Thanksgiving Wine Pairings for Every Table

Thanksgiving is about gathering around a table filled with good food, laughter, and the people you love — and no celebration is complete without the right wine to match.
Whether you’re pulling a perfectly chilled bottle from your wine fridge or uncorking something new from your local shop, the trick isn’t perfection — it’s balance: having a mix of wines that complement the variety of dishes on your table and the different palates of your guests.

From bubbly beginnings to dessert-ready sips, here’s your go-to guide to Thanksgiving wine pairings for every table.

Start the Celebration — Sparkling Wines

Before the turkey even hits the oven, pop something bubbly. Sparkling wine instantly elevates the mood and pairs beautifully with appetizers and cheese boards.

Why it works: The crisp bubbles and refreshing acidity cleanse the palate between bites of salty cheese, fruit, or buttery pastries.

Try:

• Brut Champagne or Crémant — classic and elegant.
  
  
• Prosecco — light, approachable, and budget-friendly.
  
  
• Sparkling Rosé — a festive, fruit-forward option that looks gorgeous in the glass.
  
  

Pairs with: Cheese and charcuterie, roasted nuts, fresh fruit, or that first round of snacks everyone gathers around.

Hosting this year? Don’t forget to grab our Holiday Wine Tasting Printable Kit (with food pairings!) — it includes a simple tasting guide, printable bottle tags, and pairing ideas to help you create a fun, stress-free setup for guests. It’s the perfect complement to your Thanksgiving wine lineup.

Crowd-Pleasing Whites

When in doubt, white wine is your Thanksgiving MVP — bright, food-friendly, and flexible enough to pair with nearly everything on the table.

Why it works: Whites with good acidity and texture can cut through the richness of buttery mashed potatoes or gravy-coated turkey without overpowering delicate flavors.

Try:

• Chardonnay (lightly oaked) — smooth and balanced with notes of vanilla and baked apple.
  
  
• Sauvignon Blanc — zesty and citrus-driven; a great match for herbed stuffing or green beans.
  
  
• Viognier — Rachel’s pick. If you can find a slightly oaked Viognier, it offers a lush, aromatic profile — think honeysuckle, peach, and spice — that pairs beautifully with roasted turkey or butternut squash.
  
  

Pairs with: Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, roasted veggies, and creamy sides.

Lighter Reds Everyone Loves

Not all reds need to be bold — lighter styles can be incredible with Thanksgiving dishes, especially when cranberry sauce and roasted vegetables are involved.

Why it works: These wines have bright fruit and gentle tannins, so they complement rather than compete with your meal.

Try:

• Pinot Noir — the classic Thanksgiving red, known for its silky texture and cherry-berry notes.
  
  
• Gamay (Beaujolais) — vibrant, juicy, and slightly earthy — it practically tastes like fall. It’s the perfect match for turkey, herbs, and sweet-savory sides.
  
  

Pairs with: Roast turkey, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, roasted carrots, and mushroom dishes.

Bold Reds for the Meat Lovers

If your family adds roast beef, glazed ham, or wild mushrooms to the table, you’ll want a red with a little more structure.

Why it works: Medium- to full-bodied reds bring richness and spice that can stand up to hearty flavors.

Try:

• Zinfandel — fruit-forward with a peppery kick; amazing with glazed ham or sausage stuffing.
  
  
• Syrah / Shiraz — deep, savory notes of blackberry and spice for bold dishes.
  
  
• Cabernet Franc — a touch lighter than Cabernet Sauvignon but herbaceous and earthy — great with mushroom or lentil-based mains.
  
  

Pairs with: Prime rib, glazed ham, grilled mushrooms, or any dish with depth and spice.

Sweet Endings — Dessert Wines

Don’t stop sipping when dessert arrives — the right sweet wine can make that final course even more special.

Why it works: A dessert wine should be sweeter than the dessert itself, creating balance instead of bitterness.

Try:

• Moscato d’Asti — lightly sparkling and floral; a beautiful match for pumpkin pie or anything with cinnamon and spice.
  
  
• Late Harvest Riesling — luscious, honeyed sweetness with bright acidity; perfect for apple desserts.
  
  
• Port — rich, velvety, and full of dark chocolate and dried fruit notes — ideal with pecan pie or chocolate desserts.
  

🍁 Final Pour

Before guests arrive, make sure your wines are stored at the right temperature — whites and sparkling chilled, reds slightly cool — so every pour tastes its best.
 If you’re hosting this year, a Dual-Zone Wine Fridge can make your life much easier, keeping both reds and whites ready to serve at their ideal temps.

And if you want to make your holiday hosting even easier, download our free Wine Tasting Party Guide and printable bottle tags — perfect for setting up a small tasting station or gifting a bottle to your guests.

Sip Smart this season — and cheers to a Thanksgiving worth savoring.
— Rachel,

CEO

Premier Wine Coolers