Putting together a great wine lineup for your Thanksgiving dinner is about thinking—without overthinking. Not just casually guessing, but also not getting uptight and stressing. With a little knowledge, it should be fun to plan your wine for Thanksgiving dinner because turkey is one of those foods that goes well with so many wines. Its mild flavor dances with and shows off the wine instead of overpowering it. Likewise, the right wines will cut through the richness of the meal while turning up the volume on all the foods’ flavors—and your guests’ feeling of togetherness.
Our first and perhaps obvious tip is to choose a wine that goes really well with turkey, not only because the bird is the centerpiece of Thanksgiving dinner but also because it’s notorious for needing a little boost in the flavor and moisture department. Our second tip: Give your guests an assortment of wines to choose from, knowing that the side dishes are where everyone gets nostalgic, opinionated, and obsessed. They’ll be getting seconds of their favorite sides, and it’s nice to be able to shift gears with a fresh wine for round two. Or three.
Welcome to La Crema’s Turkey and Wine Pairing Guide! We’ll walk you through choosing the best wines for Thanksgiving dinner, from general pairing principles to turkey-related tips to specific wine recommendations. For more holiday wine insights to elevate the season, check out La Crema’s Wine 101. Now let’s dive into which wines go with turkey.
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means it’s time to start planning your holiday menu. The centerpiece of Thanksgiving dinner is usually a perfectly roasted turkey. But what do you serve alongside it? Just as important as the main dish is the wine you choose to pair with it. Selecting the right wine can elevate your Thanksgiving meal from basic to spectacular.
I’m sure you’ve heard the age-old question: what kind of wine goes best with turkey? The truth is, there are many excellent options to complement the bird. Keep reading for a breakdown of the best wines to serve with turkey, as well as tips for choosing the perfect bottle.
Why Wine Pairings Matter
Wine and food are better together. When you take the time to deliberately pair wine with your Thanksgiving turkey and sides, it enhances the flavor of both. The right wine pairing balances and complements the meal, bringing out subtle flavors and aromas in the food and vice versa.
Choosing wine for your Thanksgiving dinner requires a bit more thought than picking just any old bottle You want something that will complement the turkey meat as well as your cranberry sauce, veggies, potatoes, gravy and stuffing.
Best Wines for Turkey
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is one of the most versatile and food-friendly wines out there. Its bright acidity, fruit-forward flavor and subtle earthy notes pair deliciously with turkey. Pinot Noir is light to medium-bodied with flavors of cherry, mushroom and spice. It frames the turkey perfectly without overpowering it. For Thanksgiving, choose a fruit-driven Pinot Noir from California or Oregon.
Beaujolais
For those who prefer a lighter red wine, Beaujolais is an excellent match for turkey. Hailing from the Burgundy region of France, these easy-drinking wines are low in tannins and made from the Gamay grape. Notes of tart cherry, cranberry and rose petal complement turkey’s delicate flavor. Opt for a Cru Beaujolais from one of the 10 crus within the region for the best quality.
Chardonnay
This popular white makes a very versatile pairing for turkey. Chardonnay has fresh acidity to balance the richness of the meat, along with apple, lemon and toasted oak flavors. Fuller-bodied, oaked Chardonnay works well. For something lighter, try unoaked Chardonnay from the Chablis region of France.
Riesling
Riesling might not be the first wine you think of for Thanksgiving, but it’s an excellent choice. Dry Riesling provides vibrant acidity along with flavors of peach, apricot and lime that complement turkey beautifully. Choose a just-off-dry or dry Riesling with low alcohol (under 12%). German Rieslings are a perfect pick.
Zinfandel
With its bold fruity flavors, Zinfandel is a classic pairing for turkey. Juicy and jammy with blackberry plum and spice notes, Zinfandel stands up well to the richness of the meat. Select a fruit-forward but balanced Zin from California to complement the savory flavors.
Other Smart Turkey Wine Pairings
In addition to the wines mentioned above there are a few more great options for turkey
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Sparkling Wine: No holiday meal is complete without a little bubbly! Sparkling wines like Cava, Prosecco, and Champagne have high acidity that cuts through the richness of the food. Opt for a brut style.
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Gewürztraminer: This spicy, aromatic white wine plays well with turkey. Gewürztraminer boasts flavors of lychee, rose and ginger that provide intrigue. Choose a dry Alsatian Gewürztraminer.
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Sauvignon Blanc: Zippy and refreshing, Sauvignon Blanc is lively on the palate with grapefruit and herb flavors that complement turkey perfectly. Lean towards a Sav Blanc from New Zealand.
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Rosé: Don’t overlook rosé for Thanksgiving. Its palate-cleansing acidity, berry flavors and food-friendly nature make it an excellent pairing for turkey and all the fixings. Choose a dry rosé from Provence.
Choosing the Right Wine
Keep these tips in mind when selecting a wine for your Thanksgiving table:
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Acidity: Acidity cuts through the richness of the turkey and gravy. Prioritize high-acid wines like Riesling, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
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Body: Medium to full-bodied wines stand up to turkey’s texture. Lighter reds like Pinot Noir and Gamay are great choices.
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Tannins: Lower tannin wines won’t clash with the tryptophan in the turkey, which amplifies tannins. Avoid high-tannin reds like Cabernet.
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Sweetness: Off-dry wines complement turkey’s savory, umami flavor. If you prefer dry wines, make sure they have bright, pronounced acidity.
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Flavors: Wines with fruity, savory notes pair best with turkey. Earthy flavors like mushroom and herbs are complementary. Avoid oaky wines that will clash.
