Thanksgiving 2020 will be different this year.
Your decisions about which foods to prepare and how much will probably revolve around a much more intimate affair than in the past, when you may have been more focused on pleasing a crowd. Thanksgiving 2020 may offer wine lovers the opportunity to celebrate by opening a special bottle of wine. Alternatively, some of us wine enthusiasts have had negative financial impact from the pandemic and are looking for inexpensive wine options that still allow for festive fare while still being gentle on the pocketbook.
Last but not least, it’s important in all years - not just 2020 - to offer non-alcoholic opetions to guests (especially since so many of us have overindulged in recent months!).
In today’s blog, we recommend a variety of Thanksgiving beverages, from budget wines to splurge wines to non-alcoholic drinks.
Before we continue with our Thanksgiving wine recommendations, though, a little about the KnowWines blog. We are an Amazon.com affiliate and we do receive a small commission if you purchase items through our affiliate links at no cost to you. The commissions we receive help us pay for web hosting fees, products to test, and other costs associated with running this site. Thanks for using our affiliate links and supporting our independent blog!
Should I Bring Wine to Thanksgiving?
If you are attending a Thanksgiving meal hosted by someone other than yourself, check to see if they would like you to bring a wine. Perhaps the host has already foreseen a red or white wine, but is happy to have you pick up a sparkling or sweet wine to complement the meal. This conversation is also a good time to find out what type of Thanksgiving meal will be served. Will the meal be traditional? Vegetarian? Coastal? Or will it celebrate a specific regional cuisine?
Non-alcoholic Beverage Options for Thanksgiving
In addition to bringing a wine, also consider asking the host if there are non-alcoholic drinks (or ingredients for non-alcoholic drinks) that you could provide. It’s always a good idea to have festive options for those who don’t partake in wine, and busy hosts may overlook this detail. Non-alcoholic beverages other than the standard (and very un-festive) soda or juice are refreshing both for non-drinkers and for drinkers alike, as a means of pacing consumption.
Need inspiration on the non-alcoholic drinks front? We like the book “Dry” for inspiring alcohol-free drinks. There’s an awesome Autumn Sangria recipe that is super-easy to make and celebrates the flavors of fall!
What is a Good Sparkling Wine I Can Bring to Thanksgiving?
If you are hosting Thanksgiving or are bringing a sparkling wine to Thanksgiving, sparkling wine does not need to break the bank. Sparkling wines are often high in acid and lower in alcohol, and the fresh flavor is a nice break from what can be an onslaught of heavy, fatty foods. Most sparkling wines are food friendly, so you can drink them throughout the meal, all the way to dessert!
Here are a couple of our favorites:
Made in USA (New Mexico)
One of our favorite inexpensive sparkling wines is Gruet Brut, found in many grocery stores in the United States.
This sparkling wine is made using the Champagne method and is comprised of Champagne grapes including Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
What you might not find in your local grocery store is Savage, which is their zero-dosage Champagne. So if you or your host like dry Champagne, you might like Gruet Savage Sparkling Rose.
Cremant d’Alsace
Alsace sparkling wines (cremant) are another great value when it comes to sparkling wine.
This cremant, by Lucien Albrecht, their Albrecht Cremant d’Alsace Brut, is a classic representative of this style.
This well-balanced sparkling wine has a lovely golden color. It’s elegant bubbles make it a go-to for holidays and special celebrations. It definitely won’t disappoint at Thanksgiving!
What Is a Good Red Wine I Can Bring to Thanksgiving?
Many under $30 red wine blends produced domestically and found in the grocery store are bulk wines with (often, not always) more marketing than substance. While those wines can be good for everyday drinking and for drinking without food, when sitting down to a meal we look to the Old World for food friendly wines at this price point. Additionally, food wines are higher in acidity than the food one is serving it with. Some red wine blends in the grocery store have very little acidity and can taste flat with Thanksgiving food.
We’re partial to wines from the Cotes de Bordeaux and Fronsac - wines that are both great and affordable. These wines are typically blends of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec. Unlike many domestic wines at this price point, these wines are lower in alcohol, lower in residual sugar, and pair nicely with food without overwhelming it with jammy New World fruitiness.
Check with your local wine retailer for budget-friendly wines from the Cotes de Bordeaux or Fronsac. If they don’t have anything in stock, we’ve shared links to a couple of our sub-$30 favorites below:
What Is A Good White Wine I Can Bring to Thanksgiving?
As long as poultry or vegetarian fare is served, almost any white wine is good to bring to Thanksgiving. The only wine we shy away from for this meal is an oaky Chardonnay.
Our favorite white wine to make this list of good Thanksgiving wines is Round Pond’s Sauvignon Blanc. Find it by clicking the image below:
What Sweet Wine Can I Bring to Thanksgiving?
Sweet wines as dessert or with traditional pumpkin pie are a decadent way to end the Thanksgiving meal.
We like Chateau Doisey Daene Sauternes in the 375 mL half bottle, especially for smaller gatherings. Sauternes also keeps well in the refrigerator with a bottle closure for up to one month, so one does not need to consume all the sweet goodness in one sitting.
What Wines Go Well With Turkey?
Many different wines pair well with turkey. Typically you want to pair a wine that - like a background singer - makes the turkey the star. Don’t select a wine so intense that it will cover up the flavors of the turkey. Here are few suggestions for all types of turkey:
Fried Turkey
Frying your turkey? Pair it with sparkling wines and Champagne.
Baked Turkey with Herbs
For a baked turkey stuffed with herbs, go for a Riesling, Albarino, or Sauvignon Blanc.
Tasteless Turkey
You gave it the college try, but your turkey just tastes dull or has little taste. Gewurztraminer and Viogner can add some flavor and cover for the star that fell a little flat.
Wine Pairing with Tofurkey
Since tofurkey tends to run on the salty side, this is the one time where we recommend something more full-bodied like a warm climate California Pinot Noir or Sonoma Zinfandel.
Wine Pairing for a Coastal Thanksgiving with Lobster
During the coronavirus, the lobster industry was hit quite hard. If you want to take a break from Turkey in 2020, this might be a great year to support fishermen and women.
To pair with lobster, try a Chardonnay or sparkling wine. Patz & Hall has some great single vineyard Chardonnays from Sonoma. like this Dutton Ranch Chardonnay.
How Much Wine Should I Plan for Per Person on Thanksgiving?
Here’s the math: a 750 mL bottle will serve six people 125 m glasses, 4 people 175 mL glasses or 3 people 250 mL glasses.
Where Can I Buy Wine on Thanksgiving?
Many wine bottle shops are open Thanksgiving morning, but not all. These independent shop owners may be at home with friends and family preparing their own special dinner. If you wait until the last minute to buy wine on Thanksgiving, chances are you won’t get the wine you want. You might not get the best price on Thanksgiving day, and you may miss out on good wines altogether. So, order ahead!
What If I Have Leftover Wine From Thanksgiving?
Lots of leftover wine with that leftover turkey? No problem!
It’s perfectly fine to freeze leftover wine for future use in cooking. To freeze wine, we like these larger silicone ice cube trays with lids. You can measure ¼ cup aliquots into each cube space and simply pop out the wine cube when cooking! Not only do these ice cube trays stack, they are also BPA free and super easy to clean!
The Thanksgiving Wine Wrap-Up
There’s really no need to stress about what wine to bring to Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving meals have evolved to include a little bit of the old traditions along with new flavors. Thanks to this diversity of dishes in Thanksgiving meals, most wines will pair well with at least one food.
Cheers, and Happy Thanksgiving!