Best Wines to Celebrate Thanksgiving

Booze is equally important as food, even though it is the main focal point of Thanksgiving celebrations. Choosing the perfect wines for your Thanksgiving dinner can seem overwhelming–however, we’ve got a few simple guidelines to ensure that all of your bases are covered.

Think about what you are putting on the table. Thanksgiving meals are rich in earthy flavours, fall-inspired and savoury. The meat isn’t too heavy, the sweet flavours are plentiful (hello, candied yams and cranberry sauce), and it is important to keep palates satisfied.

Look for wines with bright acidity, low levels of tannins and easy-to-drink fruit forwardness. This could be games or pinot noirs in the red category. Whites are best to stick with Chenin, pinot noir, or other high-acid wines. Palate-stimulating bubbles are also a good choice.

Are you unsure where to start? These are the top wines for Thanksgiving.

Best Overall: Guy Breton Regnie

This refreshing, easy-drinking Gamay is the best choice for Thanksgiving Day meals. Gamay goes well with many foods, such as turkey, sweet potatoes, and cranberry sauce. Guy Breton is also a leading natural farmer in France’s Beaujolais area. This means that these wines are made with organically-farmed fruit and native yeasts. He also has a light hand when it comes to the cellar. Are you looking for delicious, affordable wines that are responsibly made? We are here to help.

Best Red: Sean Minor Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

A bottle of domestic pinot noir is a great choice if you want something fruity and sweet like Gamay, but with more power. Sean Minor’s delicious, easy-drinking pinot is made from sustainably-farmed fruit from the Sonoma Coast. It is packed with juicy flavours such as red cherries, currants and strawberry jam, sweet baking spice, and sweet baking spices. This one is less than $20 per bottle, so we recommend it as a great house wine.

Best White: Domaine de l’Enchantoir Saumur Terres Blanches

Chenin blanc is a great white grape variety for Thanksgiving. Its zesty, apple-driven flavours and high acidity levels make it a perfect choice with all the other dishes. Domaine de l’Enchantoir’s organic wine is rich and balanced. It’s full of flavours like yellow apples, crushed rocks, honey, and juicy stone fruits. Saumur has some excellent and affordable cabernet franc and Chenin in the Loire Valley.

Best Sparkling: HildElbling Sekt

A holiday would not be complete without sparkling wine. If you are looking for a good brut without breaking the bank, consider other regions that produce bubbly. The German enabling grape is used in this bottle. However, it is a very memorable wine. This wine is best paired with pre-dinner hors D’oeuvres and buttery mashed potatoes.

Best Budget: Lapierre Raisins Gaulois

This Beaujolais Gamay is an easy-to-drink wine for just $20. It is easy to drink because of its near-absent tannins, bright flavours of red currants, white pepper and tart cherries. This wine is great for long conversations after dinner.

Best Rose: Bernard Baudry Chinon Rose

Roses are not only for summer, so forget the myth. Rose wines that are well-made are the best for food. For even better bottles, we recommend staying away from mass-produced brands. Instead, look for small, responsible farmers. This organically-farmed rose, Chinon, France, is made from Cabernet franc. This fruit-driven wine is balanced with peppery undertones that make it great for pairing with green beans or other vegetables.