The Best Wines To Match Thanksgiving’s Rich, Seasonal Flavors

By Liz Thach, MW

The rich, savory flavors of a traditional Thanksgiving feast, with roasted turkey, sage stuffing, pumpkin pie and all of the sides, can pair beautifully with special wines for the celebration.

Thanksgiving is a revered American holiday. It is a time to gather around the table with family and friends, to express gratitude and enjoy a sense of community spirit and fun. The air is redolent with the rich aromas of sage, onions, roast turkey, pumpkin, creamy potatoes, gravy, and other spices from favorite recipes.

So what are the best wines to pair with Thanksgiving’s rich seasonal flavors that will please every palate? Following are some recommendations that are designed to find favor from almost everyone at the table, and are organized by type of Thanksgiving food and price point.

Given that each bottle of wine (750ml) provides five glasses, just calculate the number of people joining your Thanksgiving feast, and then determine how many bottles you need. In general, it is best to offer at least two different styles of wine at your meal to please diverse palates.

I have selected wines that should be easy to find online or at larger wine shops and grocery stores. Prices are based on average Winesearcher.com prices, but may differ by location.

Best Thanksgiving Side Dish Wines – Rosé and White

Traditional Thanksgiving side dishes include green bean casserole, sweet potatoes/yams (often with melted marshmallows), savory stuffing with fragrant herbs, mash potatoes, gravy, cornbread, and cranberry sauce. Some people also serve a large green salad and/or creamy soup. For example on the West Coast, November is the beginning of crab season, so crab bisque is often found at Thanksgiving feasts there.

Given all of these rich and flavorful dishes, it is important to offer wines that have enough acid to cut through the creamy tastes, but also offer fruity and sometimes semi-sweet styles to complement the savory qualities. Certain types of white and rosé wines accomplish this quite well. Select your favorite from the lists below, or consider offering your guests one from each list.

• Splurge ($40+) – Chateau d’Esclans Cotes de Provence ‘Rock Angel’ Rosé ($40) – a richer, full-bodied rosé with ripe berries and zingy citrus to cut through rich flavors.