Five White Wines for Your Thanksgiving Table
For years I was on Team Red Wine on Thanksgiving. Gamay, Pinot Noir, Frappato, Dolcetto… Name a light, fruity red wine and I’ve poured it next to turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and the rest of the nap-inducing gang. Then, last year as I was selecting wines for the big day, I snapped out of my dutiful red wine routine and realized that, actually, I’d really prefer white.
White wine on Thanksgiving isn’t innovative or unusual, but it’s not very popular either. Why is that? When I really think about Thanksgiving foods, white wine seems to make more sense. Consider this: what would you drink on any other day if the menu consisted of a light protein and mostly vegetables? White wine, right? (Yes, I understand the light red wine and cranberry sauce correlation, but should we base our wine selection on a condiment? That’s a conversation for another day.)
It’s official: I’ve switched teams. This Thanksgiving, and I hope every Thanksgiving henceforth, I’ll be pouring white wine at the table. Below you’ll find my top picks for this year’s celebration. Each of these wines bring a refreshing brightness that will lighten your turkey feast. (And my recommended bottles are all under $20!)
Five White Wines for Thanksgiving
Soave from Veneto, Italy
Like many European wines, this wine is named after a place, not a grape. Soave is a village outside of Verona in the Veneto region of northeastern Italy. There the primary white wine grape is called Garganega. Wines of Garganega tend to be dry, smooth, and very flavorful, expressing notes of melon, orange, peach, salt, and beeswax. Look for bottles labeled “classico” for wines from the volcanic hills at the historic center of the region.
Try: Suavia Soave Classico, $16 on wine.com
White Bordeaux blend from Bordeaux, France
In my opinion, white Bordeaux (Bordeaux Blanc) is one of the most underrated wines. Made of primarily Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle, these wines have bold flavors of citrus, grass, flowers, and fresh herbs. Their grapefruit note is especially notable. Given their underdog status, you can often find good quality white Bordeaux for a fraction of the cost of similar quality red Bordeaux.
Try: Clos des Lunes Lune d’Argent Bordeaux Blanc, $20 on wine.com
Chenin Blanc from Swartland, South Africa
While I believe that any Chenin Blanc would work with turkey and stuffing, South African Chenin is my top choice for Thanksgiving because it tends to be richer and more robust than examples from the Loire Valley, Chenin’s native land. Like white Bordeaux and Soave, Chenin can exhibit heft and texture on the palate, making it perfect for a hearty meal. With South African versions you’ll get notes of pear, melon, and clementine.
Try: Tania et Vincent Careme Terre Brûlée Chenin Blanc, $18 on wine.com
Riesling from Eden Valley, Australia
If you prefer dry Riesling, it’s time to try Australian. These are typically dry and full of citrusy, savory notes of lime, white flowers, and petrol. The two regions to look for are Eden Valley in Barossa and Clare Valley in Mount Lofty Ranges. I enjoy both, but my preferred is Eden Valley for its elegance and acidity. For Thanksgiving, you could buy a bottle of each and compare them! With friends and family to help, two bottles of Riesling will disappear quickly.
Try: Pewsey Vale Riesling, $20 on wine.com
Gentil blend from Alsace, France
According to appellation rules, Gentil is a blend of at least 50% of Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Gris and/or Gewurztraminer, and the remainder can be Sylvaner, Chasselas and/or Pinot Blanc. Given the blending range, these can have various flavor profiles. No matter the proportions, one thing is sure: a Gentil wine will be crisp and aromatic with floral and citrus notes. It will cut through all of the Thanksgiving flavors and refresh your palate with every sip.
Try: Meyer-Fonné Gentil d’Alsace, $19 on wine.com
