Sparkling Rosé | Spiced, sweet notes need aromatic or bubbly wines |
| Green Bean Casserole | Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay | Crisp wines cut through creamy textures |
| Ham (if serving) | Rosé, Riesling | Acid + fruit complement the salt and sweet glazes |
| Pumpkin or Pecan Pie | Late Harvest Riesling, Port, Moscato | Rich and sweet wines echo the dessert flavors |
Wine Buying Tips for Thanksgiving
Don’t overthink vintage—look for well-known labels or regions (California, Oregon, Washington, France).
Buy a mix of red, white, and sparkling to please different palates.
Chill red wines slightly—especially Pinot Noir and Beaujolais—for the best flavor experience.
Skip the bold reds like Cabernet or Syrah—they can overpower Thanksgiving dishes.
Sparkling wines aren’t just for toasts—they pair with almost everything on the table!
Other Wine Guides to Check Out
- A Simple Guide to Different Types of Table Wine
- Sweet Red Wine Pairing Guide for the Holidays
- Malbec vs Cabernet Sauvignon: Simple Red Wine Guide
- Best Sweet White Wine Types to Try
- Sauvignon Blanc vs. Pinot Grigio: A Simple Wine Guide
Thanksgiving Wine FAQs
Final Thoughts on Thanksgiving Wines
Whether you’re pouring a brut sparkling wine to kick off your meal, or sipping a juicy Pinot Noir alongside stuffing and turkey, the right wine brings warmth, conversation, and celebration to your table. The key is choosing wines that complement—not compete with—the variety on your plate.
So go ahead, keep it simple, flavorful, and festive. Choose a few bottles from this list and enjoy creating special moments around your table.
Happy Thanksgiving! Cheers to great food, great wine, and even better company!
Connect With Me
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Christopher is a food and lifestyle expert, recipe developer and the content creator behind May Eighty Five. With over 6 years of creating recipes for your favourite food brands, he also shares tips, tricks and how to’s that he has learnt over the years. Every week, he shares quick, simple and mostly healthy recipes along with some home and entertaining tips. You will find flavorful cocktails, delicious appetizers, tasty mains and some indulgent desserts.
