Traditional Thanksgiving meals tend to feature rich, savory dishes. You need a versatile list of wines to pair with the variety of foods being served at your Thanksgiving table. Here is a short list of wines that will pair well with your Thanksgiving meal. The wines at my own Thanksgiving table are coming from this list. Whether you prefer whites or reds, there’s something for everyone and many dish options on this Thanksgiving wine pairing list.
Riesling
2014 Chateau Ste Michelle Riesling ($9)
The nose on this Columbia Valley wine smells of green apples, honey, and a hint of fresh floral notes. The palate is clean, crisp, with medium acidity, and green apples and honey. It pairs well with Brie, sweet potatoes, turkey, and stuffing, although it can also be easily enjoyed on its own.
Chardonnay
2014 Davis Bynum Chardonnay ($25)
The 2014 Davis Bynum Chardonnay has sensual aromas of baked apple and pears, pineapple, lemon, and fresh spring flowers. On the palate, the wine has a nutty brioche with baking spices and ends with a rounded medium-long finish that is balanced with acidity and a rich, nutty creaminess. The 2014 Davis Bynum Chardonnay is perfection paired with creamy cheeses, cheese or vegetable ravioli, or grilled veal chops and mushrooms. I paired it with fresh brie and fig spread over Raincoast Crisps Cranberry & Hazelnut as a delightful appetizer. You’re welcome for that suggestion. Actually, thank my kids. They picked the appetizer. I chose the wine to pair for my own enjoyment.
Pinot Gris
2015 Left Coast Cellars The Orchards Pinot Gris ($18)
Super zesty with apple aromas and lively grapefruit and honeydew melon. Crisp minerality yet balanced acidity make this the perfect wine to pair with an appetizer of cheeses and fresh fruit. Works great with mango and other tropical flavors over white fish or chicken, too, for more non-traditional Thanksgiving fare.
Pinot Noir
2015 Angeline Vineyards California Pinot Noir ($14)
This Pinot Noir is a panoply of aromas including fresh cranberries, maraschino cherries, and orange zest. The palate is flush, juicy, and well-rounded with healthy, bright acidity with soft tannins and a hint of warm, toasted oak on the long finish. An unbelievable value for under $15 a bottle. It will pair well with any savory holiday meal: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or other.
Merlot
2013 Hall Napa Valley Merlot ($28)
This merlot is full of bright red fruits with a soft, lush body. Floral and fruit-forward, this merlot features aromas of rose petal, lush ripe raspberry, cranberry, milk chocolate, and hints of eucalyptus with embers and vanilla in the oakiness of this wine. Pair this with rack of lamb or another dish with a hint of a gamey notes.
Zinfandel
2014 Troon Blue Label Estate Zinfandel, Applegate Valley ($29)
Another Oregon love. I discovered Troon Vineyard last summer at the Wine Bloggers Conference. Bring on the Oregon wines, please. This full-bodied, full-flavored zinfandel is a deeper, darker zinfandel from a special block of vines just behind the winery. It’s balanced by a touch of fresh Oregon acidity and so well done it makes your average big-bold zin look lame. In general, zinfandel pairs nicely with traditional Thanksgiving fare including turkey, cranberry sauces, dressing, and other savory side dishes. This particular Zin pairs great with tri-tip on the grill or any incredible BBQ.
Syrah
2012 Solena Del Rio Vineyard Syrah ($30)
There’s nothing like supporting my favorite Oregon wineries. This syrah boasts rich and complex aromas of lush, ripe black cherries, smoke, cassis, leather, and cedar, enhanced by a touch of black pepper and mint. The bountiful black cherry aromas continue on the palate, combined with anise, earth, and dark chocolate leading into an earthen, spicy, balanced and lively long finish with bold tannins. This syrah pairs wonderfully with spiced grilled lamb, dark meat turkey, savory side dishes such as casseroles, and root vegetables.
Rosé
2015 Rodney Strong Rosé of Pinot Noir ($25)
The beautifully colored fresh and vibrant Rosé of Pinot Noir has aromas and flavors of cherries, wild strawberries, rose petals, and watermelon: all the colors and scents of summer. Brilliant and bright with fresh acidity and a wonderful lasting finish, the Rodney Strong Rosé of Pinot Noir pairs beautifully with goat cheese, fresh seafood dishes, and summer salads. It’s also the perfect complement to mushroom risotto, white pizza, pulled pork, BBQ, roasted beetroot dishes, dishes with cherries and figs such as a duck with cherry or fig chutney, roasted chicken, and anything with truffles.
Bubbles
Domaine Allimant-Laugner Crémant d’Alsace Rosé ($20)
The Domaine Allimant-Laugner is a stunning light salmon color. Gorgeous melon, strawberry, and citrus on the nose with a hint of floral aromas, too. This light-bodied and fresh sparkling rosé is laden with strawberry and citrus flavors with a touch of peach and minerality. It’s a steal at the price.
Spagnol Prosecco ($17)
This fresh and fragrant sparkling white wine offers soft, bright fruity apple, pear, and honeysuckle notes with a hint of sweetness. Zesty acidity rounds out the bright fruit making it easy to sip. This Italian sparkler is perfect as an aperitif by itself or served with prosciutto and a selection of cheeses to tie to the wine’s fruity notes.
How Much Wine Do I Need?
Not sure how many bottles of wine you should have on hand for a holiday meal? Here’s a quick guide to how much wine per person you should buy for your meal. On average, 1/2 of a 750ml bottle of wine is what you should have per person. Each 750 ml of wine has 5 125ml glasses per bottle.
Number of guests/How many bottles of wine:
4 guests/2 bottles
6 guests/3 bottles
8 guests/4 bottles
10 guests/5 bottles
12 guests/6 bottles
14 guests/7 bottles
16 guests/8 bottles
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I bought a bottle of 2014 Chateau Ste Michelle Riesling for Thanksgiving. It was a real hit! Thanks for the recommendation.
I’m glad you liked it! It’s one of our go-to wines for pretty much everything!