Wine Pairings from Morning Mimosas to Midnight Leftovers.

Thanksgiving isn’t just about gathering around a table for a big dinner—it’s a day full of moments, from the morning preparations to the late-night desserts and those highly anticipated leftovers. As traditions evolve, the trend of pairing wines that enhance both classic and modern dishes continues to grow. Here’s an updated look at the best wine pairings from morning through midnight—and well into the days of leftovers.

Morning Preparations

Thanksgiving morning buzzes with the aromas of roasting and simmering, and there’s nothing like a glass of sparkling wine to add a celebratory touch. This year, mimosas get a refresh by pairing them with non-traditional juices like blood orange or pear. A quality Prosecco or Cava keeps these cocktails crisp and lively, balancing the richness of pre-dinner snacks and light breakfast pastries.

For a more classic sparkling option, consider a Brut Rosé. Its subtle berry flavors add depth to lighter foods like smoked salmon and goat cheese on toast. For an elevated twist, the Iron Horse Wedding Cuvée (a Napa favorite) offers a vibrant start with rich strawberry notes that will carry you through the morning as the main dishes prepare.

Here’s to Thanksgiving: where the glasses are as full as our hearts, the wines as varied as our favorite dishes, and the memories as rich as a perfect vintage. May each sip bring gratitude, laughter, and the joy of being together. Cheers to family, friends, and a feast worth savoring—sláinte!

Gregory Dean, SOMM&SOMM

The Main Event

The Thanksgiving meal is a balancing act of savory, sweet, and sometimes bold flavors. This year, an emphasis on versatile wines is trending, along with the rise of lesser-known varieties that surprise and delight.

Appetizers and Starters

For appetizers, go with an off-dry Riesling or a Sauvignon Blanc to complement lighter bites and acidic dressings. Eroica Riesling or Grgich Hills Estate Sauvignon Blanc offers fresh acidity and mineral notes that won’t overwhelm the palate before the main meal. Riesling’s slight sweetness matches well with salty starters like mixed nuts, cheese plates, or charcuterie, while Sauvignon Blanc’s zest cuts through heavier, creamier dips.

Turkey and Sides

Turkey is a natural canvas for wine, but the variety of sides can complicate things. For a red, the Pinot Noir is the reigning star, especially if it’s from Oregon or Burgundy. These wines bring a perfect combination of red fruit and earthiness that complements both dark and white meat. The acidity of Pinot Noir also brightens up rich sides like stuffing, mushroom gravy, and roasted Brussels sprouts.

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If you’re in the mood for white, Chardonnay offers flexibility, but consider choosing a less oaked variety, like those from Chablis, or a Napa classic like Chateau Montelena Chardonnay, known for its minerality. These wines bring out the buttery notes in mashed potatoes while providing a lively contrast to tart cranberry sauce.

The New Favorites: Red Blends

Many guests have a favorite red blend they reach for during holidays, and the Trinchero Napa Red Blend is a standout. It’s fruit-forward with just enough tannic structure to handle heavier dishes. The rise in popularity of red blends showcases a preference for wines that blend approachable flavors with enough complexity to match a wide variety of dishes.

Sweet Endings Paired Perfectly

For dessert, late-harvest wines bring out the best in pumpkin and pecan pies. The Far Niente Dolce Late Harvest from Napa, with its lush notes of apricot and honey, pairs beautifully with spiced pumpkin pie, while the nutty undertones of pecan pie harmonize with a tawny port or Pedro Ximénez sherry.

An increasingly popular dessert option is a cheese course with dark chocolate, paired with a rich Port or Demi-Sec sparkling wine. The Demi-Sec is particularly versatile, adding a touch of sweetness without overpowering the dessert course.

Leftovers and The Day After

Thanksgiving leftovers have earned a special place in the holiday, and wine pairings here can turn even the most casual meal into a refined experience. Turkey sandwiches with cranberry sauce are delightful with a chilled Beaujolais-Villages or a lighter Gamay. If you’re making turkey soup or a casserole, opt for an unoaked Chardonnay or a crisp Sancerre—the acidity will cut through creamy textures without overwhelming subtle flavors.

For those who love to continue the celebration, sparkling wine is the perfect reset, bringing freshness to rich dishes and reminding everyone that Thanksgiving is more than just one meal.

This day, this moment, is a gift—let’s make the most of it, together. Happy Thanksgiving!

Greg and Tammy Dean, SOMM&SOMM

A special message to our friends and family

As the last sips of wine are savored and the final remnants of Thanksgiving leftovers are enjoyed, remember that this day is about far more than the food on our plates or the wines in our glasses. It’s about the moments that fill our hearts—those imperfect, fleeting, sometimes challenging moments that we share with the people we call family. Life, in all its unpredictability, doesn’t come with guarantees. Grievances and misunderstandings pale in comparison to the warmth of laughter around the table, the shared stories, and the joy of simply being together. So, this Thanksgiving, let’s set aside the weight of past disagreements and come together with open hearts. Cherish the people around you, for the memories you create today are the ones you’ll hold dear long after the wine glasses are emptied and the dishes are put away. This day, this moment, is a gift—let’s make the most of it, together. Happy Thanksgiving 🍷

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