I like wine enough to know that every time I’m in a wine store, I’m the idiot. Sure, I have preferences (dry, easy to drink, cheap enough to consider buying two bottles), but they’re not deeply ingrained. I’ll let the person behind the counter (or the bar or the dining room table) take me wherever they think is best. And I’m always better for it.
That being said, this year we’re turning our Thanksgiving wine tips to the pros. Here are seven great Thanksgiving wines, all under $40, all chosen by sommeliers and those in the big-sip business.
Julien Moreno, sommelier and director of the Benoit restaurant
You always want a good bottle of bubbles to start, and I love Cava Recaredo Terrers Brut Nature Gran Réserva. It’s fresh, bright and has a lot of texture. It develops citrus notes that linger while leaving room for decadent nuttiness and a more nutty sherry-like profile. A crowd pleaser without the price of champagne.
Julien Moreno, sommelier and restaurant director at Benoit in New York
My choice would be a white wine that is slightly rich but has enough acidity to lighten the rich dinner ahead. In this case I would suggest a delicious bottle of Laurent Tribut Chablis in a fruity vintage like 2018 or 2019.
Carenn Mackinnon, owner of Williamsburg’s Plus de Vin
For the white, I’m wearing Barbichette Poc a Poc. Louisiane and César are making some truly beautiful and exciting wines in the Finger Lakes. All fruit is grown responsibly and wines are made naturally, without yeast, chemicals or overt manipulation. Poc a Poc is lightly macerated muscat, so it’s aromatic, super fresh, incredibly delicious, and a perfect way to start your Thanksgiving day while snacking in the kitchen.
David Bruno, founder of Départ Wine
Thanksgiving is a wine professional’s Super Bowl. We can introduce new wines to semi-casual drinkers every holiday. This year I think Aunt Becky is ready for some skin-contact wine, which she probably refers to as “orange” wine. Not only do skin contact wines typically have high acidity, but they also have light to medium tannins that retain fat from turkey and sauces.
For entry-level skin contact, I like Bodegas Parra Jiménez’s Gulp Hablo 2023. It’s a fresh blend of Verdejo, Grenache, and Sauvignon Blanc, and it comes in a one-liter bottle that usually costs less than $20 in the store. Take it before, during and after dinner; works with everything.
To level up, I like Les Vins Pirouettes “Orange Cubic Francois” 2023. Alsace is where the Gewurztraminer grape is at its most resplendent, although traditionally super aromatic and floral, François Bléger gives this wine 12 days of silencing skin contact some of the spiciest. characteristics of the grape. Perfect for your fruit sauces and even cakes.
Carenn Mackinnon, owner of Williamsburg’s Plus de Vin
For a lighter red, opt for Burgundy’s Maison en Belles Lies ‘l’entrange’. Obviously, one would think this is all Pinot Noir, however, Pierre also blends Gamay and Chardonnay, creating a juicy, bright red for an iconic Thanksgiving combination (without subjecting yourself to the familiar bottle of cheap Beaujolais Village).
And for something heavier, Hervé Souhaut’s Saint Joseph Syrah. I love their wines. They are tremendously faithful to the variety and have a great sense of ownership, but the winemaking is light in a way that elevates the wine, rather than weighing it down. This should make taxi drinkers happy and won’t overload the food with tannins or alcohol.
What’s your go-to for Thanksgiving wine? Let us know in the comments below!
