The Thanksgiving Wine Guide

For Every Holiday Style

Welcome to Thanksgiving Week Vintnerds!

Whether you have a spreadsheet of cooking times prepped or are planning on getting your pie from Costco the night before, you’re gonna need a bottle of wine for Thanksgiving. We’ve got you covered from the parade to the fighting over politics (but not the Turkey Trot, you sickos), and every bite in-between.

Photo by Juliette F on Unsplash

If you’re a traditionalist: Pinot Noir

You put turkey on your plate even if you don’t like, make your own cranberry sauce, and have eaten the same stuffing recipe for 30 years. Thanksgiving may be problematic, but it’s also your favorite meal of the year.

Pinot Noir is the quintessential Thanksgiving wine for a reason. It’s fruity and earthy flavor goes with everything from turkey to green bean casserole, and it has higher acid (which Thanksgiving desperately needs) so it will cut through the fattiness of the meal.

Also try: Beaujolais, Gamay, Garnacha

If you’re all about the sides: Chablis

Turkey is dry and bland and the sides are the only thing worth eating. Doesn’t matter if they’re traditional or new, just give you a plate of carbs.

Chablis is a cold weather, unoaked Chardonnay. It’s not fruity or buttery, but fresh, citrusy, and steely. It will compliment all the butter and cream on the table and give you a burst of needed acidic contrast.

Also try: Pinot Gris, Albariño, Riesling

Photo by Jake Warren on Unsplash

If you like to try new recipes: Nero d'Avola

A viral trend hates to see you coming; you swear by the Milk Bar pumpkin pie and haven’t looked back from Boursin mashed potatoes. While you appreciate the classics you get bored with the same thing every year (and think it could all use a lot more flavor).

Nero d’Avola is a full-bodied Sicilian red with dark fruit flavors and a hint of spice. It will compliment the meal similarly to Pinot Noir, but everything about it is bolder. It’s easy enough to find but not as popular in the US, so it’ll be new to a lot of people at the table.

Also try: Syrah, Zinfandel, Malbec

If you hate Thanksgiving: Spiced Old Fashioned

You need something a little stronger to get you through the holiday, and you don’t care if it overpowers the food (why is everything beige). This Old Fashioned is made with a spiced simple syrup that will take less than 20 minutes to make and is easily customizable.

Also try: Cider Mimosa, Cranberry-Aperol Spritz, Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini

Let us know what you’re eating and drinking this week.