Between the gargantuan turkey and table full of sides, Thanksgiving dinner already has the potential to break the average cook’s budget. There’s no need to blow more cash than you have on wine—there are plenty of excellent pours that ring in under $20 a bottle.
To find the best picks to pair with a traditional spread, we tapped a handful of experts for their suggestions. These wines will please a variety of palates and complement a range of Thanksgiving courses. Even better, they make for great host gifts, too.
Many of these pros offered similar advice: Choose wines that go with a broad variety of foods, because Thanksgiving dishes inherently span a wide range of flavors.
“I have never seen two Thanksgiving plates that look the same, so get some wines that can do it all,” says Stella Martindale, the wine director at Musket Room. “I also love a good pairing but frequently tell my guests to drink things that excite them. If a wine doesn’t excite you by itself then your Thanksgiving dinner won’t change that.”
Below are affordable wines that are sure to impress for the holiday.
The Simplest Thanksgiving Pairing Strategy: Sparklers
“If I want one wine to rule them all, I choose arguably the most versatile wine style there is—bubbles.” says Wine Enthusiast Writer-at-Large Christina Pickard, who reviews wines from Australia, England, New Zealand and New York.
Bubbles are beloved by a broad swath of wine drinkers. But, more importantly, they tend to deliver a hit of acidity that can help temper a heavy Thanksgiving meal.
Acidic wines like bubbles “effectively enhance salty and umami flavors, cut through richness and refresh the palate, making each bite even more enjoyable,” says Kimberly Cavoores, beverage director for New York City’s Elizabeth Street Hospitality.
Wine Enthusiast recommends:
Casteller Brut Sparkling (Cava)
Offering a persistent column of bubbles and a bouquet of lemon, honeydew melon and rising pizza dough, this wine opens on the palate with bright citrus-fruit flavors. Notes of brioche, vanilla and slivered almond settle in among a pleasing sense of effervescence that goes the distance. Best Buy. 92 Points— Mike DeSimone
Paltrinieri 2023 Piria Lambrusco (Lambrusco di Sorbara)
The nose of this stunning frizzante reveals a distinct interplay between fresh bay leaf, thyme, and crushed cherries, delicately sprinkled with rose petals. On the palate, it offers a mouthwatering mix of freshly chopped raspberries, green herbs, and a hint of white pepper, accompanied by subtle gamy notes. Versatile and delightful, it pairs wonderfully with a range of dishes, from pizza to sushi, promising to please all palates. Best Buy. 94 Points — Jeff Porter
