The best wine for Thanksgiving to purchase in 2026 

Top bottles of wine for Thanksgiving to share with your loved ones

In the table above, our experts have selected the 10 best wines for Thanksgiving , taking into account traditional American Thanksgiving courses, such as roast turkey or glazed ham, as well as wines that pair well with side dishes and desserts. We will also provide recommendations on the best Thanksgiving wines to pair with a Mediterranean, Asian or South American inspired dinner to suit all American families’ preferences.

How to choose a good Thanksgiving wine

The first Thanksgiving occurred in 1621 when the Pilgrims celebrated their successful harvest with the Wampanoag. The menu of that first American Thanksgiving included food that became traditional for the holiday, especially turkey and pumpkin, but wine was notably absent. The Pilgrims mostly drank fermented beverages, such as cider and beer. After European settlers arrived and established the first American vineyards, wine gradually became a beverage reserved for special occasions. Today, wine is the star of the Thanksgiving table and it must be chosen carefully to enrich the overall culinary experience. Thanksgiving meals typically include a wide variety of courses, such as turkey, mashed potatoes, vegetables and cranberry sauce. Therefore, a good Thanksgiving wine should be versatile, balanced, and have good acidity to complement sweet, salty, creamy and spicy flavors. 

Not sure what to serve? Here are some simple tips to help you choose:

• Remember that Pinot Noir is turkey’s best friend and, thanks to its freshness and versatility, it enhances its qualities without overpowering its flavor.
• Don’t underestimate sparkling wines because they can pair perfectly with all courses, from appetisers to desserts.
• Look out for sweet wines, which go well with traditional Thanksgiving desserts such as pumpkin pie, pecan pie and apple-based desserts. 

Thanksgiving wine pairings for traditional American foods

For the classic roast turkey with cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes, we recommend pairing a Pinot Noir. The acidity of Pinot Noir contrasts with the light fatness of turkey, while its soft tannins harmonize with the creaminess of mashed potatoes. Additionally, its red fruit notes complement the cranberry sauce, intensifying the culinary experience.

Glazed ham instead pairs well with medium to full bodied red wines, such as Cabernet Franc or Merlot. Its fruity aromas and good acidity balance the sweet and salty notes of the ham.  Another good option is to pair it with a sparkling wine or dry Champagne, whose lively fizz helps to balance the ham’s flavor.

Sweet potatoes and breadcrumbs stuffing is one of the classic Thanksgiving side. This sweet and spicy dish goes perfectly with a semi-dry or dry Riesling wine. The wine’s fresh acidity and intense floral and fruity notes perfectly balance the sweetness of the potatoes.

Another classic Thanksgiving side dish is cornbread stuffing. This baked dish, made with sweet cubes of cornbread, savoury herbs and aromatics, goes perfectly with a Loire Chenin Blanc thanks to its balanced acidity, fruity aromas and spicy notes, which complement the sweetness and toasted flavour of the bread.

Let’s finish with pumpkin pie, one of the most traditional Thanksgiving desserts. This sweet and spicy treat pairs perfectly with an aromatic white wine like a Gewürztraminer, which can stand up to the flavors of cinnamon, ginger, and clove. 

The secret is finding the right balance between food and wine flavors. A few carefully chosen bottles can make your Thanksgiving dinner unforgettable.

Thanksgiving wine pairings for Mediterranean – Italian inspired dinners

A Mediterranean inspired menu is the perfect way to add elegance and originality to the Thanksgiving celebration. Typical Mediterranean dishes vary by region, but most menus include vegetable antipasti, first courses from the sea or the land and refined seafood preparations. Fresh herbs, extra-virgin olive oil, citrus and seasonal mushrooms also play a central role, adding depth and harmony.

If your Thanksgiving dinner is inspired by Italian cuisine and features Bolognese lasagna or an elegant truffle risotto as the main course, a structured yet balanced red wine is perfect to accompany the complexity of the flavors without dominating them. To complement the Bolognese lasagna, we recommend a Chianti Classico. Its acidity cuts the richness of the ragú, while its tannins, structured and refined, offer a harmonious complement to the meat. For the truffle risotto, a soft and round Tuscan Merlot is the perfect choice, as it enhances the autumn flavors and undergrowth aromas of porcini mushrooms.

Thanksgiving wine pairings for Latin American dinners

Many Latino families serve Thanksgiving dinner courses that reflect their traditions, such as pavochón.  This Puerto Rican-style turkey is marinated and seasoned to taste like pork, hence its name, which comes from the combination of pavo (Spanish for turkey) and lechón (Spanish for piglet). This crispy turkey pairs well with a full-bodied white wine, such as Chardonnay, whose buttery, toasted notes enhance its flavor.

The best red wine suggestions for a traditional Thanksgiving

Red wine is mostly the best choice if you want to enjoy hearty Thanksgiving courses to the fullest. To create an excellent pairing, we recommend a versatile medium bodied red wine that can enhance the flavours of the main courses without overpowering them. The best red wine for Thanksgiving dinner should also be slightly acidic to offset the richer courses and have fruity and spicy notes that pair perfectly with the traditional accompaniments, such as cranberry sauce. The following wines are a perfect example:

• Zinfandel is surely one of the best wines for Thanksgiving dinner. Thanks to its aromas of ripe fruit and sweet spices, it goes perfectly with tasty stuffing, glazes, and cranberry sauce. 
• As mentioned before, Pinot Noir is also a great and versatile choice:  elegant and light with delicate tannins that highlight the delicate flavour of turkey and other meats.
• Barolo is a refined wine with hints of cherry and spice, as well as good acidity to lighten the most savoury courses.

