The Best Wines for Thanksgiving Dinner
Published: August 12, 2025
Thanksgiving is one of the most anticipated meals of the year. It’s a celebration of tradition, togetherness, and of course, a table full of dishes that only seem to appear once a year. With so many flavors at play, including roast turkey, buttery mashed potatoes, tangy cranberry sauce, and sweet pumpkin pie, wine can be the secret ingredient that ties it all together.
The challenge is finding bottles that complement the meal without overpowering it. A good Thanksgiving wine needs to be flexible, food-friendly, and appealing to a variety of palates. Whether you’re setting the table for a big family gathering or heading to a cozy Friendsgiving, choosing the right wine can make the whole experience feel even more festive.
In this guide, you’ll find trusted wine picks for every part of the meal. From bright whites and balanced reds to sparkling wines and a few unexpected favorites, these are the bottles that bring out the best in Thanksgiving dinner. P.S., check our comprehensive guide on the best holiday wines to learn more!
What Makes a Great Thanksgiving Wine?
Thanksgiving dinner is a celebration of diverse flavors and textures, so the wines you choose need to be versatile and balanced. The best Thanksgiving wines usually have bright acidity, moderate tannins, and fruit-forward profiles that complement both savory and sweet dishes. This helps them cut through richer foods like turkey with gravy or buttery sides while pairing nicely with the sweeter elements like cranberry sauce and roasted vegetables.
Wines that are too heavy or overly tannic can overpower the meal, while those lacking acidity may taste flat alongside the complex flavors on your plate. Instead, look for wines that offer freshness, subtle complexity, and enough body to hold their own without stealing the spotlight.
Here are some key qualities to look for in a Thanksgiving wine:
- Bright acidity: Keeps the palate refreshed and balances richer dishes
- Moderate tannins: Soft enough to pair with turkey without overwhelming delicate flavors
- Fruit-forward character: Adds approachability and complements sweet and savory dishes alike
- Medium body: Provides enough weight to stand up to the meal without feeling heavy
- Food-friendly versatility: Works well with a variety of traditional Thanksgiving flavors
The Best White Wines for Thanksgiving
White wines bring brightness and freshness to the Thanksgiving table. They’re especially great for balancing rich, creamy sides and lighter dishes like salads or roasted vegetables. When choosing a white wine for Thanksgiving, look for options with enough acidity to cut through buttery flavors and a fruit-forward profile that complements everything from turkey to sweet potatoes.
Here are some top white wine picks that pair beautifully with Thanksgiving fare:
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a timeless Thanksgiving favorite thanks to its versatility and food-friendly balance. Lightly oaked or unoaked styles offer a creamy mouthfeel and bright acidity that complement rich dishes like roast turkey, mashed potatoes, and creamy casseroles without overpowering them. Expect flavors of green apple, pear, and citrus with subtle vanilla or toasted oak notes, making it a perfect match for both savory and buttery sides. Its medium to full body stands up well to stuffing and roasted vegetables, while the acidity keeps the palate refreshed throughout the meal.
Why We Love It:
Chardonnay strikes the perfect balance between richness and freshness, making it an ideal partner for the wide range of flavors on your Thanksgiving plate. Its approachable style and layered complexity make it a reliable crowd-pleaser that feels both comforting and elegant—just like the holiday itself.
Food Pairing Highlights: Roast turkey, mashed potatoes, creamy casseroles, buttery seafood, and mild cheeses.
Our Top Chardonnay Picks:
Riesling
Riesling is a fantastic choice for Thanksgiving because of its bright acidity and hint of sweetness, which make it incredibly food-friendly. Off-dry styles balance a touch of natural sugar with crisp citrus and stone fruit flavors like peach and apricot, creating a refreshing contrast to savory dishes and rich sides. This makes Riesling a great partner for sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, and even spiced dishes, while its acidity keeps the palate lively throughout the meal.
Why We Love It
Riesling’s balance of sweetness and acidity makes it uniquely suited to the diverse flavors on the Thanksgiving table. It’s approachable, refreshing, and offers a bit of unexpected brightness that keeps every bite and sip exciting.
Food Pairing Highlights: Sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, glazed carrots, spicy dishes, and roasted poultry.