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Region: Don’t overlook American wines! Oregon and California produce several excellent, food-friendly options that aren’t too expensive.
What to Avoid
On the flip side, there are a few wine styles you’ll want to avoid serving with your Thanksgiving turkey:
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High alcohol wines can feel “hot” and amplify the tryptophan effect. Stick with wines under 13.5% alcohol.
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Overly tannic wines like Cabernet Sauvignon can clash with the turkey.
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Strong, oaky wines will overpower the delicate flavor of the meat.
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Sweet wines like Moscato lack the acidity needed to balance the turkey’s richness.
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Light, fruity wines like Pinot Grigio lack the depth of flavor for turkey.
Making the Wine Decision
As you’re making your Thanksgiving wine selections, keep an open mind and don’t stress about finding the “perfect” wine. The most important elements are acidity, medium body, fruitiness and a bit of spice or earthiness. Taste different wines side-by-side and see what piques your interest.
And don’t just buy one bottle! Have a few different wines on hand so guests can sample different flavors. Buying an assortment also allows you to try out new pairings. Who knows – you may discover a new favorite Thanksgiving wine.
Most importantly, choose a wine you and your guests will enjoy drinking. Thanksgiving is all about bringing people together, and wine helps facilitate great conversations and connections. The wine you serve sets the tone for your meal.
Trust your palate, have fun with your selections and don’t overthink it. With these wine pairing tips in mind, you’ll be sure to choose winning bottles that will make your Thanksgiving dinner complete. Cheers and happy Thanksgiving!
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The Best Wine Pairings with Turkey
Here are our recommendations for the best wines to pair with your Thanksgiving dinner. We took into consideration red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines for a diverse selection. Explore our list, consider your turkey cooking style, and go shopping!
Chardonnay’s richness and subtle oak complement the round flavors of the turkey, and its supple body can help balance out any dryness in the meat, especially if the turkey is roasted. This wine’s versatility makes it a favorite for Thanksgiving because it will also go nicely with mashed potatoes and buttered green beans. La Crema’s Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is a crowd-pleaser, or choose from our diverse Chardonnay collection for bottles that lean zesty, bright, or elegant.
This wine’s crisp acidity and herbal notes make it a natural pairing with green salad, citrus-glazed carrots, and herb-infused stuffing. Sauvignon Blanc is also ideal for anyone who craves a refreshing glass—like a life preserver tossed into the decadence of gravy-smothered turkey. Check out our Sauvignon Blanc.
With its light body and fruit-forward yet earthy profile, Pinot Noir has long been considered one of the best wines with turkey because it enhances the bird’s flavors without overwhelming them. Pinot brings the substantial profile of a dark red to the table but has a lower tannin content, flattering the umami notes of gravy, wild mushrooms, and stuffing. Discover the La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir and explore our complete Pinot Noir selection.
A contender for the best wine for Thanksgiving, and traditionally released in November in France, Beaujolais’s fresh and uplifting energy matches the lighter weight of turkey. Its radiant fruit notes add piquancy to the meal just like cranberry sauce does—but without the controversy of homemade vs canned. Classically made with the Gamay grape, our Pinot Noir-based homage is a highly festive choice that is practically made for turkey dinner. Discover La Crema’s carbonic-macerated Beaujolais Nouveau and see this year’s label design.
If you put your Rosé away once the hot weather faded, it might be time to bring it back out. Rosé’s balance of acid, fruit and floral tones make this wine so versatile it won’t hit a wrong note with anything on your Thanksgiving table. Check out La Crema’s Monterey Pinot Noir Rosé and our Rosé collection.
Welcome your guests with a glass of sparkling and don’t be surprised if they return to it throughout dinner and dessert. The effervescence and acidity of sparkling wine cleanses the palate and elevates every bite. Explore La Crema’s Blanc de Blancs and more sparkling wines.
Understanding the Flavor Profile of Turkey
The white meat from the breast is leaner and has a subtle, delicate flavor that’s slightly sweet. It can be prone to dryness if overcooked but is a good vehicle for gravies and sauces. The dark meat from the thighs and legs is more flavorful, with a slightly higher fat content, denser texture, and a more savory taste. There is another factor to think about when figuring out what wine goes with turkey: How you prepare your turkey—roasting, smoking, or frying—will determine its overall taste. Traditional roasting yields milder flavors and relies on herbs, rubs, butter and gravy to bring liveliness. Smoking adds an earthy, robust, and (of course) smokey character. Frying introduces a crispy skin, moister meat, and deeper flavors, but keep in mind that it’s a potentially dangerous method that should be undertaken with caution and expertise.
thanksgiving pairings wine and turkey
FAQ
Is red or white wine better with turkey dinner?
Chardonnay and Riesling are the best white wine varieties for roast turkey. As for red wines, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Beaujolais Nouveau are probably the classier types for thanksgiving turkey pairings.
What kind of wine do you drink for Thanksgiving?
Pinot Noir and Gamay are traditional picks, as these wines balance fresh fruit and earthy flavors without much of the drying tannin you’ll find in, say, an …
What alcohol pairs well with turkey?
- Chardonnay. Chardonnay’s richness and subtle oak complement the round flavors of the turkey, and its supple body can help balance out any dryness in the meat, especially if the turkey is roasted. …
- Sauvignon Blanc. …
- Pinot Noir. …
- Beaujolais. …
- Rosé …
- Sparkling.
What wine goes with cold turkey?
Going cold turkey with wine
Without them you should enjoy a youthful red Burgundy or cru Beaujolais. If chutneys and pickles are in the mix, then a riper, more robustly fruity Pinot Noir from, say, California, Oregon or New Zealand would probably work better.