Choose the Perfect Thanksgiving Wine

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Forget about trying to find a wine that pairs as well with a drumstick as it does with a sweet potato. It's pointless.

Thanksgiving dinner is such a complex meal with fruity and savory flavors at every turn.. There's white and dark meat. There are sweet and rich yams, tart cranberries, buttery mashed potatoes, stuffing made with any number of ingredients, and spicy pumpkin pie for dessert.

You might, as some purists do, serve only American wines at this uniquely American holiday. California has long been an obvious source, but great wines are now coming out of Oregon, Washington, Texas, Colorado, Missouri, and Virginia.

There are no hard-and-fast rules for picking the right wine but the most important consideration is the wine's taste, how it complements what you're serving, Whether you favor whites or reds, lighter and less complex wines go better with the traditional Thanksgiving feast than heavier, more complicated ones. If you're drinking all day, make sure to choose wines light and lower in alcohol. Remember to have plenty of sparkling water on hand.

A lot of people like to start with a light sparkling wine and then switch with dinner.

The Whites

Though the standby white wine for many is Chardonnay, the oakiness and intensity of most Chardonnays is not ideal for the Thanksgiving feast. Consider instead white wines that are refreshing, tangy, and fruity, such as:

Viognier: Floral and fruity, with essences of peach, apricot, and pear. Low acidity.

Chenin Blanc: Spicy and slightly sweet with high acidity.

Sauvignon Blanc: Light and crisp, with grassy or herbaceous flavors. Higher acidity.

Riesling: Can be dry or sweet; spicy, fruity flavor with touches of peaches or apricots and a floral fragrance.

Gewurztraminer: Assertive whites, these have flavors of grapefruit and peach. We prefer dry or just slightly off-dry styles with the Thanksgiving meal.

The Reds

Yes, you can serve red wine with turkey breast. You don't want to serve Cabernet because it is generally too tart and high in tannins to match well with turkey, but you can serve a lighter red. A bold red wine has long been the choice for the perfect wine to serve at the Thanksgiving table.. Consider any of the following:

Pinot Noir: Younger wines are fruity with essence of plums, strawberries, cherries, and raspberries. Often older wines have a more complex flavor..

Syrah: Strong spice and black pepper qualities. Older syrahs are fruitier, with some smokiness. Also called Shiraz if it comes from Australia.

Zinfandel: Lots of intense, plummy, jammy flavors with spicy or peppery notes.

Beaujolais: Light and dry with fresh, fruity flavors. Choose more recent vintages and serve it slightly chilled.

Between Red and White

Rose: Crisp, light, and fruity, this lovely light pink wine (much drier than syrupy White Zinfandel) might be just the thing to serve with the hearty meal.

Our Picks: All Under $20!

DeLoach California Pinot Noir

Castle Rock Mendocino Pinot Noir

Wallace Brook Pinot Noir

Benziger Family Sauvignon Blanc

Honig Sauvignon Blanc

Don & Sons Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Pascual Toso Sparkling Brut

Mercer Estates Reisling

Four Vines, Old Vine Cuvée

Boxcar Syrah

Gruet Sparkling Wine (under $10, a find!)

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