Holiday Wine Guide: Best Wines for Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year's
Find the perfect wines for holiday meals, parties, and gifting. Includes pairings for turkey, ham, prime rib, and festive desserts.
Holiday Wine Guide: Best Wines for Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year's
Holiday meals demand special wines that pair with rich foods, please diverse palates, and create memorable celebrations. From Thanksgiving turkey to Christmas prime rib and New Year's champagne toasts, choosing the right wine elevates every holiday gathering.
This comprehensive guide covers the best wines for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's Eve, and holiday gifting.
Thanksgiving Wine Guide
Challenge: Pairing wine with diverse dishes (turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, gravy)
Solution: Choose versatile, medium-bodied wines with good acidity
Best Wines for Thanksgiving Turkey
1. Pinot Noir (Top Choice)
Why it's perfect:
- Medium body balances white and dark meat
- Low tannins don't clash with cranberry sauce
- Earthy notes complement mushrooms and herbs
- Serve slightly chilled (55-60°F) for refreshing balance
Recommended bottles:
- Meiomi Pinot Noir (California) – fruit-forward, approachable
- La Crema Pinot Noir (Sonoma) – smooth, balanced
- Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir (Oregon) – elegant, earthy
Food pairings: Turkey, stuffing, gravy, mushrooms, roasted vegetables
2. Beaujolais (Gamay)
Why it's perfect:
- Light, fruity, low tannins
- Serve chilled for refreshing contrast
- Affordable, crowd-pleasing
- Pairs with everything on Thanksgiving table
Recommended bottles:
- Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais-Villages – classic, fruity
- Louis Jadot Beaujolais – fresh, easy-drinking
Food pairings: Turkey, ham, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce
3. Chardonnay (Lightly Oaked)
Why it's perfect:
- Full body matches rich turkey and gravy
- Buttery notes complement mashed potatoes
- Crisp acidity balances richness
- Crowd-pleaser for white wine lovers
Recommended bottles:
- Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay (Russian River) – balanced oak
- Cakebread Chardonnay (Napa) – elegant, creamy
- Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay – affordable, reliable
Food pairings: Turkey, mashed potatoes, creamy casseroles, gravy
4. Riesling (Off-Dry)
Why it's perfect:
- Slight sweetness balances cranberry sauce
- High acidity cuts through rich foods
- Pairs with sweet potatoes and yams
- Refreshing contrast to heavy meal
Recommended bottles:
- Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling (Washington) – off-dry, approachable
- Dr. Loosen Riesling (Germany) – balanced, fruity
- Trimbach Riesling (Alsace) – dry, elegant
Food pairings: Sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, glazed ham, spicy dishes
5. Sparkling Wine (Prosecco, Cava, Champagne)
Why it's perfect:
- Bubbles cleanse palate between diverse dishes
- High acidity balances rich foods
- Festive, celebratory
- Pairs with everything
Recommended bottles:
- La Marca Prosecco – affordable, fruity
- Segura Viudas Cava – elegant, budget-friendly
- Veuve Clicquot Champagne – luxurious, classic
Food pairings: Appetizers, turkey, roasted vegetables, desserts
Thanksgiving Wine Shopping List (for 10-12 guests)
Budget-friendly ($100-150 total):
- 2 bottles Pinot Noir
- 2 bottles Chardonnay
- 1 bottle Riesling
- 1 bottle Prosecco
Mid-range ($250-350 total):
- 3 bottles Pinot Noir (mix Oregon and California)
- 2 bottles Chardonnay
- 1 bottle Cava
- 1 bottle Champagne
Splurge ($500+ total):
- 3 bottles premium Pinot Noir (Burgundy, Oregon)
- 2 bottles White Burgundy
- 2 bottles Champagne
Christmas Wine Guide
Challenge: Rich, fatty meats (prime rib, ham, lamb) and heavy sides
Solution: Full-bodied reds for beef, medium whites or light reds for ham
Best Wines for Christmas Prime Rib
1. Cabernet Sauvignon
Why it's perfect:
- Full-bodied, tannic wine for rich, fatty beef
- Tannins cut through fat
- Bold flavors match intense meat
- Classic steakhouse pairing
Recommended bottles:
- Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa or Alexander Valley)
- Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma)
- Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa) – rich, bold
Food pairings: Prime rib, ribeye, beef tenderloin, aged cheese
2. Bordeaux Blend
Why it's perfect:
- Elegant, structured red for special occasion
