Thanksgiving is no doubt one of the best days of the year for eating good food and drinking wine. But it’s easy to get overwhelmed thinking of all of the pairings for turkey and trimmings—and how many bottles are needed for the crowd of in-laws, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins and nieces and nephews graduated from the kiddy table.
“I love the holidays—Thanksgiving is by far my favorite, because we get to eat and drink and spend time together around the table!” says Master Sommelier Chris Gaither. “I love sharing fun finds with my friends and family by having them blind taste delicious wines that will blow their minds.”
To help you pick the best Thanksgiving wines for your table, Wine Spectator reached out to 18 top sommeliers across the country for their favorite bottles under $30 to share with loved ones. They came up with more than 35 picks—spanning 28 categories of sparkling wines, rosés, whites and reds—that are crowd-pleasing, wallet-friendly and perfect for kicking off the holiday season.
Sparkling Wines
Crémant de Alsace
“The Christophe Mittnacht Cremant d’Alsace Extra Brut. This wine over-delivers for the folks that love Champagne—most folks that blind taste it think it’s just that! A blend of five different grapes from Alsace, with the majority being Auxerrois. Great for the opener to dinner, when we are chatting with friends and family, snacking from the cheese board and watching football, interspersed with reruns of Yu Yu Hakusho.”—Chris Gaither, Master Sommelier and owner of Ungrafted, San Francisco, and wine director of Las’ Lap, Miami
Crémant de Bourgogne
“Albert Bichot Crémant de Bourgogne Brut Réserve will give you all the feels of Champagne without the price. This producer uses a blend of 60 percent Chardonnay and 40 percent Pinot Noir grapes, very reminiscent of Champagne producers, and will be a festive way to start a meal.”—Tia Barrett, general manager and beverage director at Hav & Mar, New York City
Lambrusco
“Lambrusco should also be on everyone’s table. The Medici Ermete Secco Lambrusco Reggiano ‘Arte e Concerto’ is the first single-vineyard Lambrusco ever bottled. It has fruity notes, drying [tannins] and it’s sparkling—fun and festive for the table.”—Colin Tuska, wine director and beverage manager, Monteverde, Chicago
Oregon Sparkling Wines
“Eyrie Vineyards’ Spark NV is a delicious and under-the-radar sparkling rosé. Coming from the pioneering Oregon winery, it brings the wow factor as everyone gets settled in for the meal. It’s an amazing cocktail wine and plays nice with the smorgasbord of snacks and appetizers, like cheese and charcuterie, pâté, dips and crackers and crudité platters.”—Logan Griffin, director of food and beverage, Blackberry Mountain, Walland, Tenn.
“This Thanksgiving I’m bringing, drinking and gifting sparkling wines from the Willamette Valley, Oregon. Anyone who knows me knows I’m a ‘Champagne Girl.’ During a long visit there this summer for Pinot Camp, I learned about the really great number of high-quality sparklers coming from this region mostly known for Chardonnay and Pinots, offered with great value and affordability. Among my favorites are Soter, Winderlea and Flaneur.”—Princeton Saunders, sommelier of Miller Union, Atlanta
“A sparkling wine sets a celebratory tone, and Argyle’s Brut delivers freshness with balance. Apple, pear and citrus meet a subtle brioche note that echoes holiday aromas. The bubbles sweep the palate clean after creamy sides, and the bright finish keeps everyone reaching for another pour.”—Anna Arfaras, floor manager and sommelier at Best of Award of Excellence winner Manuela, New York City
Pét-Nats
“The Landron Chartier 'Natür'lich' Rosé Pét-Nat [from France’s Loire Valley] is a sparkling rosé made from Grolleau and Cabernet Franc. It’s got juicy red berry fruit, pink grapefruit and a faint herbaceousness. Great for rich starters and an initial bubbly to greet your Thanksgiving palate!”—Ren Neuman, wine director of Printemps, New York City
Riesling Sekt
“Any holiday—or any day, really—should have bubbles. Sparkling Riesling lends itself well to all of the classic dishes, turkey, stuffing and even apple pie!”—Rachel Coe, wine director of Best of Award of Excellence winner Quince, San Francisco
White Wines
Albariño
“The Reboraina 2024 is from outside of the Rías Baixas appellation. This family has been producing wine in the region for three generations and around a thousand cases are produced. [The wine has] maritime influence, but is a bit higher in elevation, around 150 meters. Nectarine, chamomile and mineral finish. Crisp and salty, but rounder on the mid-palate. Unbeatable quality and price! It opens the appetite—let's start Thanksgiving.”—Jordi Paronella, wine director for José Andrés Group, including Best of Award of Excellence winner the Bazaar by José Andrés, Washington, D.C., and Txula Steak, New York City
Alsatian Gewürztraminer
“The Trimbach Gewürztraminer is all about its seductive aromatics that wake up the senses and make you hungry as you smell it. Its floral punchiness, with its ripe stone and orchard fruit flavors with just a touch of sweetness, is perfect for all the salty snacks, baked goods and desserts.”—Logan Griffin
California White Rhône Blends