While reds are generally the most preferred choices, complex white wines like oaked Chardonnay, Riesling or rosé wine and Champagne are excellent companions if paired correctly. Their balance of acidity, texture, and aromatics can elevate both delicate and rich dishes, offering surprising versatility at the table. In the following sections, we will explore how these varietals can enrich your celebration with their unique styles and pairing possibilities.

The best white and rosé wine recommendations to liven up Thanksgiving

To make your Thanksgiving dinner feel fresher and more lively, consider choosing a white wine or rosé. Chardonnay, with its buttery structure and fruity notes, pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes and sweet potato casseroles. Riesling, with its aromatic notes and lively acidity, pairs well with the sweetest and spiciest courses. Pinot Grigio is a versatile, light wine that pairs well with all courses, from appetisers to the main courses. Another excellent white wine for Thanksgiving is Sauvignon Blanc, with its citrus and herbaceous aromas, which pair well with vegetable based dishes such as green bean casserole. For those looking for the best white wine for Thanksgiving, here is a selection of excellent bottles to accompany your courses, along with an incredible rosé produced in the historic terroir of Languedoc, the birthplace of rosé wines.

Champagne and sparkling wine for Thanksgiving, from the aperitif to the final roast 

Thanksgiving dinner just wouldn’t be the same without a glass of sparkling wine or Champagne. Essential for the aperitif and final toast, they are also perfect for accompanying dinner and refreshing palates between courses. For a boost of freshness, the recommendation is a sparkling wine made using the Charmat method (think Prosecco!), which involves a second fermentation in large pressurised tanks. To enjoy a more complex flavor profile, choose a Champagne or sparkling wine made using the classic method, also known as the Champenoise method (eg. Italian Franciacorta or Spanish Cava). With this method, the second fermentation takes place in the bottle, resulting in a full bodied wine with a persistent bubble. ​​Below, you will find a prestigious Champagne and an incredible sparkling wine for Thanksgiving that we have selected to make your celebration unforgettable.

Best Thanksgiving wine pairings for Turkey and traditional courses

As we mentioned earlier, the best wines for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner are versatile, light reds that pair well with all courses or medium bodied whites with fruity notes. When choosing the best wine to pair with turkey for Thanksgiving, balance and versatility are especially important. However, if you want to impress your guests and create a tasting itinerary that includes a different wine for each course, there are other equally valid alternatives. From the aperitif to dessert, here is a traditional Thanksgiving menu with the perfect wine pairings:

• For appetizers like baked brie with honey, apple slices and croutons. We recommend pairing this dish with a Fumé Blanc by Robert Mondavi, which offers a crunchy, acidic contrast.
• For main courses like classic roast turkey with mashed potatoes and blueberry sauce, we recommend a glass of Tempranillo. Its medium acidity is perfect for balancing the richness of the potatoes and turkey, and its long finish pairs particularly well with the blueberry sauce.
• For side courses such as green beans or sweet potato casserole, we recommend a dry or medium-dry Riesling to balance and enhance the sweetness.
• For desserts like pumpkin or apple pie, we recommend either a Moscato or a Tawny Port, incredible wines that balance and enhance the spicy and sweet notes of traditional pies.

Alternative Thanksgiving menus and wine pairings

Nowadays, the Thanksgiving enjoyed by many American families is a blend of multiculturalism, innovation and tradition. Courses inspired by other cuisines or modern recipes are often added to the traditional turkey-based menu. Let’s dive into some different recipes and their best Thanksgiving wine pairings:

• Latin American inspired menus include Empanadas, spicy dishes and spicy sauces that go well with a refreshing rosé or an aromatic Zinfandel.
• Creole menus that include dishes such as gumbo or spicy étouffée call for acidic, structured wines such as Syrah, which offers depth without overpowering these intense flavors.
• Barbecue based menus, mostly popular in the Carolinas, feature grilled or smoked meats, such as pork ribs or beef brisket and pair beautifully with a Montepulciano d’Abruzzo.
• For Asian inspired menus with their characteristic spicy flavours, we recommend an aromatic wine with good acidity, such as Viognier. 

Thanksgiving wines to enjoy with pies and chocolate desserts

As for desserts, in addition to the classic pumpkin pie, the undisputed queen of Thanksgiving dinner, or classic pecan and apple pies, many families also feature other delicious alternatives. These include rich chocolate desserts, often served with red fruit reductions and creamy cheesecakes in a variety of flavours that pair well with sweet wines such as Sherry, which enhances the chocolate notes, or Moscato d’Asti, whose lively fizz provides an excellent contrast to the cheesecake’s creaminess. In the list below, we have selected a rare Palo Cortado produced in Spain and a delicious Moscato d’Asti made with Muscat grapes in the famous city of Asti.

Thanksgiving table settings ideas: the final touches that matter

A tastefully and elegantly decorated table sets the stage for welcoming guests and enjoying each course alongside the carefully selected wine.  For the table setting, we suggest a linen or cotton tablecloth in neutral colors, which will be the perfect base to add decorative touches such as leaves, small pumpkins, and candles. To make your guests feel important and appreciated, you can prepare place cards with their names and a little note explaining why you are grateful to them. It’s a small gesture, but a very powerful one for creating a welcoming and intimate atmosphere.  And if you really want to make the moment extra special, incorporate a few curated details that lend the occasion a sense of elegance and distinction, such as:

• Set up a station with glasses and bottles of wine selected for the occasion. This way, guests can serve themselves freely throughout the evening.
• Choose your glasses carefully to best complement each type of wine, including reds, whites, and sparkling wines. Before guests arrive, put the white wine glasses in the freezer for a few minutes to keep them at the ideal temperature longer.
• Set up an ice bucket for white, rosé, and sparkling wines. For reds, use an original container, such as a rustic wooden crate that recalls the aesthetic of autumnal vineyards.

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