- Cabernet-Merlot blend adds complexity
- Age-worthy (open older vintages for Christmas)
Recommended bottles:
- Château Lynch-Bages (Bordeaux) – classic, powerful
- Opus One (Napa) – luxury blend
- Decoy by Duckhorn – affordable alternative
Food pairings: Prime rib, lamb, beef wellington
3. Barolo or Barbaresco (Nebbiolo)
Why it's perfect:
- Elegant, age-worthy Italian red
- High tannins pair with fatty beef
- Rose, tar, and cherry aromas add sophistication
Recommended bottles:
- Vietti Barolo (Piedmont)
- Produttori del Barbaresco (Piedmont)
Food pairings: Prime rib, braised beef, truffle risotto
Best Wines for Christmas Ham
1. Riesling (Off-Dry)
Why it's perfect:
- Sweetness balances salty, glazed ham
- High acidity cuts through fat
- Pairs with honey or brown sugar glaze
Recommended bottles:
- Dr. Loosen Riesling (Germany)
- Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling (Washington)
Food pairings: Glazed ham, sweet potatoes, fruit-based sides
2. Rosé Champagne
Why it's perfect:
- Elegant, festive pairing for ham
- Bubbles refresh palate
- Pink color adds holiday cheer
Recommended bottles:
- Veuve Clicquot Rosé (Champagne)
- Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé (Champagne)
- Segura Viudas Brut Rosé (Cava) – affordable
Food pairings: Ham, turkey, appetizers, seafood
3. Pinot Noir
Why it's perfect:
- Light red wine for pork
- Low tannins don't clash with sweet glaze
- Versatile, food-friendly
Recommended bottles:
- Meiomi Pinot Noir (California)
- Willamette Valley Vineyards (Oregon)
Food pairings: Ham, turkey, roasted chicken, salmon
Hanukkah Wine Guide
Traditional dishes: Brisket, latkes (potato pancakes), sufganiyot (jelly donuts)
Best Wines for Brisket
1. Syrah/Shiraz
- Bold, peppery red for slow-cooked beef
- Recommended: Penfolds Shiraz (Australia), Côtes du Rhône
2. Zinfandel
- Jammy, spicy red for rich brisket
- Recommended: Ridge Zinfandel (California)
3. Cabernet Sauvignon
- Full-bodied, tannic for fatty brisket
- Recommended: Any Napa or Bordeaux Cabernet
Best Wines for Latkes
1. Sparkling Wine (Champagne, Prosecco)
- Bubbles cut through fried, oily latkes
- High acidity refreshes palate
2. Riesling (Off-Dry)
- Pairs with sour cream or applesauce toppings
New Year's Eve Wine Guide
Challenge: Champagne for toasts, pairing with varied party foods
Solution: Stock up on sparkling wines, crowd-pleasers
Best Champagnes and Sparkling Wines for New Year's
1. Champagne (Luxury)
Recommended bottles:
- Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label ($50-60) – balanced, classic
- Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial ($45-55) – celebratory, approachable
- Dom Pérignon ($200+) – ultimate luxury
- Bollinger Special Cuvée ($70-80) – rich, complex
2. Cava (Budget-Friendly)
Recommended bottles:
- Segura Viudas Brut Reserva ($10-15) – traditional method, excellent value
- Freixenet Cordon Negro ($10-12) – iconic black bottle
3. Prosecco (Easy-Drinking)
Recommended bottles:
- La Marca Prosecco ($12-15) – fruity, crowd-pleasing
- Mionetto Prosecco ($10-12) – affordable, reliable
New Year's Eve Cocktails
1. Champagne Cocktail
- 1 sugar cube
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Top with Champagne
- Lemon twist
2. Kir Royale
- 1/2 oz crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur)
- Top with Champagne
3. French 75
- 1 oz gin
- 1/2 oz lemon juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- Top with Champagne
Holiday Wine Gifting Guide
Best Wines to Gift (Under $30)
1. Châteauneuf-du-Pape ($25-30)
- French Rhône blend, impressive label
- Recommended: E. Guigal Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2. Bordeaux ($20-30)
- Classic French wine, elegant
- Recommended: Château Greysac, Château de Pez
3. Napa Cabernet ($25-35)
- Premium American wine
- Recommended: Decoy by Duckhorn, Frog's Leap
Best Wines to Gift (Under $50)
1. Champagne ($40-60)
- Celebratory, luxurious
- Recommended: Veuve Clicquot, Moët & Chandon
2. Barolo ($35-50)
- Italian "King of Wines"
- Recommended: Vietti, Borgogno
3. Oregon Pinot Noir ($30-50)
- Elegant, food-friendly
- Recommended: Willamette Valley Vineyards, Domaine Serene
Luxury Wine Gifts ($100+)
1. Dom Pérignon ($200-250)
- Iconic Champagne, ultimate celebration
2. Opus One ($300-400)
- Napa's most famous Bordeaux blend
3. Vintage Port ($50-150)
- Fortified dessert wine, ages decades
- Recommended: Taylor Fladgate, Graham's
Holiday Party Wine Planning
How Much Wine to Buy?
