Too often we forget that Thanksgiving isn't just a holiday devoted to turkey, gravy, stuffing, and football. No, it's about wine, too—and far too often our wine selection is rooted in quantity more so than it is quality.
But guess what? You can have great, affordable wine and drink it, too! Just stock up on the best affordable wines for Thanksgiving, which we've listed right here. And for more reasons why you should invest in great vino, don't miss these 80 Amazing Health Benefits of Wine.
1 | Velenosi Rosso Piceno Superior Roggio del Filare 2009
wine.com$30; buy now at wine.com
A blend of Montepulciano and Sangiovese grapes, this high tannic wine holds up ideally to the gooey marshmallow on those sweet potatoes—which, coincidentally, also happen to be one of the 10 Healthiest Carbs.
2 | Ornellaia Le Volte 2015
wine.com$28; buy now at wine.com
A true crowd-pleaser with a prestigious name, this smooth red features notes of berry, coffee, and spice, and earns high marks from critic James Suckling and will offer a nice balance to a hearty stuffing.
3 | Scott family Estate Arroyo Seco Pinot Noir 2014
wine.com$23; buy now at wine.com
Cranberry and raspberry—plus some lovely sandalwood—make this lush Pinot the perfect complement to the full Thanksgiving fare. And if you feel like you're overdoing it, don't sweat: Here's the secret to avoiding winter weight gain.
4 | Four Vines Old Vine Zinfandel 2014
wine.com$12; buy now at wine.com
Big berry, spice, and pepper—all typical of California Zin from Lodi—are clear and present on the palate with this great wine, whose full body and satisfying nose will keep you going back after after each succulent bite of gravy-laden Turkey meat. And for more great wine coverage, don't miss the 7 Creative Uses of Wine You Didn't Know About.
5 | Borgo Scopeta Chianti Classico 2014
wine.com$15; buy now at wine.com
From cocoa, wood, and musty undertones to its rich black and cherry fruit flavors, this polished Sangiovese features a delightful savory finish ideal to carry you from Turkey right through to Pumpkin pie.
6 | Villadoria Barbaresco 2012
wine.com$24; buy now at wine.com
Red fruit jam with vanilla and nutmeg notes give this softer Nebbiolo-based Barbaresco a generous mouth feel and body while pairing perfectly with turkey and roasted vegetables.
7 | Foley Johnson Estate Rutherford Meritage 2011
wine.com$28; buy now at wine.com
This Bordeaux Blend from Napa featuring Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot is a layered explosion of red berries and dark berries—making it ideal to carry from Turkey right into rich pecan pie.
8 | Lagarde Malbec DOC 2014
vivino.com$25; buy now at vivino.com
Rich and intense, this layered traditional Malbec is one you bring out for the sausage-laden stuffing and to help offset the tryptophan lull from the Turkey.
9 | Josephy Drouhin Hospices de Belleville Morgon 2015
wine.com$18; buy now at wine.com
Dark fruit flavors with earthy undercurrents in this Gamay—a popular Thanksgiving varietal—make this a beautifully complex and crisp compliment to the main Turkey event.
10 | Argyle Pinot Noir 2015
wine.com$23; buy now at wine.com
Lovely black fruits, blackberry, and black cherry blend cleanly into this Willamette Valley's spicy but easy drinking Pinot, which pairs perfectly with mushroom gravy and Turkey.
11 | II Chardonnay 2014
artisanwinedepot.com$23; buy now at artisanwinedepot.com
Strong flavors of lemon, grapefruit, and white peach, with a crisp level of minerality, keeps this lovely chardonnay crisp right through the starters of the big meal.
12 | Close du Val Carneros Estate Chardonnay
wine.com$22; buy now at wine.com
Fresh apple on the nose with a rich, full body, means this wine pairs well with starters of smoked salmon or flavorful smoked fish.
13 | Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay 2016
wine.com$10; buy now at wine.com
Food-friendly with both crisp fruit and oak at its forefront, this is a chardonnay crowd-pleaser bound to impress those who favor the lemon and ginger flavored dishes.
14 | Chateau de Beauregard Pouilly-Fuisse 2014
empirewine.com$28; buy now at empirewine.com
Full body and richly textured, this Chardonnay from Burgundy features melon and lemon on the palate—making it a great pairing with those beloved creamed onions.
15 | Ransom Albariño 2015
wine.com$23; buy now at wine.com
The bold acidity typical of Spain's Albariño grape gets a stronger touch of minerality and lime from its location in Oregon's Eolo Hills, making it perfect for any appetizers prior to the big meal.
16 | Emmolo Sauvignon Blanc 2015
wine.com$20; buy now at wine.com
The wet stone, pear, and citrus in this wine hit the nose with refreshing and bright acidity, which means it pairs nicely with candied vegetables and squash.
17 | Gruet Blanc de Blancs N.V.
wine.com$20; buy now at wine.com
This American-made sparkler is vibrant with a bubbles, green apple, and honeysuckle flavors, and comes with a surprisingly smooth finish. Consider it as a great pairing for any soup or raw fish starter.
18 | Schramsberg Blanc de Noirs 2014
wine.com$30; buy now at wine.com
With pear, peach, and a hint of caramel on the nose—followed by a zesty orange, vanilla and lemon on the palate—this blend of 85% Pinot Noir, 15% Chardonnay sparkler is an ideal starter guaranteed to wow all on its own.
19 | Champagne Jacquart Brut Mosaique
wine.com$30; buy now at wine.com
Thanks to flavors of candied ginger honey and baked bread, this non-vintage sparkler does just the trick at priming the palate for the big feast.
20 | Lucien Albrecht Cremant d'Alsace Brut Rose
wine.com$19; buy now at wine.com
Cremant from Alsace is popular for good reason. The grapes are hand-picked and the process is slow and deliberate, ensuring a lovely salmon color. Strong strawberry and rhubarb flavors of Albrecht's blend make it ideal for pairing adding some tartness during sweet dessert like Pecan Pie.
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