Wine that pairs well with Thanksgiving turkey is usually light to medium-bodied, with enough freshness to handle gravy, herbs, and sweet sides. Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, a dry Riesling, and sparkling wine are reliable styles; you do not need one specific bottle. See the Thanksgiving guide and Thanksgiving table, drinks and activities. For guests who are not drinking, see apple cider for a crowd and a non-alcoholic Thanksgiving drink.
Think about the whole plate, not only the turkey
Turkey is lean and mild, but the plate around it often includes stuffing, gravy, sweet potatoes, and cranberry sauce. A very tannic, oaky cabernet can taste harsh next to that sweetness, and a heavy, buttery chardonnay can flatten the herbs. A Pinot Noir or a Beaujolais-style gamay gives red-wine drinkers fruit and a softer texture. A dry or off-dry Riesling, a Chenin Blanc, or a crisp unoaked white gives acidity that cuts through gravy and plays better with cranberry than a flabby white. Sparkling wine, including a non-vintage brut or a crémant, is a flexible option from the first toast through the meal. One good red and one good white, plus bubbly if you want it, is plenty for most tables.
How much to buy, and what if you are not serving turkey
A common starting point is about half a bottle per adult who drinks wine, which is two to three modest glasses, plus a little extra. Chill whites and sparkling wine, and serve light reds slightly cool, not warm. Open bottles as people sit down rather than hours ahead. If the main dish is ham or prime rib, you can still pour the same flexible styles; a slightly richer red is optional with beef, and an off-dry white is especially good with glazed ham. Keep water on the table, and do not push wine on anyone. Related: coffee for a Thanksgiving crowd once dessert is served.
You do not need a formal tasting flight. Open the bottles you already like, as long as they are not extremely heavy or sweet, and put water on the table. If you are unsure at the store, ask for a Pinot Noir and a dry Riesling in a budget you are comfortable with, rather than chasing a famous label. Leftover wine can be recorked and used within a day or two, or saved for cooking gravy and pan sauces later in the weekend. For a mixed group, it is better to have enough of two styles than many half-finished bottles. Sparkling wine that is not fully dry can also work with pumpkin pie, but coffee or cider may be the better pour by dessert.
Frequently asked questions
What red wine goes with turkey?
A light to medium-bodied red such as Pinot Noir or Beaujolais is a reliable choice. Very tannic wines often clash with sweet sides.
What white wine goes with turkey?
A dry or off-dry Riesling, Chenin Blanc, or another crisp white with good acidity is more flexible than a heavy, oaky white.
How much wine should I buy for Thanksgiving?
About half a bottle per adult who drinks wine is a reasonable starting point, plus a little extra, and a non-alcoholic option for everyone else.