Our Top Riesling Picks:
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc brings zesty acidity and vibrant citrus flavors that brighten the Thanksgiving table. Known for its crisp notes of grapefruit, lime, and green herbs, this wine pairs beautifully with fresh vegetable sides, herb-infused stuffing, and tangy dishes like cranberry sauce. Its refreshing character helps cleanse the palate between bites and adds a lively contrast to richer foods.
Food Pairing Highlights: Green bean casserole, herb stuffing, cranberry sauce, roasted vegetables, and fresh salads.
Why We Love It
Sauvignon Blanc’s bright, refreshing acidity and lively citrus profile make it a perfect match for the wide range of flavors on your Thanksgiving plate. It brings energy and brightness to the meal while remaining approachable for guests who enjoy a crisp white wine.
Our Top Sauvignon Blanc Picks:
Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio
Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are two names for the same grape, but their styles differ depending on where they’re grown and how they’re made. Pinot Grigio, typically from Italy or regions inspired by Italian winemaking, tends to be lighter-bodied, crisp, and refreshing with bright citrus and green apple flavors. Pinot Gris, especially from cooler U.S. regions like Oregon, often has a richer texture and more pronounced fruit notes, including pear, melon, and sometimes tropical fruit, with a slightly creamier mouthfeel.
Both wines offer bright acidity and juicy fruit flavors, making them versatile and food-friendly choices for Thanksgiving.
Food Pairing Highlights: Roasted vegetables, light salads, grilled chicken, seafood, and fresh shellfish.
Why We Love Them
Pinot Grigio delivers crisp, lively freshness that’s perfect for guests who enjoy a clean, easy-drinking white. Its bright citrus and green apple flavors make it a natural companion to lighter, simple dishes on your Thanksgiving table. Meanwhile, Pinot Gris offers a richer, more textured experience with juicy stone fruit and a hint of spice that adds warmth and complexity without overwhelming the palate. Together, they provide two refreshing but distinct white wine options that can appeal to a wide range of tastes and menus.
Our Top Picks:
Viognier
Viognier is known for its fragrant aromas and luscious stone fruit flavors like peach, apricot, and nectarine. It often carries a creamy texture that adds richness without heaviness, making it a wonderful white wine choice to complement the savory and spiced dishes often found on Thanksgiving menus. Its aromatic profile also pairs beautifully with dishes featuring herbs or warm spices.
Food Pairing Highlights: Herb-roasted turkey, spiced squash, creamy side dishes, roasted pork, and soft cheeses.
Why We Love It
Viognier’s floral aromas and juicy fruit flavors bring a bright, slightly exotic touch to the Thanksgiving table. Its richness and aromatic complexity offer something a bit different from more traditional whites, making it a lovely option for those wanting to mix things up while keeping things approachable and delicious.
Our Top Viognier Picks:
The Best Red Wines for Thanksgiving
Red wines bring warmth and depth to the Thanksgiving table. They’re perfect for pairing with hearty, savory dishes like roast turkey, stuffing, and roasted root vegetables. When choosing a red for Thanksgiving, look for wines with moderate tannins and vibrant fruit flavors that complement the meal without overpowering the delicate flavors of the holiday feast.
Here are some top red wine picks that make Thanksgiving dinners even more memorable:
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is one of the most classic and food-friendly red wines for Thanksgiving. Its light to medium body, bright acidity, and silky tannins make it a versatile choice that won’t overpower the meal. Expect flavors of red cherry, cranberry, and subtle spice, which echo the sweet-savory profile of many Thanksgiving dishes.
Food Pairing Highlights:
Pinot Noir is a natural match for roast turkey, mushroom stuffing, glazed carrots, and cranberry sauce. Its acidity cuts through richer sides like gravy and stuffing while enhancing earthier flavors.
Why We Love It:
Thanksgiving can be a parade of flavors—sweet, savory, herby, buttery—and Pinot Noir has this magical ability to play nice with all of it. It's the wine we reach for when we want something elegant but unfussy. Light enough for white meat, complex enough for stuffing and sides, and always crowd-pleasing. It’s basically the overachiever of the Thanksgiving table (in the best way).
