The Ultimate Thanksgiving Wine Pairings Guide

By Coravin

Warm Thanksgiving or fall gathering scene with a table set for dinner, featuring roast turkey, corn, wine glasses filled with red wine, and decorative pumpkins, while people dine and one person plays a ukulele.

Perfect Pairings for Your Feast

Thanksgiving is all about the food – but where there's great food, there must be great wine. Whether you're hosting the full feast or bringing a side dish, the right Thanksgiving wine pairing can turn your meal into something truly memorable.

This year, we're highlighting easy-to-make dishes and their perfect wine pairings – from sides to the star of the show and, of course, dessert.

🥗 Thanksgiving Side Dish Wine Pairings

Green Beans with Orange Zest + Pinot Grigio

Light, bright, and refreshing, green beans with orange zest bring a pop of color and flavor to any Thanksgiving table. This simple dish pairs beautifully with a crisp Pinot Grigio, like Robert Mondavi's version with aromas of pear and citrus that complement the tang of orange zest.

Pro Tip: Pinot Grigio's high acidity helps cut through buttery dishes, making it a versatile Thanksgiving white wine for other sides, too.

Goat Cheese & Chive Mashed Potatoes + Fumé Blanc

Mashed potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple, and this creamy, tangy twist deserves a wine that balances richness with freshness. Try a Fumé Blanc from Ferrari-Carano – bursting with notes of grapefruit, pineapple, and lemon-lime, its crisp acidity enhances the dish perfectly.

Wine Insight: Fumé Blanc is simply Sauvignon Blanc aged in oak – it adds texture and depth without losing vibrancy.

🦃 The Main Event: Thanksgiving Turkey Wine Pairings

Turkey + Chardonnay

For white wine lovers, Chardonnay is a timeless pairing. Stags' Leap Chardonnay offers a rich, rounded body with flavors of lemon and peach – ideal for roasted turkey and its golden skin.

Selection Guide: Choose an unoaked Chardonnay for herbed or citrus-seasoned turkey, and oaked for buttery, gravy-laden dishes.

Turkey + Pinot Noir

Prefer red? Pinot Noir is the classic choice. Its light body and bright acidity add depth without overpowering the meal. Miner Family Gary's Vineyard Pinot Noir, with silky texture and red berry notes, is a soft, elegant companion to your Thanksgiving bird.

Why It Works: Pinot Noir's subtle tannins and fruit-forward style pair beautifully with turkey and cranberry sauce alike.

🥧 Thanksgiving Dessert Wine Pairings

Pumpkin Pie + Riesling

Pumpkin pie's spiced sweetness pairs beautifully with a semi-sweet Riesling, enhancing the warm cinnamon and nutmeg notes. Try The Caves at Soda Canyon's Waugh Riesling – aromatic, fresh, and perfectly balanced.

Pairing Tip: When pairing wine with dessert, the wine should be slightly sweeter than the dish for perfect balance.

Vanilla Custard + Moscato

If you prefer something lighter, a vanilla custard topped with chocolate shavings or fruit is divine with Moscato. Beringer Vineyards Moscato brings just enough acidity to balance the creamy texture while its gentle sparkle refreshes the palate.

🍷 Experience Thanksgiving Wine Freedom with Coravin

coravin timeless Six hermitage red pouring white wine

Whether you're pouring Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, or Moscato, not every bottle will be finished at your Thanksgiving table. That's where Coravin wine by-the-glass systems come in.

  • Coravin Timeless Six+ System: Pour a glass without removing the cork, leaving the rest of the bottle completely unaffected – even 20+ years later.
  • Coravin Pivot: Keep screwcap or everyday wines fresh for up to 4 weeks.
  • Coravin Sparkling: Preserve bubbles perfectly crisp and lively for at least 4 weeks after opening.

Coravin gives every guest the freedom to enjoy their favorite wine – without compromise or waste.

🦃 Final Pour

Thanksgiving is a celebration of connection, gratitude, and flavor. With thoughtful pairings and Coravin by your side, you can pour any wine, anytime, exploring every combination your feast inspires – one perfect glass at a time.

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