Thanksgiving Wine Pairings

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The art of pairing wines with food is largely a matter of personal preference. The turkey  is a rather neutral meat that pairs easily with a variety of wines from light whites to medium-bodied red wines. It is hard to pair a single wine with all the dishes on the traditional holiday table. From cranberries to root vegetables, gravy to mashed potatoes, there are so many things going on, it can be tough to choose a single wine. 


 Some popular Thanksgiving wine choices are Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Rose for red wine lovers and Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Chardonnay for those who prefer white wines.

Pinot Noir is lighter in body and softer on the palate and goes well with the traditional flavors of turkey and stuffing.
Shiraz with its spicy edge and peppery notes goes well with the herb-infused stuffing and both the white and dark turkey meat.
Cabernet Sauvignon especially when it is a medium-bodied with rich fruit aromas goes well with ham or turkey without overwhelming their mild taste.
Rose is a great food options because it is usually low in alcohol and has a nice fresh fruitiness. 
Zinfandel would be a great wine pick for those looking for a heartier red wine with the capacity to accommodate spice, bitter and sweet flavor profiles. You can choose White Zinfandel if you prefer off-dry to sweet wine.

With white wines the pairing priority is finding a wine with well-balanced acidity.

Riesling is excellent with any dishes that are spicy, salty or sweet. The fruity flavors and clarifying acidity give it a significant pairing with sweet potatoes, turkey meat and stuffing.
Sauvignon Blanc is known for its citrus-based flavors and it is a prime pairing for turkey and mashed potatoes. 
Chardonnay  is a fuller-bodied wine and can stand up to the richness of turkey, as long as the wine is not too oaky. But a hint of oak can be a good thing, bringing out that caramel flavor of the roasted turkey.

As for desserts Muscat is a great option for a pumpkin pie. If you are serving apple pie, consider a Riesling instead.


Red wines are served at cooler room temperatures and white wines are best served chilled. Suggested temperature for red wines is 60-65 F and for white wines 45-50 F.

Remember, there are no pairing rules just suggestions and plenty of options to choose from. At the end it is all about having a great time with your family and friends.

Happy Thanksgiving!
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