Our Top Picks:
Zinfandel
Zinfandel is bold, brambly, and unapologetically flavorful—making it an exciting choice for Thanksgiving. With its ripe fruit character, notes of baking spice, and soft tannins, Zinfandel works well with the richer, more savory side of the holiday feast.
Food Pairing Highlights:
Zinfandel pairs beautifully with sausage stuffing, roast turkey with gravy, candied yams, and dishes featuring smoky or spicy flavors. Its plush fruit also stands up to cranberry sauce and adds depth to herb-laden fare.
Why We Love It:
Zinfandel brings a sense of generosity to the table—big fruit, big spice, big comfort. It’s the bottle you grab when you want something with personality that can hang with the most flavorful Thanksgiving dishes. It's rich without being too heavy and makes every bite taste a little more festive.
Our Top Picks:
The Best Rosé Wines for Thanksgiving
Rosé might not be the first wine that comes to mind for Thanksgiving, but it absolutely deserves a spot at the table. With its refreshing acidity, subtle fruit flavors, and dry finish, rosé is incredibly versatile. It bridges the gap between white and red, making it ideal for everything from turkey and ham to savory sides and even cranberry sauce.
Here are a few rosés we love for adding a splash of color—and balance—to your holiday spread:
Food Pairing Highlights:
Rosé pairs wonderfully with roasted turkey, glazed ham, green bean casserole, and fresh salads. Its bright acidity cuts through buttery mashed potatoes and creamy dishes, while its light fruit notes complement tangy cranberry sauce and herb-forward stuffing.
Why We Love It:
Rosé is the quiet star of the Thanksgiving table—refreshing yet food-friendly, elegant yet approachable. It brings a cheerful pop of color and liveliness to the meal, making every sip feel festive without stealing the show. Plus, it’s a great option for guests who want something lighter than red but more flavorful than white.
Our Top Picks:
The Best Sparkling Wines for Thanksgiving
Sparkling wines bring a festive spirit and bright acidity that can lift any Thanksgiving meal. Their bubbles cleanse the palate between bites, making them especially good with richer, buttery dishes and a variety of flavors on the table. Plus, they add a celebratory touch that feels right at home during the holidays.
Food Pairing Highlights:
Sparkling wines pair beautifully with everything from roasted turkey and creamy mashed potatoes to salty appetizers and fresh salads. They’re also fantastic with buttery dinner rolls, briny oysters, and even the occasional slice of pumpkin pie.
Why We Love It:
There’s something instantly joyful about popping open a sparkling wine—it sets the tone for celebration and togetherness. Beyond the party vibe, sparkling wines are incredibly versatile, brightening rich dishes and cutting through heavy flavors with ease. They bring both elegance and energy to the Thanksgiving table.
Our Top Picks:
Ready to Raise a Glass This Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is all about sharing good food, great company, and memorable moments—and the right wine can make those moments even more special. Whether you prefer the bright freshness of a crisp white, the smooth elegance of a Pinot Noir, or the celebratory sparkle of a bubbly, there’s a perfect bottle waiting to complement your feast.
If you want to buy wine online this holiday season, YourWineStore.com is the perfect place to start. As one of the best online wine stores, we offer a carefully curated selection of crowd-pleasing wines delivered right to your door, making your Thanksgiving planning easier than ever.
Cheers to a Thanksgiving filled with laughter, gratitude, and glasses raised high!
FAQs
How much wine should I plan for Thanksgiving dinner?
A good rule of thumb is about half a bottle per guest, but this can vary depending on how many wine drinkers you have and how long your celebration lasts. It’s always better to have a little extra than to run dry mid-toast!
What’s the best way to serve wine at Thanksgiving?
Serve whites and rosés chilled, typically between 45-55°F, and reds just below room temperature, around 60-65°F. For fuller-bodied reds, letting them breathe by opening them ahead of time or decanting helps bring out their best flavors.
Should I offer both red and white wines at the meal?
Yes! Offering both covers most palates and pairs well with a wide variety of dishes on the Thanksgiving table. Adding a sparkling wine or rosé can also add a festive touch.
How do I choose the best wine to pair with Thanksgiving dishes?
Look for wines with balanced acidity and moderate tannins that complement rather than overpower the meal. Whites with bright acidity and reds with softer tannins generally work well across the diverse flavors of Thanksgiving.