Thanksgiving Wines – Ideas for Your Table
I have been wanting to do this for a long time–which is to give a larger list of suggested wines for Thanksgiving. The intent is that you do not need to buy all of the wines on this list (which is probably understood). When I use to give a smaller selection the wines people wanted get were not available or more difficult to find: hence a fuller list can help you have a wider net to find the wines for your Thanksgiving table.
This list has price points across the board so while some categories are a higher price point–my intention additionally is to pick wines at reasonable price price for the larger list. There are a few that might be expensive and adjust your selection accordingly to feels comfortable to you.
I do not just have one wine or style when I am preparing and serving Thanksgiving. I do think that at minimum I need sparkling, a white and a red wine. I do look an expansive diversity of wines. I am not a fan of Beaujolais Nouveau and I know some people must have it. I am, however, a huge fan of Beaujolais Cru wines and I always have it on my table. It also makes me think of every visit to Paris as I always have a Beaujolais Cru wine and it is always served in a tasting menu.
The diversity for my table is that I might not get a full glass but even a small taste which goes a long way. I do share my wines and I am careful to enjoy through the meal. I hope this helps you to hone in on what wines you will serve.
Wine ideas for your Thanksgiving – specific call outs of Cuvées below.
Champagne wines:
- Champagne Waris Hubert Albescent Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut NV
- Champagne Bruno Paillard Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru NV
- Champagne André Jacquart Brut Experience NV
- Champagne Charles Heidseick Blanc de Blancs NV
- Champagne Delamotte Blanc de Blancs Brut NV
- Champagne Billecart-Salmon Blanc de Blancs Brut NV
- Champagne Guy Charlemagne Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut Reserve
- Champagne Larmandier-Bernier Longitude Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Extra Brut NV
- Champagne Pierre Peters Cuvée de Réserve Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru
- Champagne Drappier Blanc de Blancs
- Champagne Lanson Extra Age Blanc de Blancs NV
- Champagne Louis Roederer Blanc de Blancs 2014
Foods Mentioned in Video as Items that I typically prepare:
I generally have prepared all of the Thanksgiving meals and I love to cook everything. My guests are always gracious and they volunteer to bring food and wine. I do make a decent turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and stuffing–and I insist on making each item. I do love this holiday and I love cooking–it gets me away from my computer or technology.
Here is a sampling of what I’ll prepare while I may not make everything in appetizer or first items list. I will always make every item in the second plates
Appetizers
- Crab cakes
- Carrots en Croute
- Crab dip
- Bacon wrapped dates
- Smoked salmon dip
- Baked clams
First plates:
- Lobster bisque
- Butter nut squash soup
- Apple-Pear Salad
Second Plates:
- Roasted turkey
- Mashed potatoes
- Turkey gravy / sherry mushroom gravy
- Cranberry sauce
- Brussel sprouts
- Roasted carrot
- Sweet potatoes
- French bread stuffing
More Wine Suggestions:
Prosecco:
- Villa Sandi Prosecco Il Fresco
- Nino Franco Vigneto della Riva di San Floriano Prosecco
- Nino Franco Primo Franco Prosecco Superiore DOCG
- Corvezzo Prosecco Extra Dry NV
- Val d’Oca Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Extra Dry ’18
- Val D’Oca Rive di San Pietro di Barbozza Prosecco Superiore 2018
- Tenuta Sant’Anna Extra Dry Prosecco
- Zardetto Prosecco Brut
Trentodoc
- Ferrari Perlé
- Altemasi Trentodoc Millesimato 2014
- Revi Dossagio Zero Millesimato Trentodoc
Franciacorta:
- Contadi Castaldi Franciacorta Brut
- Ferghettina Franciacorta Cuvée Brut
Alta Langa:
- Bera Brut Alta Langa DOCG
- Ettore Germano Alta Langa Brut
Cava:
- Cava Grand Ducay Brut Nature NV
- Cava Mestres 1312 Cava Reserva Brut
- Caves Roger Goulart Organic Cava Brut Reserva 2018
Chardonnay:
- Louis Michel Chablis Grand Cru Vaudesir ’18
- Chanson Premier Cru Chablis Montée de Tonnerre ’18
- Isabelle et Denis Pommier Chablis ’18
- Albert Bichot Bourgogne Vieilles Vignes Chardonnay
- Pio Cesare Piodelei Chardonnay Lange DOC 2017
- Donnafugata Chiaranda Contessa Entellina DOC Chardonnay 2017
- Ramey Ritchie Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay ’18
- Smith Madrone Spring Mountain District Chardonnay ’17
- Bouchaine Hyde Vineyard Carneros Chardonnay ’18
- Raeburn Russian River Valley Chardonnay ’20 – Value Price Point (under $20)
- Bailey Family Willamette Valley Chardonnay ’17
- Presqu’ile Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay
Sancerre:
- J. de Villebois Sancerre
- Domaine Franck Millet Sancerre
- Domaine Andre Vatan Sancerre
Vouvray:
- Champalou Vouvray
- Marc Bredif Vouvray
Chenin Blanc:
- Lievland Old Vine Paarl Chenin Blanc ’20
