Bordeaux Burgundy Champagne United States

What Wine Should I Bring to Thanksgiving?

Nov 14, 2025by David Bachus

Quick Answer: The Best Wines to Bring to Thanksgiving

If you’re short on time, here are the top wines that pair with the full Thanksgiving feast:

  • Champagne (Brut or Vintage): Best all-around Thanksgiving wine

  • Pinot Noir (Oregon, Sonoma, Burgundy): Classic red for turkey

  • Rhône Blends (Southern Rhône + GSM blends): Smooth, spicy, perfect with richer sides

  • Chardonnay: Ideal for roasted turkey & gravy

  • Riesling (Dry or Off-Dry): Crisp, aromatic, great with sweet + savory dishes

These wines match beautifully with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, and nearly every Thanksgiving side.

🥂 1. Champagne: The Most Versatile Thanksgiving Wine

Why Champagne is perfect for Thanksgiving:
Its naturally high acidity and bubbles cut through rich dishes and refresh the palate between bites. It pairs with turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, buttery sides, charcuterie boards, and even classic appetizers like deviled eggs or fried snacks.

Best Champagne styles:

  • Brut NV: Crisp, lively, and universally crowd-pleasing

  • Vintage Champagne: Adds depth for richer dishes

  • Grower Champagne: Artisan, character-driven, and great for wine lovers

Food pairings:
Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, buttery rolls, charcuterie, cheese plates, roasted vegetables, salty snacks.

🍷 2. Pinot Noir: The Best Red Wine for Thanksgiving Dinner

Pinot Noir is the quintessential Thanksgiving red because of its light body, bright fruit, and ability to pair with nearly everything on the table.

Why Pinot Noir works so well with turkey:

  • Low tannins that don’t overwhelm poultry

  • Cherry and cranberry flavors mirror Thanksgiving notes

  • Earthiness complements herbs like rosemary, sage, and thyme

Top regions to choose from:

  • Oregon: Bright, juicy, elegant

  • Sonoma Coast: Silky and red-fruited

  • Burgundy: Savory, complex, and perfect for a full holiday spread

What it pairs with:
Roast turkey, mushroom stuffing, roasted root vegetables, herbs, cranberry sauce.

🍇 3. Rhône Blends: Smooth, Spicy, and Perfect for Thanksgiving

Rhône blends—especially Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre (GSM) styles—are phenomenal Thanksgiving reds. They offer warmth, spice, and round textures that fit naturally with hearty holiday dishes.

Why Rhône blends are great for Thanksgiving:

  • Soft tannins that won’t overpower food

  • Generous red and black fruit flavors

  • Peppery, herbal notes that match stuffing + roasted dishes

  • Extremely crowd-friendly

Best styles to bring:

  • Southern Rhône (Côtes du Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape)

  • California GSM blends

  • Washington State Rhône-style reds

Top food pairings:
Turkey, stuffing, roasted squash, sweet potatoes, pork or ham, green bean casserole.

🌼 4. The Best White Wines for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving whites should have acidity, aromatics, and enough texture to stand up to buttery and herbaceous dishes.

Riesling (Dry or Off-Dry)

One of the most flexible Thanksgiving whites. Why it works: Riesling handles sweet, salty, herbal, and spicy flavors effortlessly—making it perfect for stuffing, cranberry sauce, and roasted vegetables.

White Burgundy / Chardonnay

Rich, elegant, and always a crowd favorite. Why it works: The combination of acidity and creamy texture makes Chardonnay ideal for turkey with gravy, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and buttery dishes.

🦃 What Wines Pair Best with Classic Thanksgiving Dishes?

Best Wine for Turkey:

Champagne, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Rhône blends

Best Wine for Stuffing:

Riesling, Pinot Noir, Rhône blends

Best Wine for Mashed Potatoes:

Champagne, Chardonnay

Best Wine for Sweet Potatoes:

Riesling, Rhône blends

❓ Thanksgiving Wine FAQ

What is the best wine to bring to Thanksgiving dinner?

Champagne, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Rhône blends, and Riesling are the most reliable, food-friendly choices.

Do red or white wines go better with Thanksgiving?

Both. Reds like Pinot Noir and Rhône blends are classic; whites like Chardonnay and Riesling pair beautifully with savory and sweet dishes.

Is Pinot Noir good with turkey?

Yes. Its light tannins and red-berry flavors make it one of the best reds for turkey.

What wine goes with stuffing and mashed potatoes?

Riesling and Rhône blends pair well with stuffing; Champagne and Chardonnay shine with mashed potatoes.

Is Champagne good for Thanksgiving?

Absolutely. It complements nearly every dish and adds a celebratory feel to the holiday.

🍾 Want Priority Access to the Best Holiday Wines? Join the VIP List.

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  • Rare Champagne, Burgundy & Rhone blends perfect for Thanksgiving

  • Ultra-limited wines that never hit the public site

  • Early alerts on new arrivals and holiday releases

If you want the best bottles for Thanksgiving and Christmas before they sell out: 

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