“The Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas Blanc from Paso Robles is a textured, rich white wine with obvious aromatics perfect for the Thanksgiving table. This wine can stand up to all the creaminess and gravy-laden sides while still refreshing your palate in between bites.”—Logan Griffin
Friulano
“[For Thanksgiving], I like whites with weight—Friulano is perfect, like from Murva or Due Del Monte.”—Carlin Karr, wine director for Frasca Hospitality Group, including Best of Award of Excellence winner Frasca Food & Wine
Mexican White Blends
“Casa Magoni from the Valle de Guadalupe in Mexico makes a juicy and easy-drinking Chardonnay and Vermentino blend with aromas of tropical fruit—pineapple, mango—that is just asking for some turkey, stuffing and sweet potato casserole. Mmm … I can taste it already.”—Chris Gaither
Melon de Bourgogne
“The Pépière La Pépie Muscadet 2023. This is a cheerful and easy wine that I think everyone should bring to their Thanksgiving table. It encompasses any drinker at the table, whether you prefer Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc or other whites … . It’s flinty, dry, super delicious and at a great price. Muscadet is classically paired with oysters, but this would be great for the entire meal.”—Colin Tuska
Soave Classico
“For white wines, I immediately jump to Italy. Italy has so many grape varieties at all types of price points, and the whites are criminally underrated! I love a Soave Classico, made from the Garganega grape and hailing from northern Italy. These wines typically have a round, smooth body with spiced yellow apple and pear notes that work great as both a red and white meat white wine.”—Sydney Fusto, wine director of Best of Award of Excellence winner Manhatta, New York City
Oregon Pinot Gris
“Sokol Blosser Pinot Gris. A bright and generous white that brings balance to the table. This Pinot Gris offers orchard fruit, gentle citrus and just enough texture to stand up to turkey and stuffing. Fresh acidity keeps creamy sides feeling light, and the finish is crisp, clean, and cheerful.”—Anna Arfaras
Rosés
Txakolina Rosé
“The Gañeta Rose 2024 is probably the only 100 percent Hondarrabi Beltza Txakolina Rosé from 50-year-old vines. Family-owned since 1980 and sustainably farmed, this wine is slightly effervescent, like traditional Getariako Txakolina. Floral and red apple notes, with a slightly salty finish. Where are the veggies?!”—Jordi Paronella
Chinon Rosé
“Wines from the Loire Valley—white, red, sparkling, rosé, even sweet, whatever you are interested in—can work well for the holiday, either as a pairing with dinner or as just a bottle to enjoy with friends and family. This is a massive region full of value and quality with many styles that can match a wide range of food and social environments. Thibaud Boudignon is my go-to for Loire rosé. Lots of layers of texture with a strawberry-acid lift!”—Matt Turner, wine director of Lei, New York City
Red Wines
Beaujolais
“Beaujolais is always a feature on the Thanksgiving table for me. Tart, crunchy red fruit notes and bright acidity make it easily pairable with the classic Thanksgiving dinner.”—Jade Palmer, general manager and sommelier of Madeira Park, Atlanta
“Beaujolais is the most traditional go-to and often is easy to find great options at that price point. I love Château Thivin Côte de Brouilly for a crunchy mineral expression of Gamay.”—Carlin Karr
California Zinfandel
“Turley Zinfandel is amongst Zinfandel royalty in California. It always shows off this attractive jammy fruit character with undertones of spice and black pepper. It’s perfect with a piece of white meat with a smear of cranberry sauce. The savory flavors of the turkey with the tart flavors of the cranberry harmonize with this wine.”—Logan Griffin
“For Thanksgiving dinner, I really like to use red wines with a good amount of fruit. They can pair well with all of the possible flavors that may have some sweeter notes like cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, or any type of fruits that may be in your stuffing. Zin is a ‘go-to’ for me because of its spicy fruit, and it can pair well with almost anything on the table. One of my favorite budget buys is the Dashe Zinfandel Vineyard Select 2022. I love the balance of acidity with fruit and spice. Aromas of sweet baking spices with both dark and red fruits moving to some chocolatey notes with a long, dry finish.”—Jill Gubesch, wine director of Award of Excellence winners Frontera Grill and Topolobampo, Chicago
Chianti Classico
“On the more structured side of the spectrum, great Sangiovese from Chianti Classico is a versatile and food-friendly option. I love the more alpine, darker fruited expressions from high-altitude vineyards like Tregole in Castellina.”—Carlin Karr
Chinon
“Bernard Baudry Les Granges Chinon, a $28 Cabernet Franc, is made for Thanksgiving! It somehow brings both savory depth and popping cherry brightness to the table. Les Granges is great with a slight chill!”—Ren Neuman
Finger Lakes Blaufränkisch
“One of my favorite budget Thanksgiving wines is Hosmer Winery’s Lemberger [a grape known as Blaufränkisch in Austria] from Cayuga Lake. Their 2022 vintage has strong Gamay characteristics: Juicy, medium-light body with bright yet approachable acidity that will make any turkey or game bird sing. Their 2023 vintage has a little more structure and stronger baking spice presence, but with the same acidity that can cut through rivers of gravy with ease. We all love a tried and true Beaujolais Nouveau, but would never miss out on an opportunity to share a little local terroir with family and friends.”—Ricky Dolinsky, beverage director of the View, New York City
