Holiday Wine Pairings

Thanksgiving is a day to relish good company and delectable tastes – right down to the wines that accompany each course. Enhance your menu by selecting wines that will delight your guests and complement the holiday’s unique flavors.

Wine Pairings for Thanksgiving Day

With its cornucopia of flavors, Thanksgiving is the year’s most scrumptious day. Whether your holiday meals incorporate gourmet twists on old favorites or stick with traditional tastes, there’s a wine for every menu.

For a day of so many tastes, you don’t have to stick to standard pairings - instead, look for light wines that work with the many flavors on your table and don’t overwhelm the palette. Our recommendation: choose three light and flavorful wines that will elegantly move your holiday dining from the appetizers to the main course and right through to dessert. Or, if you prefer to serve just one signature wine, each of these will also complement a full day of feasting on its own.

Rosé Right Away

Serve something festive to your guests as they arrive. Crisp and light sparkling Rosé is far from just a summer drink; experts say it’s ideal for yearlong sipping. We suggest pairing it with your Thanksgiving appetizers—charcuterie, perhaps? This refreshing wine won’t overpower the aromas coming from the oven and will keep your guests excited about what’s to come. As an aperitif, choose a Rosé that’s lighter in color with a lower alcohol content (around 12%), serving it at a refreshing 50 to 60 degrees from your beverage center or refrigerator’s flexible storage drawer.

A Classic Thanksgiving Dinner with Pinot Noir

The light-bodied Pinot Noir is ideal for a main course full of rich, savory flavors. Featuring fruity notes like cherry, earthy tones like mushroom, and traditional spices like cinnamon, it won’t overshadow your oyster dressing or steal thunder from that exquisitely roasted turkey. It is, however, complex enough to offer a sophisticated complement to each unique flavor. Experts advise reading the label’s tasting notes, letting personal tastes guide your selection. Pro tip: A dual zone wine reserve will keep your Pinot Noir just slightly chilled at 55 to 60 degrees.

For the Finale: Sauvignon Blanc Adds Delight to Dessert

Dessert is arguably the most important part of Thanksgiving, and with its fruitiness, a Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with most sweet dishes—think sweet potato or pumpkin pie—and it’s especially good with fruit tarts. These white wines are largely dry, but you’ll find sweeter choices, too; experiment with both for a memorable holiday meal finale.

Save Room for Leftovers with Dedicated Wine Centers

Even the most well-appointed refrigerators with flexible storage fill up fast on the holidays. Spaces for fresh ingredients used in meal prep will soon be occupied with leftovers (the perfect lunch post- Black Friday shopping), so a dedicated wine reserve is key. Dual zone wine chillers offer space for up to 46 bottles (and up to eight 1.5L magnum-size bottles) so you can ensure your Thanksgiving Day guests will have all their wine pairings served at the ideal temperatures.