Thanksgiving Top Ten List (Under $35)

Make the holiday meal a little more interesting with these selections.

Thanksgiving is upon us again this year. Aside from the challenges of family dynamics, relatives’ dietary restrictions, cooking for groups, and the headaches of travel, one also has to put up with the anxiety of food shopping and what on earth to pair with the meal.

The traditional American “turkey and fixins” meal is a surprisingly confusing wine pairing for lots of people. This is especially true when one has varied palates to please at the table. The instinct is usually to reach for the same old wines.

Let’s try something different this year…

Finding the balance of flavors is key, and avoiding the same tired cliches of California Chard or Pinot Grigio keeps things fresh.

So in the spirit of stress reduction and the satisfaction of finding a good deal, here are my suggestions:

1. Gerard Boulay Chavignol Sancerre 2020 $34

   A minerally, all-purpose, clean and bright Sauvignon Blanc that will serve as a fantastic palate cleanser for the gravy and sides, without overpowering the turkey. Good for everything from passed apps all the way through dinner.

2. Red Tail Ridge Estate Dry Riesling 2020 $22

   The Finger Lakes AVA produces fantastic aromatic white wines. This is my favorite in the price range. Aromatic, petrol, and mineral. The terpenes and aromatics will make even the driest of turkeys more palatable. NOT SWEET.

3. San Salvatore Palinuro Paestum IGT 2019 $25

   A field blend of the main white grapes of Campania (Fiano, Greco, and Falanghina). Great balance, medium to medium-plus bodied, with a fair amount of complexity. Showing white peach and citrus zest, with a tart pleasingly mineral finish. Will elevate Turkey, while standing up to starchy or heavy sides like mashed potatoes.

4. Prudhon Bourgogne Aligoté 2018 $22

   The “other” white grape of Burgundy. Tastes like an unoaked Chard crossed with a Muscadet. Light to medium bodied. Faint orchard fruit on the front, with a really pleasant mineral driven finish. Won’t upstage anything on the table, and will elevate most Turkey preparations.

5. Storm Point Chenin Blanc 2020 $17

   Like a New Zealand Sauv Blanc with more body. Featuring tart apricot, and citrus blossoms and a delicously faint salinity. This is textbook Chenin Blanc with a ridiculously well balanced finish. This goes down easy!

6. Gruet Blanc de Blancs NV $19

   Sparkling is a fantastic pairing for Thanksgiving dinner. Yes. It is from New Mexico. Missionaries planted the vines over 120 years ago. It is made in the Champagne method. Tastes like a wine 5 times the price. You won’t believe how good it is.

7. Domaine Chantemerle Chablis 2019 $28

   One of the best values in Chablis. Perfect balance, nice stone fruit, and complexity. A great wine for the bird. Checks off the boxes of “Chardonnay” and “fancy” for your more “discerning” (annoying) guests.

8. Au Bon Climat Santa Barbara Pinot Noir 2019 $26

   When opting for a Thanksgiving friendly red, I go for something medium bodied with young fruit, good acidity, and pleasant tannins. The late Jim Clendenen’s swan song is a love letter to a Burgundy, at half the cost. See? I don’t hate all California wine!

9. Domaine Joseph Cattin Pinot Blanc 2020 $16

   For the Pinot Grigio lovers. This selection is a steal. Light to medium-minus bodied. More aromatic and substantial than Pinot Grigio, less acidic or residually sugary than most Riesling, with some honeyed notes and a tart, crisp, quick finish.

10. Movia Rebula Ribolla Gialla 2019 $27

    Orange wine is absolutely tailor made for this meal. It tastes like you left a Sauv Blanc in a smoker overnight, then crossed it with a lager beer. (in the absolute best sense) It will highlight the turkey with its tannin and mineral. The nectarine/peach notes will pair perfectly with the sweet potato, and your “beer only” guests will actually like this. Trust me on this one.

    Traditional Honorable Mentions (the usual go-to’s) :

    • Olivier Leflaive Les “Setilles” Bourgogne Blanc 2019 $25

      White Burgundy is the standard by which all other Thanksgiving pairings are judged

    • Les Jamelles Viognier 2020 $15

      A classic turkey pairing that won’t break the bank.

    • Beaujolais Nouveau Lapierre “Raisins”- 2021 $18

      Cliched, but oh-so-good pairing. Never drink it after New Years.

    • Terlan Pinot Grigio $21

      The best “Pinot-Greeg” for the money in my opinion.