How to Pick Wine for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a hard meal to pair wine with. There is turkey, but there is also stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, gravy and whatever else your family insists on. No single wine matches all of it perfectly, so the goal is to pick wines that get along with most of it.

What to look for

Good acidity matters more than anything else. Wines with fresh acidity cut through gravy and butter and keep your palate from getting tired.

Avoid wines that are very oaky or very tannic. Heavy oak clashes with cranberry sauce, and strong tannins make turkey taste dry.

Moderate alcohol helps too. Thanksgiving is a long meal, and most people are drinking for several hours.

Reds that work

Pinot Noir is the most common pick for a reason. It is light enough for turkey and has enough fruit for the sides.

Beaujolais, made from the Gamay grape, is another easy choice. It is light, low in tannin and good slightly chilled.

Zinfandel works if your table leans toward richer food, like sausage stuffing or smoked turkey.

Whites that work

Riesling is one of the most flexible wines on the table. An off-dry Riesling handles sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce better than almost anything else.

Chenin Blanc and unoaked Chardonnay are also safe bets.

Do not skip the bubbles

Sparkling wine goes with nearly everything, and it is a good way to start the meal while people are still arriving.

How much to buy

A standard 750 ml bottle pours about five glasses. A good rule is half a bottle per wine drinker for the whole day. Buy one or two extra bottles. Anything left over keeps for the next holiday.

If you are not sure where to start, tell us what you are cooking and how many people are coming. We will help you put together a mix.

Itasca Wine & Spirits is a locally owned wine and spirits shop at 706 North 1st Street in Minneapolis' North Loop. We pour wine tastings every Friday, and you can order online through DoorDash.