Let’s just say it out loud, Thanksgiving is the dining spectacle of the year. In sheer anticipation alone, it eclipses any July 4th cookout or Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanza feast. But, while you spend your days crafting the perfect menu, chorizo stuffing is a must in my house; take your wine selection seriously. A good one will elevate all the delicious dishes you will be serving.
Wine and Thanksgiving go together like mashed potatoes and gravy-essential, delicious and slightly indulgent. Plus, the vino can act as a perfect social lubricant to get the conversations flowing. Just make sure to steer clear of any political talk this year.
Here are fifteen fantastic wines that will leave your guests smiling and asking for more. You can’t go wrong with a few bottles from this list, from bold reds to slightly floral whites, plus a glass or two of bubbly. So, stock up and get ready to sit back and listen to the praise flow as everyone stuffs themselves slightly silly.
Rescue Dog Wines 2023 Rosé
Start your meal off the right way with this tasty Rosé from Rescue Dog Wines. The liquid is delicious and comes with a fantastic backstory that should bring a smile to all your family. Founded by an animal-loving couple in 2017, Rescue Dog Wines donates 50% of its profits to a swath of animal rescue groups. Made in the heart of Napa Valley, this wine has flavors of strawberry and grapefruit. Pick it up here for $28.
Etude Winery 2020 Carneros Pinot Noir
This Napa beauty is full of red raspberry and pomegranate notes overflowing with each sip. After each sip, its fresh flavors are balanced with a lingering hint of cedar and pink peppercorns. Pair this with wine with some nice charcuterie before the main event. Pick it up here for around $47.
J Vineyards Cuvée 20
From one of the best cool-climate vineyard sites in the Russian River Valley, this sparkling wine contains notes of apple and cranberry with a soft palate of lemon meringue pie flavors. It’s a nice, crisp sparkler to sip to kick off your feast or pair with some smoked salmon bites. Pick it up here for around $40.
Ponzi Vineyards Pinot Noir Reserve 2021
This gem reflects the distinctive terroir of Oregon’s Chehalem Mountains. With estate fruit from some of the area’s oldest vines, it balances dark fruit notes with exotic spices. Spiced chocolate and clove aromas lead to hints of pomegranate and cinnamon, complemented by fine, chalky tannins. This elegant Pinot Noir pairs beautifully with Thanksgiving staples like roasted turkey and savory sides. Pick it up here for around $75.
Giesen 0% Riesling
Non-alcoholic wine is finally catching up with its booming counterparts, such as beer and spirits. That’s due to brands like Giesen from New Zealand that are committed to using top-notch grape juice to make excellent N/A wines. Keep a few bottles of their non-alcoholic Riesling around for your health-conscious family members or that Uncle who is getting a little too rowdy. Pick it up here for around $16.
Bollinger Special Cuvée
Ring in the holiday season with an authentic French classic, Bollinger Special Cuvée. Made from a delicate mixture of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Meunier grapes and aged around 8-9 years in oak barrels, it boasts a rich complexity with peach, apple, and pear flavors. It pairs well with everything, especially shellfish, poultry, and hard cheeses. Pick it up here for around $95.
Yacoubian Hobbs Areni 2020
The Areni grape, an ancient variety native to Armenia, has flourished in the high-altitude, mountainous region of Vayots Dzor, where the vines thrive on rocky, mineral-rich volcanic soils. This late-ripening grape produces fresh, elegant, well-structured wines featuring bright red fruit flavors and a distinctive black pepper spice—a delicious match for dishes like Roasted Root Vegetables. Pick it up here for around $36.
Early Mountain Vineyards RISE 2021
Hailing from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, RISE is like the VIP guest your holiday table didn’t know it needed. It’s bold and layered, bringing a bit of everything—plum, wild blackberry, cassis- with hints of cedar, cocoa, and a touch of earthy forest floor. This blend of Merlot, Petit Verdot, Tannat, and Cabernet Franc is a quintessential holiday wine, pairing effortlessly with any main event, be it turkey, ham, or Prime Rib. Pick it up here for around $150.
Böen 2023 Pinot Noir Rsv. Santa Maria Valley
Made by 5th generation Napa winemaker Joe Wagner, Böen, which translates to “the farm,” pays homage to the agricultural roots of one of America’s premier winemaking regions. Vibrant flavors of very ripe boysenberry, blueberry, and plum are complemented by layers of rosemary and cocoa. These flavors are balanced by firm tannings that carry through to a long, structured, and mouthwatering finish. Serve this wine alongside a grilled ribeye with mashed potatoes for those eschewing a traditional menu. Pick it up here for around $40.
Jermann Dreams 2022
This gem from the Jermann estate in the Friuli region of Northern Italy is a barrel-fermented Chardonnay brimming with flavors. Dreams lingers after each sip with layered aromas and flavors of lemon, apple, and hazelnut. It’s the perfect wine to serve during the holiday season and will level up your salads, fish, and veggie dishes. Pick it up here for around $89.
Ceretto Blangé 2022
This unique Arneis wine from Piedmont, Italy, combines organic practices in the vineyard with a modern winemaking style. Fruit-forward with enjoyable minerality, this palate-pleasing wine contains alluring aromas and balanced freshness on the palate. Notes of anise seed, almond, peach, and fresh pear combine to make this wine enjoyable on its own or when paired with various dishes. Best served a little colder than the usual white wines to preserve freshness and crunchy taste. Pick it up here for around $25.
Famiglia Cotarella Sodale 2020
In Ancient Rome, Sodale ‘means member of a partnership.’ The same concept of fraternity is familiar to all generations of the Cotarella family, strongly linked to the Lazio region, where this wine is born. The color is intense red with purple reflections. The bouquet is dotted with notes of red fruit and sweet spices that perfectly balance the vanilla wood notes. It is sure to make your family smile with each sip and pairs beautifully with the richer dished Thanksgiving is known for. Pick it up here for around $25.
Biserno Insoglio del Cinghiale 2022
Ready for an Italian lesson? “Cinghiale” translates to wild boar, and this wine name, Insoglio del Cinghiale, refers to the place where the wild boar goes to root and roll. With complex aromas of cherries, sour cherries, rosemary, and myrtle, this vibrant wine from Tuscany delivers the bold flavors of a Super Tuscan at an affordable price. It will amp up any dish it is served alongside. Pick it up here for around $43.
Bricoleur Vineyards Kick Ranch Vineyard 2023 Viognier
Bricoleur wines are literally crafted to elevate food pairings. Situated in Sonoma Valley, they work with Michelin-starred Chef Charlie Parker to offer amazing paired menus of food dishes and wines at their estate. You can tap into their magic with this sublimely beautiful Viognier filled with floral fruit and citrus flavors. It will work well with both your roast turkey and dessert. Pick it up here for around $40.
Stags’ Leap Winery 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Every Thanksgiving meal should have one big, bold Cabernet on hand; it just levels the entire meal up. This bottle from legendary Stags’ Leap delivers aromas of black raspberries and black currants that are followed up with savory flavors of plums, black cherry, and redcurrants. It only gets better the longer it airs out, so crack this bottle early and decant if you wish. Your guests will sigh with pleasure with each sip. Pick it up here for around $70.
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