Swirl, Sip and Explore with our Thanksgiving Wine Recommendations
As you plan your holiday Thanksgiving festivities, take the guesswork out of finding the right wines for your Thanksgiving dinner! A traditional thanksgiving dinner with turkey and all the fixings can pair well with both red and white wines. Subtleties matter when pairing Thanksgiving dinner with wine and individual palates differ according to taste. Whether you are hosting Thanksgiving dinner or bringing your host a bottle of wine, save time and possible anxiety from all the choices available with the following wine recommendations.
Pinot and Zinfandel – The Classics
Pinot Noir: 2017 Ken Wright Pinot Noir // Willamette Valley AVA, Oregon
This light to medium bodied Pinot from the Willamette Valley Appellation in Oregon is rich and vibrant with complex flavors of red fruit notes – raspberry, cherry and spicy plum fruit. This smooth Pinot pairs great with poultry and vegetables. The value is good, around $25, and anyone who enjoys a good glass of Pinot should enjoy this. Balanced acidity, smooth and tasty. Find this wine at Total Wine & More.
Zinfandel: Ridge Three Valleys Red Zinfandel
This bold and slightly spicy blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignane and Grenache from Sonoma in California has a silky smooth texture with dark stone fruit of blackberries and concentrated plum on the front and cherries on the finish. The blend is fragrant, bold and dry yet won’t overpower food, like a Cabernet Sauvignon might. An excellent value for under $25. Find this wine at Total Wine & More.
Chardonnays from Sonoma
Chardonnay is a popular choice to pair with turkey. However, some Chardonnays are typically too oaky or buttery. Not everyone likes the extreme of too much oak or too much butter. We’ve narrowed down a couple of balanced Chardonnay options from Sonoma that you might enjoy. Sonoma is one of the world’s best cool-climate appellations which makes it ideal for elegant and balanced Chardonnays.
River Road Chardonnay Russian River Valley Reserve
Located in the heart of Sonoma County in California, Russian River Valley is home to some of the most acclaimed domestic Chardonnay. With just the right amount of oak and butter, this wine is the perfect balance for those who love their Chardonnay crisp and tart with a hint of oak.
Find this Chardonnay for under $22 on Total Wine & More
La Crema Chardonnay Sonoma Coast
This medium bodied Chardonnay is well balanced without excessive oak or butter. Presenting flavors of apple, pear and lemon, this Chardonnay is a good choice from those that don’t like an oaky taste.
Find this Chardonnay for under $13 on Total Wine & More
Interested in learning more about Sonoma wine country? Discover the source of your favorite California wines in our Sonoma Wine Country Map.
Crisp White Wines for Your Thanksgiving Table
Sauvignon Blanc
The popular choice in white wine for herbal qualities and bright fruit flavors. Qualities of Sauvignon Blanc range from citrus to tropical and even grassy notes (characteristic of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc).
Many Sauvignon Blancs tend to be high in acidity. The high acidity is a good compliment to salty foods and a refreshing taste on warm days. These light, typically crisp white wines pair well with a broad array of foods, throughout the year.
If you enjoy Chardonnay, try a Sauvignon Blanc from California for a fuller, dry fruity taste. For under $12 you can find the Kendall Jackson Sauvignon Blanc at Total Wine & More.
It’s not surprising that California claims the spot as America’s No. 1 wine producer! There are approximately 637,000 acres planted to wine grapes. Interested in delving further into the golden state’s captivating wine landscapes? Explore out distinctive, beautiful, and accurate California Wine Regions Map. This map makes an excellent gift for the California wine lovers.
Looking for a crispy and tasty New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc for under $12?
Look no further than King Maui Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Included on the list of top 20 wines of 2022 by Total Wine & More, this wine features fresh green melon, citrus and dry fruit flavors. Refreshing on the palate with a crisp, mouth-watering finish.
Interested in exploring New Zealand’s wine growing areas? Take a look at our New Zealand Wine Regions Map for distinctive cartographic details.
Pinot Grigios from Italy – Top Rated and Delicious
From the Veneto region of Italy, Armani Pinot Grigio Venezie is an excellent value from Armani’s best vineyards. Crisp apple and pear flavors are highlighted with light creaminess and low acidity. Find this wine for under $13 at Total Wine & More.
Another delicious Pinot Grigio from Italy, and on the list of top wines of 2022, is Laudato Pinot Grigio. Crisp and medium bodied with bright citrus and apple flavors. Find the wine for under $17 at Total Wine & More.
Why are Italian wines so famous? From white to red wines, discover the source of wines from Italy. Ponder the details as you explore our collectable Italy Wine Regions Map. Perfect for gift giving and a great conversation starter.
On the Sweet Side
Most of our wine suggestions for Thanksgiving are on the full, dry and crisp side. With a heavy meal we tend to shy away from sweet wines. However there are those that will only sip a sweet wine. For the slightly sweeter side, try a Riesling from Washington. Presenting flavors of concentrated poached pear and ripe apple, the Paradise Peak Sweet Riesling is on the lighter side of a Moscato.
Paradise Peak Sweet Riesling is found at Total Wine & More.
Did you know that Washington State ranks second in the United States after California in the production of wine?
A feast for the eyes and a fun way to explore wine with your guests: consider our Washington Wine Regions Map – Appellations & Wineries, with a detailed account of over 800 wineries and 20 Appellations.
Cheers to a Memorable Thanksgiving Gathering
Last but not least on our list is a California champagne from Paula Kornell. This American version of Champagne is made from a blend of three grapes – pinot noir, chardonnay, and pinot meunier. Easy to drink, the dry Brut is refreshing with aromas of lemon pith, fresh peaches, just-ripe apricots, toast, acacia, and honeysuckle. Sparkling wines may be served before, during, or after a meal and go with most food choices. They also add a celebratory note to any gathering.
The story of Paula Kornell is an interesting one. In her own words:
“I come from a long line of food and wine aficionados in my family who loved to entertain,” says Paula. “I continue that tradition with my own sparkling wines and a keen interest in pairings of all kinds. Having the chance to enjoy my wines with a high-end pairing like caviar but also be able to show its excellence with fried chicken is a dream.”
Learn more about Paula Kornell Sparkling Wines here.
Paula Kornell Sparkling California can be found on Total Wines & More
We hope you enjoyed our list of 9 wines plus our special California sparkler recommended for your Thanksgiving table. From the wine novice to the connoisseur, your guests will appreciate your wine selections.
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Cheers and Happy Thanksgiving!