Hosting Thanksgiving at your house this year? Or spending the day at someone else’s home, and seeking a host or hostess gift that will pair well with the feast? If you’re wondering what to buy this year as the best wine for Thanksgiving for your own table or as a gift, here’s our list of favorites, including Pinot Noir, Syrah, Zinfandel, Chardonnay and more.
What are the best wines to buy for Thanksgiving?
Choosing the right wine for Thanksgiving dinner can be a difficult task. With foods that range from sweet to savory, and from heavy to even heavier – and with a table full of guests, all of whom have different palates and preferences – picking the perfect bottle may seem an impossible challenge.
But rather than seeing this as an obstacle, let’s instead embrace it as an open invitation, and relax. If we can’t possibly choose the “right” bottle for both pumpkin pie and Brussels sprouts, then we also can’t possibly choose the wrong one. Let’s take a deep breath, and instead focus on choosing a great wine that we and our guests will want to have with dinner. Here are twelve bottles that we recommend for this year’s meal.
The Best Wines to Serve at Thanksgiving This Year
8 Best Wines to Pair with Turkey for Luxury Thanksgiving Dinner 2021
1. 2017 La Belle Promenade Pinot Noir
Pinot noirs are undeniably a Thanksgiving (and every day) favorite. Since they are light on tannins and full of acid, they can pair with just about anything that’s on your plate. And the fact that they’re a crowd pleaser also doesn’t hurt. We recommend this 2017 bottle from Oregon’s Flâneur Wines. An even brighter update of their 2016 bottle, this one is both fruity and spicy, and would be a great asset to your Thanksgiving table this year.
BUY NOW: $55.00.
2. 2021 Eroica Reisling
Whether it’s sweet or dry, Riesling is a versatile wine that pairs well with foods of different flavors. It’s also light enough to serve as a palate cleanser for a meal that – while delicious – can start to weigh you down after a few hours. For this reason, Riesling has always been a popular Thanksgiving choice, and we think you’ll love this one. Eroica wines are a collaboration between two of the greatest Riesling producers: Dr. Loosen in Germany, and Chateau Ste. Michelle in Washington State. The result is a dry Riesling, perfect for this year’s feast.
BUY NOW: $17.95.
3. Les Vibrations
Beaujolais is another historically popular Thanksgiving wine that checks all of the requisite boxes: generally well-liked, low in tannins, extremely acidic, and full of a refreshing, fruity flavor. And it pairs well with turkey, too. This particular bottle is the winner of the 2020 Vivino’s Wine Style Awards, and comes from the Thillardon Brothers. Paul-Henri and Charles Thillardon are young winemakers who have already left their mark on the region, and we’re excited to see what comes next from them.
BUY NOW: $29.99.
4. Marcel Lapierre Morgon 2019
Another Beaujolais, because you can never have too many on Thanksgiving. Simultaneously earthy and low in tannins, this is a wine that is floral and easy to sip. Marcel Lapierre has been a master of Beaujolais for many decades, using traditional methods with the utmost precision. Since it’s hard to beat this critically-acclaimed bottle, you are welcome to stop your search here.
BUY NOW: $46.99.
5. 2020 Sauvignon Blanc Lifeforce
We stand by what we said: the most important part of choosing a Thanksgiving wine is choosing one that will definitely be liked by as many people as possible. And with this Sauvignon Blanc from Macari Vineyards, you can feel confident that you’re in for a hit. Located on the North Fork of Long Island, the vineyard is known for their fantastic wines – and this one is no exception. Tasting notes include citrus and stone fruits, and a nice, fresh acidity. Make it part of your Thanksgiving meal.
BUY NOW: $29.99.
6. Cortese Organic Nostru Carricante Terre Siciliane IGP, 2018
Crisp Green Apple. Tangy citrus. These are the strongest flavor notes from this Sicilian bottle, and what a perfect match they are for a night packed with rich carbohydrates. This organic wine from Italy is notoriously light and refreshing, and stands as a solid companion for both vegetables and starches. And as much as we love turkey, we don’t want to forget about the Thanksgiving side dishes. Since they play such a large role in the feeling of the overall meal, it makes sense to find a wine for them as well. This is sure to be loved by everyone around your table.
BUY NOW: $15.98.
7. Black Girl Magic Rosé California 2020
We can’t believe we’ve made it this far down the list without mentioning rosé, the wine that can do anything. Not only is rosé an easy way to solve any disputes of red versus white, but it is also refreshing, a favorite, and can probably support the widest range of dishes on your table. And this bottle from the beloved McBride Sisters is dry, light-bodied and floral – exactly what you’re looking for.
BUY NOW: $19.99.
8. Blanc de Noir Sparkling 2019
And of course, we had to include a sparkling wine recommendation. Since Thanksgiving is a holiday, you may be looking for something a little festive – and nothing says festive better than a few bubbles. This bottle from Longevity Wines would pair beautifully with any dish, and is almost certain to win all of the popularity contests with your family. It’s made with both chardonnay and pinot noir grapes, and it has just a few notes of citrus. A winner.
BUY NOW: $44.00.
Best Wines to Pair with Turkey for Luxury Thanksgiving Dinner this year
Those are our picks for the 8 best wines to buy for Thanksgiving this year. Of course there are lots of other beverages to add to the mix, as well. Whatever you’re pouring, have a safe and peaceful holiday this year, dear reader.
