Thanksgiving is a time for great food, family, and laughs, and with each course of the meal paired with the right wine, you can elevate your meal. Cellar Beast Winehouse offers wines to complement all the flavors, textures, and harmony on your Thanksgiving table, from the tastiest appetizers to spiced desserts. Let’s learn what wines will complement turkey dinner along with other traditional Thanksgiving foods and how to choose seasonings that complement each dish. To learn more about a wide range of wine pairings, visit our Wine Guide.
1. Blanc de Noir for Appetizers and the First Toast
Wine: Blanc de Noir
Thanksgiving needs a sparkly start, and Cellar Beast’s Blanc de Noir sparkling wine provides just that. Made from dark-skinned Pinot Noir grapes, the sparkling wine reveals berries and toasted brioche notes that deliver depth and savoriness in every mouthful. It is a versatile wine, ideal for starting your meal, especially with a spread of appetizers.
Why it Works: The Blanc de Noir’s refreshing acidity makes it a good wine for creamy or salty appetizers, like cheese boards or charcuterie. This Pinot Noir-based wine is perfect for herbs, such as rosemary and thyme, which are typically used in seasonal spreads or soft cheeses because they play on the red berry flavors in the wine. But don’t go with spicy appetizers; wine lovers will know that heat destabilizes Blanc de Noir’s delicate structure.
Top Pairings: Honey and rosemary-rich brie, smoked salmon with dill, and cranberry-pecan cheese balls.
2. Chardonnay Reserve with Roasted Turkey and Classic Sides
Wine: Chardonnay Reserve
An earthy and balanced white wine, such as Cellar Beast’s Chardonnay Reserve, is a fantastic match for white meat and dark meat turkey and traditional courses for Thanksgiving meals. This white wine is rich with notes of baked apple, vanilla, and a touch of butter, which gives it a lavish quality that complements the savory, low-sugar taste of the main course.
Why it Works: Chardonnay’s buttery flavor and faint oak notes complement classic herbs such as sage and thyme, commonly found in roasted turkey and stuffing. These herbs flesh out the wine’s earthy tones, and the acidity counteracts creamy foods such as mashed potatoes and green bean casserole. If you want the Chardonnay to remain subtle in flavor, stay away from spicier additions, such as garlic or cumin, that dilute its natural complexity.
Wine Alternative: The Sauvignon Blanc is the perfect white wine to pair with the herbaceous thyme, sage, and parsley commonly found in roasted turkey's white meat and stuffing. Its tang can cut through sides such as mashed potatoes and green bean casserole and add a quick zing between bites. Sauvignon Blanc's lemony acidity can be paired with lighter accompaniments, like roasted vegetables or vinaigrettes on salads.
Top Pairings: Herb-roasted turkey with sage and thyme, creamy mashed potatoes, green bean casserole with a touch of garlic.
3. Midnight Archer for Savory and Hearty Dishes
Wine: Midnight Archer
Thanksgiving's richer, tastier side dishes require a bold bottle of wine like Midnight Archer. Deep, dark berry fruit flavor and spicy, earthy flavors dominate this full-bodied balanced wine on a soft background of tannins. This bold wine's structure and richness make it great for mushroom stuffing, roasted vegetables, and full-flavored gravies.
Why it Works: Midnight Archer’s black cherry and dark berry aromas complement rosemary and sage, bringing fruitiness to the wine and earthiness to savory appetizers. Its spicy undertones work well with mushrooms, as it engages with umami and herbs such as black pepper. The point is to avoid sugary additions such as honey-glazed carrots that could overpower the wine’s tannins and make it too dry.
Top Pairings: Sausage and mushroom stuffing, rosemary roasted root vegetables, turkey herb gravy.
4. Rosé for a Fresh, Fruity Contrast to Lighter Fare
Wine: Rosé
If you want something a bit lighter with a crisp finish, Cellar Beast’s Rosé makes a great mid-meal alternative. Strawberry, raspberry, and citrus flavors lend a youthful spiciness and fruitiness that’s perfect for naturally sweet dishes and complements Thanksgiving’s heavier, meatier offerings.
Why it Works: Rosé’s berry characters are especially suited to cranberry sauce, emphasizing the fruit’s inherent acidity and bringing depth to each sip. The wine can also be enjoyed with roasted root vegetables, particularly when garnished with fresh herbs, such as parsley or tarragon, that don’t overpower the rosé’s nuanced character. Avoid strong seasonings, such as garlic or strong rosemary, which can disguise the rosé’s delicate fruitiness.
Top Pairings: Cinnamon-roasted sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, and light vinaigrette salads.
5. Gewürztraminer for a Sweet Finish with Dessert
Wine: Gewurztraminer
There would be no Thanksgiving dinner without a bit of dessert at the end, and Cellar Beast’s Gewerztraminer makes the perfect pairing. Honey notes and floral, tropical aromas lend the wine some dimension and harmony to Thanksgiving favorites such as pumpkin pie and apple crisp.
Why it Works: The natural sweetness and floral flavor of Gewürztraminer complement the cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove flavors you find in Thanksgiving desserts. Honeyed flavors amplify caramel and nuts in pecan pie, and the wine’s moderate acidity prevents it from being overwhelming over pumpkin pie or apple pie. You should not pair it with very sweet caramel sauces because the extra sweetness overwhelms the wine’s delicate floral and tropical aromas.
Top Pairings: Cinnamon and nutmeg pumpkin pie, pecan pie, and spiced apple crisp.
Final Thoughts: Curating a Memorable Thanksgiving with Cellar Beast Wines
Each excellent choice from Cellar Beast Winehouse brings something different to Thanksgiving’s most-loved flavors, bringing depth, texture, or sweetness to each dish depending on personal preference. You can build a thoughtful and balanced meal by using complementary condiments and flavor profiles (sage, thyme, and rosemary for the heavier wines or softer herbs and fruity accompaniments for the rosé and Blanc de Noir). Cellar Beast Winehouse's excellent wine options will make it memorable if you want to turn this Thanksgiving into an experience of taste and tradition.
This guide incorporates advice from reputable wine and culinary sources, such as the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and Wine Folly, to provide accurate and trustworthy pairing recommendations. Although Cellar Beast wines are highlighted, the pairing guidance is designed to benefit all wine enthusiasts.
Explore Our Collection: Discover Cellar Beast bottles of wine here. For personalized recommendations or to learn more about our offerings, feel free to contact our wine experts.
This guide is crafted by Kim McCullough, co-founder and Level One Sommelier at Cellar Beast Winehouse. With a deep passion for winemaking and over a decade of experience in the wine industry, Kim specializes in pairing wines with various cuisines to elevate dining experiences. Her expertise ensures this guide offers practical, trustworthy insights for wine enthusiasts of all levels.
