Thanksgiving is all about abundance – a table filled with turkey, sides, and plenty of flavours competing for attention. The right wine(s) can bring everything together, so here’s a guide to the best wine pairings for a classic Thanksgiving spread. And if you only have time to buy one bottle, make it a Pinot Noir: it works with almost everything on the table.
What is the best wine for Thanksgiving?
With so many dishes served at once, the best Thanksgiving wines are versatile: fruity, fresh and not too heavy. Here are our top picks for each style:
- Best red: Pinot Noir or Beaujolais, both light and juicy enough for turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce
- Best white: an off-dry Riesling or a lightly oaked Chardonnay, which cover everything from turkey to creamy sides
- Best sparkling: a dry Champagne, Crémant or Cava to welcome your guests
- Best for dessert: Tawny Port with pecan pie, or a late-harvest Riesling with pumpkin pie
If you’re hosting a big group, opening one red and one white is the easiest way to keep everyone happy.
What wine goes with turkey?
Turkey has a mild flavour but can easily dry out, so wines with juicy fruit and lively acidity are the best partners.
- Pinot Noir from Oregon’s Willamette Valley or Burgundy in France is a classic choice, with bright red fruit and earthy depth.
- Oaked Chardonnay from Burgundy or California’s Napa Valley brings body, richness, and subtle vanilla and spice notes that complement the turkey without overpowering it.
- Grenache-based reds from Spain’s Rioja or France’s Rhône Valley offer soft spice and ripe fruit if you prefer something a little warmer.
What wine goes with Thanksgiving ham?
Many Thanksgiving tables also feature a glazed ham. Its mix of sweet and salty flavours calls for wines with plenty of fruit and a touch of sweetness or freshness.
- Off-dry Riesling from Germany or Alsace balances the sweet glaze with crisp acidity.
- Zinfandel from California has the ripe, jammy fruit to stand up to a honey or brown sugar glaze.
- Beaujolais is a lighter red option, with juicy fruit that works well with the saltiness of the ham.
- A structured dry rosé, such as a Tavel from the Rhône Valley, is a refreshing choice that sits happily between the two.
What wine goes with stuffing?
Stuffing is savoury, herby, and often rich, so it needs a wine with enough body to hold up.
- Zinfandel from California is a natural match, especially with sausage-based stuffing, thanks to its ripe fruit and peppery spice.
- Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley in France or South Africa brings vibrant acidity and subtle fruit for a white option.
- Pinot Noir from Burgundy or New Zealand’s Central Otago is a perfect earthy companion if your stuffing includes mushrooms.
What wine goes with mashed potatoes and gravy?
Creamy mashed potatoes and savoury gravy call for wines that balance richness. A buttery yet structured Chardonnay from Napa Valley, Burgundy or Australia’s Margaret River region pairs beautifully. If you want something aromatic, Viognier from the Rhône Valley works well with its stone fruit and floral character.
For red wine lovers, Merlot from Bordeaux’s Right Bank or Washington State offers soft tannins and plush fruit that work nicely with gravy.
What wine goes with Thanksgiving side dishes?
The side dishes are often where Thanksgiving gets tricky, as they range from sweet to creamy to savoury. Here’s what to pour with the most popular ones.
Sweet potato casserole
Sweet potato casserole, especially with a marshmallow or pecan topping, is one of the sweetest dishes on the table. An off-dry Riesling or an aromatic Gewürztraminer has enough fruit and sweetness to match it, while a dry wine would taste thin and sour next to it.
Green bean casserole
Creamy, savoury and topped with crispy onions, green bean casserole works well with a lightly oaked Chardonnay, which matches its creamy texture. For a red, a Pinot Noir picks up on the earthy mushroom flavours.
Mac and cheese
Rich and cheesy mac and cheese needs a wine with enough freshness to cut through it. A Chardonnay is the classic match, and you’ll find more ideas in our guide to wine with comfort food.
What wine goes with cranberry sauce?
Cranberry sauce brings bright, tangy sweetness to the table, and it’s best matched with wines that can echo those flavours. A lightly chilled Beaujolais is a top pick, with juicy red fruit and lively acidity that mirror the cranberries’ tartness.
For a white option, a slightly off-dry Riesling from Germany’s Mosel region or Alsace in France is ideal, balancing sweetness with crisp acidity. And for something more festive, a sparkling rosé echoes the red berry flavours of the sauce.
What wine goes with Thanksgiving desserts?
No Thanksgiving is complete without pie, and pumpkin, pecan and apple all demand wines with enough sweetness and depth to match. As a rule, the wine should be at least as sweet as the dessert.
