🦃 The Thanksgiving Wine Cheat Sheet

Thanksgiving might be my favorite holiday for wine because there are SO many great pairing options. But it can also be one of the most confusing meals to pair.

Think about what’s actually on the table: turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, green beans…and somehow one wine is supposed to work with all of that?!

The good news is you really don’t need to overthink it.

Here’s my Thanksgiving wine cheat sheet:

Turkey → Pinot Noir or Cru Beaujolais
Both are lighter reds with great acidity, so they complement turkey without overpowering it. Pinot Noir is the classic choice, but Cru Beaujolais is a fun alternative if you want to try something different.

Ham → Riesling or Chenin Blanc
Ham usually has some sweetness and plenty of salt, so I love pairing it with a white wine that has bright acidity and a little fruitiness. Riesling and Chenin Blanc are both fantastic options.

Mashed Potatoes + Gravy → Chardonnay
This is where I want a wine with a little more body. Chardonnay can stand up to all that butter and richness while still having enough acidity to keep the pairing from feeling too heavy.

Cranberry Sauce → Gamay
Cranberry sauce is tart, fruity and surprisingly tricky with wine. Gamay has that same bright red-fruit character and freshness, which makes it a natural match. (And yes, Gamay is the grape in Beaujolais!)

Pumpkin Pie → Tawny Port
One important dessert rule: your wine should be at least as sweet as your dessert. Tawny Port has gorgeous nutty, caramel and dried-fruit flavors that are perfect with all those warm pumpkin pie spices.

And if you only want to buy one wine?

Champagne. 🥂 Yes, I know - I always go to bubbles, but seriously…it’s the easiest wine to pair with any food! Champagne has high acidity, bubbles and enough versatility to work with an absurd number of foods. It’s fantastic with salty foods, fried appetizers, turkey and plenty of your Thanksgiving sides.

Plus, it’s Thanksgiving. Pop the Champagne.

And remember, Thanksgiving dinner doesn't need a perfect wine pairing for every single dish. Buy a few bottles you love, put them on the table and let everyone try different combinations.

Wine is supposed to make the meal more fun, not more stressful.