Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and your wine rack still looks suspiciously bare. Don’t panic—you’re not the only one procrastinating. The days leading up to Thanksgiving, especially Wednesday, are a wine retailer’s busiest. Expect crowds, long lines, and shelves picked over by fellow last-minute shoppers. If the idea of elbowing your way through crowds fills you with dread, you might still have time to order online for delivery—if you act fast.

Cheers to beating the rush and surviving the holiday madness!

FIVE WINE (& OTHER) TIPS FOR THANKSGIVING

1. Forget the pairing rules.
Thanksgiving is not the time to overthink wine pairings. With such a wild variety of flavors on the table—from savory stuffing to sweet cranberry sauce—trying to match each dish with the perfect wine will drive you to drink before the turkey’s even carved! Stick to what you and your guests actually like to drink. A mix of reds, whites, rosés, and sparkling wines should keep everyone happy. Add an orange wine (or two!) if you want to get a little more adventurous.

2. Be budget-conscious.
Save your pricier bottles for another occasion unless your gathering is small and filled with wine lovers. Thanksgiving is the land of casual wine drinking—someone is bound to mix that special wine with Sprite or let it sit untouched while they dig into pecan pie. Save your pricy Meursaults for the weekend and enjoy with leftovers.

3. Stock up generously.
Plan for at least one bottle per guest—having too much rather than too little is better. Thanksgiving can be...let’s call it lively, especially when Uncle Joe starts going on about politics. A well-stocked wine supply will help you get through the dinner (and the debates) with a smile. Bonus: leftover wine is perfect for the days that follow. When opened, whites and rosés can be kept in the fridge for up to five days or so, and some reds taste better after being opened for a day or two.

4. Start with bubbly.
Set the right tone by greeting your guests with sparkling wine. For a festive welcome, try the lively Parés Baltà Brut Cava ($20). Its vibrant plum and citrus peel notes and crisp, long-lingering finish will get everyone’s appetite going. But if you’re in the mood for something a little funkier and fun, go for the Foundry Winery Pét-Nat 2023, a lively, no-added-sulfites sparkling wine from Washington State with a fresh, savory zip.

Discover more Pét-Nat wine here

5. Don’t forget non-drinkers.
Make sure to have festive, non-alcoholic options on hand. Sparkling apple cider, non-alcoholic wines, or even a fun mocktail can keep everyone included in the holiday cheer.

Most importantly, choose wines you enjoy to share with people you love (or tolerate!). Here are a few wines that will be on my table.

Cheers and Happy Thanksgiving!

White

American-made is always a good idea for Thanksgiving. A crisp, dry Riesling from New York’s Finger Lakes region is an excellent option, offering vibrant acidity and a touch of minerality that pairs beautifully with turkey, stuffing, and even sweeter sides like candied yams. Two standout picks are the Empire Estate Dry Riesling ($18), with its zesty citrus and green apple notes, and the Ravines Dry Riesling ($23), known for its elegant balance of stone fruit and subtle floral undertones.

Alternatively, look to France and the Pinon Les Trois Argiles Vouvray 2020 ($28), a mineral-driven, juicy Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley. Like dry Riesling, it boasts bright acidity and a lovely balance of fruit and freshness, making it a versatile pairing for everything from savory sides to roasted turkey.

For something crisp and herbaceous, the Cliff Lede Sauvignon Blanc 2023 ($32), a Napa Valley favorite, delivers a full body with bright citrus notes (lemon and grapefruit), making it a perfect match for a hearty meal.

Rosé

Rosé lovers will enjoy the Bedrock Wine Company "Ode to Lulu" Rosé ($22), a Provence-style Sonoma rosé with delicate strawberry and floral hints that pairs beautifully with just about anything on the table. Or look to Austria, always an excellent value for wine lovers. Try the Pratsch Rosé 2023 ($18), an organic wine with juicy red berry flavors and a refreshing acidity to keep your palate happy during the whole meal.

Red

If you want a red that’s tailor-made for Thanksgiving, try Beaujolais. Domaine Mont Bessay En Bessay Juliénas 2022 ($60) is a silky, savory Gamay that’s absolutely perfect with turkey and all the trimmings. For a less pricy option, Domaine de la Madone Beaujolais-Villages Le Perréon 2022 ($18) is delightful, with lots of fresh strawberry and floral notes.

And don’t skip out on Pinot Noir from Burgundy, another fantastic Thanksgiving wine, thinking it would be too expensive. Affordable and delicious reds from Bourgogne can be found! Here are two from a historic producer that would be perfect with the turkey and trimmings: Louis Latour Valmoissine Pinot Noir 2022 ($15.99) and Louis Latour Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2022 ($27.99).

Italian reds are another great option. From Piedmont, G. D. Vajra Dolcetto d'Alba 2022 ($19) has bright cherry and violet notes and just the right amount of structure (but not too much) to stand up to heartier dishes. And from Tuscany, Sangiovese, with its zippy acidity, is always welcome at the Thanksgiving table. One of my favorite, more full-bodied versions is the Poliziano Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2021 ($28), a complex wine made from 50-year-old vines.

Rioja is another classic choice. The Campillo Crianza 2018 ($25), with rich red fruit, soft oak, and spice, pairs beautifully without being overwhelming, with roasted meats, hearty stuffing, and even cranberry sauce.