The Best Wine to Drink With Your Favorite Thanksgiving Dish

As we all know, Thanksgiving dinner is really a hodgepodge of dishes. There’s usually the standard fare—turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and some type of cranberry sauce or relish—but Aunt Phyllis might show up with a Jell-O salad, and Cousin Bruce might bring meatballs in sauce (this actually happened one year at my house)!

So, what wine should you serve? Typically, one chooses a wine based on the entrée, and you can certainly do that here, but with such a mix of flavors, Thanksgiving is the one meal where you should feel free to think outside of the bottle (get it? Haha).

Here are a few varietals that work great with a mishmash of Thanksgiving dishes:

If you’re serving an appetizer, like my favorite sausage balls, pour a sparkling wine such as Cava or Prosecco. The bubbles help cut through the richness of the food and are a fun, festive way to start the celebration.

Red Zinfandel, a uniquely American wine, offers a wide range of spicy and fruity notes that complement the mix of herbs and spices found in Thanksgiving dishes. Its fruitiness contrasts nicely with tart cranberry sauce, while its richness pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes.

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Pinot Noir—especially those from Oregon, which are light and earthy—goes wonderfully with the multifaceted flavors of stuffing. It’s also excellent for cutting through the richness of turkey and complements root vegetable dishes like sweet potato casserole and maple-glazed carrots.

A lightly oaked Chardonnay pairs beautifully with classic roasted turkey, buttery mashed potatoes, and herbed stuffing, as its smooth texture and fruit notes enhance both savory and rich dishes. For a brighter, fresher option, an unoaked Chardonnay’s crisp acidity balances creamy sides like macaroni and cheese or green bean casserole.

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Gewürztraminer is an aromatic, slightly sweet yet lively wine that pairs perfectly with the holiday’s bold and varied flavors. Its notes of lychee, spice, and rose complement dishes like glazed ham, roasted turkey with cranberry sauce, and spiced sweet potatoes. The wine’s rich texture and gentle sweetness also balance the savory and herbal elements of stuffing and roasted root vegetables.