General rule:
- 1 bottle per person for 3-4 hour party
- 1 bottle per 2 people for dinner party
Example (20 guests, 4-hour party):
- 12 bottles white wine (60%)
- 8 bottles red wine (40%)
Adjust ratios:
- Thanksgiving: 50% white, 50% red
- Christmas prime rib: 30% white, 70% red
- New Year's: 80% sparkling, 20% red/white
Wine Serving Tips for Holidays
1. Serve at proper temperature:
- Champagne/sparkling: 40-45°F
- White wine: 45-50°F
- Red wine: 60-65°F (lighter reds can be chilled to 55°F)
2. Decant full-bodied reds:
- Cabernet, Barolo, Bordeaux benefit from 30-60 min breathing
3. Have backups:
- Always buy 10-20% more than you think you need
4. Offer variety:
- At least one white, one red, one sparkling
Holiday Wine and Food Pairing Quick Reference
| Holiday Dish | Best Wine Pairing | |------------------|-----------------------| | Turkey | Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, Chardonnay | | Prime Rib | Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux, Barolo | | Ham (glazed) | Riesling (off-dry), Rosé Champagne | | Lamb | Syrah, Bordeaux, Rioja | | Brisket | Syrah, Zinfandel, Cabernet | | Stuffing | Pinot Noir, Beaujolais | | Cranberry Sauce | Riesling, Beaujolais (fruit balances tart) | | Sweet Potatoes | Riesling, Gewürztraminer | | Mashed Potatoes/Gravy | Chardonnay, Merlot | | Pumpkin Pie | Port, Moscato d'Asti, late-harvest Riesling | | Pecan Pie | Tawny Port, Sauternes |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What wine goes with Thanksgiving turkey? A: Pinot Noir (top choice), Beaujolais, or Chardonnay. These versatile wines pair with turkey and diverse sides.
Q: Can I serve Cabernet with Thanksgiving turkey? A: Not ideal. Cabernet's high tannins can clash with cranberry sauce and overpower turkey. Save it for Christmas prime rib.
Q: What's the best affordable Champagne for New Year's? A: Cava (Spanish sparkling) offers excellent value. Segura Viudas and Freixenet are $10-15 and traditional method.
Q: How many bottles of wine for 20 Thanksgiving guests? A: Plan 1 bottle per 2 people = 10 bottles minimum. Buy 12-15 to be safe (mix of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, sparkling).
Q: What wine pairs with both ham and turkey? A: Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, or sparkling wine. All three are versatile enough for both meats.
Q: Should I bring red or white wine to a holiday party? A: Bring one of each, or ask the host about the menu. When in doubt, bring Champagne or Pinot Noir (both versatile).
The Bottom Line
Holiday wine selection is about versatility, crowd-pleasing, and festivity. Pinot Noir and Beaujolais shine at Thanksgiving, Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux excel with Christmas prime rib, and Champagne makes every celebration special.
Plan ahead, buy backups, and choose wines that pair with multiple dishes!