- Badenhorst Secateurs Chenin Blanc
Italian White Wines:
- Terredora di Paolo Fiano di Avellino
- Mastroberardino Radici Fiano di Avellin
- Feudi di San Gregorio Falanghina
- Rocca del Principe Fiano di Avellino
- Argiolas Is Argiolas Vermentino di Sardegna
- Pala Stellato Vermentino
- Toscolo Vernaccia di San Gimignano
- Alois Lageder Terra Alpina Pinot Bianco Vigneti delle Dolomiti
- Tiefenbrunner Alto Adige-Sudtirol Pinot Bianco
- Suavia Monte Carbonare Soave Classico
- Umani Ronchi Terre di Chieti Vellodoro Pecorino
- Livon Collio Manditocai Friulano ’19
Pinot Blanc:
- Trimbach Alsace Pinot Blanc
- Wolfberger Pinot Blanc 2019
- Rebholz Im Sonnenschein Pinot Blanc Grosses Gewachs
- Salwey Estate Baden Pinot Blanc
Riesling:
- Smith-Madrone Spring Mountain District Riesling
- Richard Böcking Mosel Burberg Riesling
- Prager Wachstum Bodenstein Smaragd Riesling
- Monchhof Mosel Slate Riesling Spatlese
- Rebholz Pfalz Dry Riesling
Pinot Noir:
- Youngberg Hill Natasha Block McMinnville Pinot Noir
- Lenné Willamette Valley Yamhill-Carlton Jill’s 115 Pinot Noir
- Gary Farrell Bien Nacido Vyd Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir ’16
- August Kesseler The Daily August Rheingau Pinot Noir
- Schäfer Rheinhessen Pinot Noir
- Yealands Estate Single Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Noir
- Greywacke Marlborough Pinot Noir
- Domaine Carneros Famous Gate Pinot Noir
- Hyde Carneros Pinot Noir
- Bouchaine Estate Carneros Pinot Noir
- Penner-Ash Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2018
Beaujolais:
- Duboeuf Fleurie Domaine des Quatre Vents 2019
- Pavillon de Chavannes Cote de Brouilly Cuvee des Ambassades
- Domaine Michel Tete Julienas Cuvee Tradition 2019
- Domaine Desvignes Morgon Cote du Py 2019
- Duboeuf Julienas Chateau des Capitans 2019
- Domaine Jean-Claude Lapalu Brouilly Cuvee des Fous 2019
- Mommessin Cote de Brouilly 2017
- Alex Foillard Cote de Brouilly 2019
- Chateau de la Chaize Brouilly 2017
Chianti Classico
- Castello di Fonterutoli Vicoreggio 36 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
- Castello di Fonterutoli Chianti Classico Gran Selezione ’17
- Barone Ricasoli Roncicone Chianti Classico Gran Selezione ’16
- Castello di Albola Santa Caterina Chianti Classico Gran Selezione ’15
- Antinori Badia a Passignano Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2017
- Rocca delle Macie Chianti Classico Riserva 2015 Front Label
- Il Molino di Grace Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Il Margone 2015
Brunello di Montalcino
- Il Molino di Grace Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Il Margone 2015
- Marchesato Degli Aleramici Brunello di Montalcino
- Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova 2016 Front Label
- Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino 2013
- Lisini Brunello di Montalcino 2016
- Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2015
- Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino 2016
Zinfandel
- Turley Kirschenmann Lodi Zinfandel
- Quivira Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel ’17
- Ridge Pagani Ranch Zinfandel 2019
- Hartford Russian River Old Vine Zinfandel 2019
- Seghesio Rockpile Zinfandel 2019
- Hendry Block 7 and 22 Zinfandel 2017
- Easton Shenandoah Valley Zinfandel
- Rombauer El Dorado Zinfandel 2018
- A. Rafanelli Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2013
And for those who serve beer or lamb and need a heavy red:
- Smith-Madrone Spring Mountain District Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ’18
- Hawk & Horse Red Hills Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon
- Hall Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
- Leonetti Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
- Northstar Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
- DeLille Four Flags Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
- Col Solare Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
- Château Fombrauge Grand Cru Classé de Saint-Émilion 2019
- Château La Marzelle Grand Cru Classé de Saint-Émilion 2018
- Château Margaux Prieure-Lichine 2016
- Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste Pauillac 2014
- Donnafugata Mille e Una Note
- Donnafugata Sul Vulcano Etna Rosso
- Paitin Barbaresco Serraboella 2017
- Giuseppe Cortese Rabaja Barbaresco 2014
- Marchesi di Gresy Martinenga, Barbaresco
- Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Asili 2017
- Cascina Bruciata Barbaresco 2015
- Pio Cesare Barolo 2017
And lastly if you have room for dessert – how about a dessert wine:
- Donnafugata Passito di Pantalleria Ben Rye
- Chateau Manos Cadillac ’16
- Château Filhot Sauternes ’15
- Castelnau de Suduirat Sauternes ’06
- Le Colture Valdobbiadene DOCG Spumante Superiore di Cartizze
- Champagne Laurent-Perrier Harmony Demi-Sec
- Jean Vesselle Cuvee Friandise Demi-Sec Rosé
- Hidalgo Villapanés Oloroso
I wish you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving ahead! I’d be curious to know what wines you have selected for your table–drop me a line. Thank you!