Pumpkin pie
The spiced, creamy sweetness of pumpkin pie pairs beautifully with a late-harvest Riesling from Germany or the Finger Lakes in New York. For something more indulgent, Moscato d’Asti from Piedmont in Italy adds gentle sweetness and refreshing bubbles.
Pecan pie
Rich, nutty, and caramelised, pecan pie is best matched with fortified wines. Tawny Port from Portugal is the ultimate pairing, echoing the nutty, toffee-like flavours.
Alternatively, Madeira in the sweeter Bual or Malmsey styles brings roasted nut and citrus notes, while a Pedro Ximénez Sherry offers deep raisin and molasses flavours for a decadent finish.
Apple pie
The baked apple and cinnamon flavours of apple pie work well with a sweet white wine that has plenty of fresh acidity. Try a late-harvest Riesling, a Sauternes from Bordeaux, or an ice wine, which keeps the pairing fresh rather than heavy.
What sparkling wine should you serve at Thanksgiving?
A glass of bubbles is a great way to welcome your guests while the turkey rests, and dry sparkling wines also work surprisingly well throughout the meal. Their acidity and bubbles refresh the palate between rich dishes.
- Champagne is the classic celebration choice, with toasty, biscuity notes.
- Crémant from France and Cava from Spain are made in the same way as Champagne, and often offer great value.
- Prosecco is lighter and fruitier, perfect as an easy-going aperitif.
- Sparkling rosé adds a festive touch and pairs nicely with cranberry sauce.
Look for “Brut” or “Extra Brut” on the label for a dry style. To find out what makes each one different, read our guide on how sparkling wine is made.
How much wine do you need for Thanksgiving?
A standard 75cl bottle of wine pours about five glasses of 150ml. As a rough guide, plan around half a bottle per wine-drinking guest for a long Thanksgiving meal, and a little more if your gathering lasts all afternoon.
For 10 wine-drinking guests, that means around 5 bottles. Here are a few tips to plan your order:
- Mix red and white: a roughly even split works for most groups.
- Add sparkling for the aperitif: one bottle serves around five or six small glasses.
- Keep a dessert wine aside: a bottle of Tawny Port or a sweet white goes a long way, as glasses are smaller.
Don’t worry about buying a little too much. Most wines keep for a few days once opened, and you can find out exactly how long wine lasts once opened in our guide.
Quick Thanksgiving Wine Shopping List
Not sure where to start? Here are some reliable wines that work beautifully with a Thanksgiving feast.
- Pinot Noir – Burgundy, France or Willamette Valley, Oregon: bright red fruit, soft tannins, and a touch of earthiness make this perfect for roast turkey and mushroom stuffing.
- Chardonnay – Burgundy, France or Napa, California: buttery, rich, and subtly spiced, perfect with roast turkey and mashed potatoes.
- Beaujolais – Beaujolais, France: juicy Gamay with fresh acidity, a fantastic match for cranberry sauce and lighter dishes on the table.
- Zinfandel – California: ripe, spicy and bold enough to handle stuffing, gravy, and even meaty sides like sausage or roast ham.
- Tawny Port – Douro, Portugal: smooth and nutty, with caramel and dried fruit flavours that complement both pumpkin and pecan pie.
- Pedro Ximénez Sherry – Spain: rich, sweet, and decadent, with raisin and molasses notes that make it a perfect partner for pecan pie.
Hosting Christmas dinner too? Our Christmas wine pairing guide has a wine for every course.
FAQ
Should you serve red or white wine at Thanksgiving?
Both work, and serving one of each is the easiest way to please everyone. A light red like Pinot Noir and a fresh white like Riesling cover almost every dish on the table.
Can you serve rosé at Thanksgiving?
Yes, but choose a structured, food-friendly rosé rather than a pale, delicate aperitif style. Look for rosés with more body and depth, such as Tavel and Bandol, or one of the richer, more gastronomic rosés from Provence, which can stand up to turkey, ham and cranberry sauce.
Should you chill red wine for Thanksgiving?
Light reds like Beaujolais and Pinot Noir taste best slightly cool, so 15 to 20 minutes in the fridge before serving is a good idea. Our wine serving temperature guide has the ideal temperature for each style.
What’s a good budget wine for Thanksgiving?
Beaujolais, Côtes du Rhône and Spanish Garnacha all offer juicy, food-friendly reds without breaking the bank. For bubbles, Cava and Crémant are great-value alternatives to Champagne.
How many bottles of wine do I need for 10 guests?
As a rough guide, plan around 5 bottles for 10 wine-drinking guests, or one bottle for every two guests. Add a bottle of sparkling wine for the aperitif and one dessert wine if you’re serving pie.
