Best Red Wines for Thanksgiving Dinner

best red wines for thanksgivingThanksgiving may be the biggest meal of the year, with nearly 46 million turkeys consumed every year. According to the Harris Poll, 95% of people surveyed in 2015 said they spent “Turkey Day” with their families. Needless to say, Thanksgiving is a huge deal in the US.

There is nothing like sharing a glass of wine with your family over a special meal, and there is no better family meal than Thanksgiving Dinner. Big savory meals with turkey and gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and pumpkin everything calls for bold red wines that can hold their own and compliment the rest of the meal. 

Best Red Wines for Thanksgiving Dinner

While the “big meal” is fairly straightforward, finding the perfect red wine for your Thanksgiving may prove to be a bit challenging. To help you plan your wine choices, we have put together this quick guide!

1. Beaujolais

An interesting wine made from the Gamay grape, this light-bodied red wine from France is the perfect pairing with a typical Thanksgiving dinner. With high acidity and lower tannins, it is fairly easy to pair with cranberries and turkey. 

Beaujolais Nouveau is released on the third Thursday of November at 12:01 am. Perfect timing for a Thanksgiving wine.

2. Pinot Noir

The classic Pinot noir is tart and tangy with notes of red fruit. This flavor profile is a perfect complement to many old-world rustic dishes such as roasts, turkey, game pie, and more. Pinot Noir is the most versatile red wine and can honestly be paired with practically any protein. 

Some Pinots such as top red Burgundy have a more savory flavor profile making them perfect for pairing with mushrooms, gravies, and heavily herb-seasoned meats.

Pinot Noir is another wine of French origin, yet it can be found around the world in cooler climates. One of the most popular wines out there,  Joel L. Fleishman of Vanity Fair describes them as "the most romantic of wines, with so voluptuous a perfume, so sweet an edge, and so powerful a punch that, like falling in love, they make the blood run hot and the soul wax embarrassingly poetic.”

3. Zinfandel

The final red on our list is the full-bodied Zinfandel. Zinfandels are big wines with jammy flavors and fruity aromas. These wines typically have a higher alcohol content and are both fruity and spicy, with a nice smoky oak flavor. If you want to amplify fall spices such as clove cinnamon and allspice, Zinfandel is the way to go.

Want to learn more about pairings for Thanksgiving Dinner? Our team has your back. Metro Wines offers a large selection of wines with a focus on matching the right wine with the right cuisine or occasion. Our wine experts are available at all times to answer your questions, make wine pairing recommendations, and work with your caterer or event planner.

We also provide weekly tastings, monthly social events, and wine education. On our website, you may find details about upcoming events, weekly tastings, and special events. Or, reach out to us with questions!