Frappato
“Thanksgiving is stressful enough. When thinking about wine for a crowd without breaking the bank, I like pulling something from a lesser-known corner of the world. You can expand your geographical palate and win the day, if not the turkey trot. A reliable standout for me would be Mortellito wines—Frappato lightly macerated to a translucent cherry hue. For whites, try Grillo, grown next to the Sicilian ocean.”—Hannah Harrington, sommelier at Smithereens, New York City
Italian Pelaverga
“ Many people talk about Beaujolais, which is a great Thanksgiving wine, but this grape variety—Pelaverga—is a stunner with notes of white pepper, dark cherry and cranberry. It’s light with medium body, great structure with fall foliage aromatics. The Diego Morra Pelaverga [from Verduna, in Piedmont], will dance nicely throughout the entire meal with an herbal, long finish. It offers a style adjacent to Barolo without the grip, tannins and the price. It’s my go-to at home.”—Colin Tuska
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
“I always feel a surge of excitement when I indulge in a wine from the Margaret River region in Western Australia. This renowned area beautifully combines my two favorite wine styles, Bordeaux and Burgundy, offering a delightful fusion of tradition and local flair. The Vasse Felix Filius Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay exemplify this harmony, paying homage to old-world winemaking while introducing unique, vibrant characteristics. Their distinctive zest adds an extra layer of complexity and enjoyment, making every sip a memorable experience. For wine enthusiasts like me, Margaret River’s offerings are a perfect blend of heritage, innovation and affordability that captivates my palate.”—Brian Huynh, wine director of the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, including Best of Award of Excellence winner the Mansion Restaurant, Dallas
Santa Barbara Pinot Noir
“For Thanksgiving, I’d bring the Tyler Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2022. Justin Willett captures the precision and lift of this cool, coastal region with an emphasis on site expression and minimal oak. The wine shows bright red cherry and savory herbal spice, making it a natural match for roast turkey, herb stuffing and mushroom sides.”—Alfie Wang, head sommelier at Rosewood Miramar Beach, including Best of Award of Excellence winner Caruso’s, Montecito, Calif.
Spanish Tempranillo
“The Bardos Viñedos de Altura 2021 is from higher Tempranillo vines planted around 950 meters in Soria. Aged for 12 months in different oak vessels, this wine is an explosion of blueberry and red cherries, floral, spices and a kiss of vanilla. Intense, balanced with integrated acidity. Let’s bring the cranberry sauce.”—Jordi Paronella
“I can usually find a great, full-bodied Rioja in any grocery store wine section. A softer approach than your typical Cabernet, and a great value option for those who opt for richer reds.”—Rachel Coe
Spanish Garnacha
“Bodega y Viñedos Bernabeleva Vinos de Madrid Navaherreros is an elegant but fruity and spicy Garnacha from central Spain. It’s a playful and geeky wine to show off to your family around the dinner table. Its red fruit core and lingering finish are delicious with the dark meat, sweet potato casserole and traditional dressing.”—Logan Griffin
Rhônes
“For Thanksgiving, I’m looking for juicy, medium-bodied reds with softer tannin profiles and more voluptuous whites with a fuller texture. One of my absolute go-tos for deliciousness and value is the Southern Rhône Valley in France. Here you can find solid Côtes-du-Rhône reds and blends of Grenache and Syrah that you can usually get for around $20 or below. If you’re looking for a little more complexity, Vacqueyras is a designated appellation around Châteauneuf-du-Pape that is very similar, but will only set you back around $35.”—Sydney Fusto
“St.-Cosme Côtes du Rhône. I love Grenache-dominated wines when there are a lot of different flavors to contend with. Grenache has this ability to handle sweet flavors, spicy flavors, earthy flavors and so on without getting lost. This wine’s strawberry tones, dried herb aromatics and earthy finish is perfect for all the secret family recipe casseroles.”—Logan Griffin
“A go-to is Rhône blends that have weight and juicy fruit to stand up to the variety of flavors at the table. Jean-Louis Chave Sélection Mon Coeur is a great example and usually one that I can find at any great wine shop.”—Carlin Karr
“Stylistically, when I go to my wine shop, I look for Gigondas, a French growing region in the south of the Rhône known for producing GSM [Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre] grapes. It will provide you with silky, ripe fruit, sometimes earthy, that can pair with your turkey, stuffing, or even a lamb or duck entrée. This wine is full-bodied but not overtly tannic, making it ready to drink now or suitable for cellaring for quite some time.”—Tia Barrett
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