Which wines to drink for Thanksgiving? All our top tips.

Work on your food and wine pairings to enhance your Thanksgiving meal.

Golden roast turkey, creamy mash, sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows, tangy cranberry sauce or Canadian variations like tourtière and, of course, the wonderfully spiced pies… This great autumn feast, that is sure to tantalize the taste buds, positively cries out for some equally impressive wine pairings. So, which wines should you open to truly complement the menu? Here are our recommendations to accompany those signature Thanksgiving dishes.

The star of the meal deserves a pairing that matches its stature.

As the star of the meal, turkey can easily become a little dry on cooking. It is therefore best to pair it with a supple red wine, that is low in tannins, so as not to overwhelm its delicate flesh. We recommend a fresh wine with notes of red fruit and even a hint of spice.

Why not try a light Pinot Noir from Oregon or California? These wines are highly regarded for their balance and fruity aromas, and are every bit as enticing as their French counterparts from Alsace or Burgundy. And if you prefer gourmet wines, Beaujolais vintages such as Fleurie or Chiroubles make excellent choices, but a Californian Zinfandel, with its abundant fruitiness and spicy notes, is also a perfect match for roast turkey and its accompanying vegetables. They pair beautifully with poultry, roasted vegetables and the famous Thanksgiving cranberry sauce.

Looking for a red wine with a little more structure, without being overpowering? Try a Merlot from Napa Valley, which offers a smooth and velvety texture on the palate.

While red wine remains a classic choice, the freshness and finesse of white wine and the elegance of champagne also pair wonderfully with turkey. 

A Chardonnay that is not overly oaky, yet lively and full-bodied, can beautifully complement the tender texture of poultry. Consider the elegant Chardonnays from Burgundy as well as California, particularly from the Sonoma and Carneros regions.

Whereas a wine from the Jura region, such as a Savagnin or a Chardonnay, will bring interesting nutty notes to a wild mushroom side dish or a vegetarian stuffing.

And if you’re looking for a more festive pairing, Champagne is of course a great choice. But if you want to stay true to that American feel, a sparkling wine from California, often made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, pairs beautifully with stuffed turkey, chestnuts or a mushroom sauce. This type of cuvée has ample body and pairs well with stuffed poultry, chestnuts or a mushroom sauce.

Which wines go well with Thanksgiving desserts?

Thanksgiving is also renowned for its delicious homemade desserts such as pumpkin pie, apple crumble, caramelized pecans pie or butter tarts, all of which are the perfect excuse to bring out a sweet but not too heavy dessert wine an opportunity to prolong the indulgence without overwhelming the flavors.

For example, a semi-dry Montlouis, with its notes of quince, honey and baked apple, works to perfection. A well-balanced Coteaux du Layon or a sweet Gaillac also offer wonderful aromatic complexity without being overly sweet.

Thanksgiving, an opportunity to travel through food and wine pairings.

Since Thanksgiving is a North American holiday, why not give a nod to its origins by opening a bottle from elsewhere? After all, this holiday reflects the history of a continent where many cultures converged and blended, each contributing to the culinary traditions and flavors that we find on our tables today.

A Beaujolais Village or a Merlot can be excellent choices for a French red wine, especially if you like wines that are a little more rounded.

As for whites, a dry German Riesling lends freshness, while balancing the sweet and savory dishes that make up this celebratory meal.

And for a more sun-drenched option, why not try a Borsao Berola? Its blend of Syrah and Grenache grapes makes it a full-bodied wine, straight from sunny Spain.