Thanksgiving is all about sharing tasty food, good company, and of course, great wine! Whether you're hosting or bringing a bottle to contribute, the right wine can elevate the entire meal, balancing the rich flavors of turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. From crisp whites to smooth reds and everything in between, here’s a list of the 10 best wines to bring to your Thanksgiving table — each one carefully selected to complement the season's most traditional dishes and spark lively conversation. Cheers to making this holiday a little more delicious with the perfect pour!

#1 – Champagne Mandois Brut Origine, France

Start the celebration off with bubbles! This Champagne is a crisp, dry Chardonnay/Pinot Noir/Pinot Meunier blend with citrus and chestnut honey flavors, ideal for pairing with appetizers like cheese boards, specifically with Comté cheese or deviled eggs. The clay, chalk, limestone, and flint soil from the prestigious Clos Mandois vineyard lends to the minerality that most wine aficionados enjoy. Bottle price: $50

#2 - Englar Baltasius Pinot Noir Riserva 2020, Italy

The Alto Adige wine-growing region, located in the northeastern corner of Italy, is set against the backdrop of the towering Dolomites. Wines best grown in this microclimate of warm days and cool nights include Pinot Grigio, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. The region’s combination of alpine altitude, well-draining soils, and a mix of Italian and Germanic influences results in wines that are fresh, aromatic, and wonderfully expressive of the terroir. Alto Adige is celebrated for its crisp whites, but its reds, particularly Pinot Noir (referred to as Blauburgunder in German), are gaining increasing recognition for their elegance and complexity.

The Englar Baltasius Pinot Noir Riserva 2020 is a stunning expression of elegance and complexity. On the nose, it offers a captivating bouquet of red berries and tart cherry, with hints of rose petals, cinnamon, and delicate oak spice. As it evolves, the fragrance reveals an earthy touch of forest floor, adding depth. Its taste begins with silky tannins, displaying flavors of blackberries, red plum, and subtle nuances of black tea and vanilla. There’s an intriguing savory undercurrent of mushroom and wet stone that adds complexity, while the finish is long and satisfying, with a lingering mix of fruit and spice. Enjoy alone or with roast turkey, herb stuffing, and roasted vegetables. Bottle price: ~$50

#3 – Château Mukhrani Collection Secrète 2019, Country of Georgia

The Château Mukhrani Collection Secrète 2019 is a captivating wine that takes you on a journey straight to the heart of Georgia, one of the oldest wine regions in the world. This wine offers an intriguing blend of local Georgian varieties, with a deep and rich character that’s both bold and approachable. On the nose, you’re greeted with an aromatic mix of dark berries, spices, and a subtle hint of smoke, evoking the mysterious allure of the ancient vineyards that produced it. The complexity of this wine is undeniable, with layers of black cherry, plum, and a touch of herbal earthiness in each sip. Its smooth tannins create a velvety texture, while the dark fruit flavors linger on the palate, enhanced by an elegant touch of oak. This wine feels both modern and timeless, offering a wonderful introduction to the ancient winemaking traditions of Georgia. Whether you’re pairing it with a hearty Thanksgiving alternative to turkey -- like roast lamb, or enjoying it on its own, this wine is sure to spark conversation and admiration at any dinner table. Bottle price: ~$30

#4 – Lèon Beyer 2022 Pinot Blanc, Alsace, France

Hailing from the heart of Alsace, this Pinot Blanc has a crisp minerality and citrus notes, making it a wonderful companion to a turkey dinner. Fermented and aged in large wooden casks, it carries a delicate hint of spice that adds depth to its clean, refreshing profile. With a price tag of $25.99, it offers exceptional value for those looking to bring something unique to the table without breaking the bank.

On the palate, this wine is beautifully well-rounded with just the right balance of acidity and flavor, finishing with impressive length. The Lèon Beyer 2022 Pinot Blanc brings both elegance and delicacy, making it a standout choice for any occasion, leaving your guests impressed with both its finesse and versatility.

#5 - Georges Duboeuf 2024 Beaujolais Nouveau, France

On the third Thursday of November each year, the first wine of the year’s vintage is tasted without aging. Georges Duboeuf’s exceptional Beaujolais Nouveau this year proved exceptional, thanks to stressed vines that brought more complexity and character to these gamay grapes. Beaujolais Nouveau 2024 is a light and fruity red and a festive favorite, offering bright berry flavors that work well with everything from turkey to sweet potatoes. Its low tannin structure and fresh acidity make it an easy-drinking crowd-pleaser. Truly, it never gets old, and that is this year’s ad slogan. And this year’s vintage is luscious, silky, and an indication of excellence. You’ll find a bottle in almost every wine shop, priced around $14.

#6 - Château Malartic-Lagravière Blanc 2019, Grand Cru Classé, Bordeaux, France

This white Bordeaux truly checks all the boxes for any wine enthusiast, who, like me, adores the blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon grapes. This elegant combination strikes the perfect balance, bringing together the zesty character of Sauvignon Blanc with the lush, round texture of Sémillon. Hailing from the renowned Pessac-Léognan appellation, this Grand Cru Classé wine is a product of over 25 years of stewardship by the Bonnie family, whose commitment to quality and eco-conscious viticulture ensures that each bottle reflects the rich heritage and sustainable practices of this prestigious estate.

On the nose, the Château Malartic-Lagravière Blanc offers an enticing mix of citrus, white flowers, and a touch of herbaceousness, setting the stage for a refreshing yet full-bodied experience. The minerality from the gravelly soils of Pessac-Léognan shines through, giving the wine an added layer of complexity. On the palate, it's a beautiful marriage of crisp acidity and creamy texture, with flavors of lemon zest, grapefruit, and a subtle honeyed note from the Sémillon. There's an underlying floral freshness as well.

This full-bodied white wine’s age-worthy quality means it’s just as enjoyable now as it will be in the years to come. It’s an impressive bottle to gift your Thanksgiving host, who may save it for later or serve it with Thanksgiving dinner. Bottle price: $95

#7 – M. Chapoutier 2022 Belleruche Côtes-du-Rhône, France

Shortly after I reviewed this wine, I noticed it on the wines-by-the-glass menu at 1928 Beacon Hill, an exceptional restaurant off Charles Street in Boston, and I could wholeheartedly recommend it to my dining companion.

Belleruche, which translates to "beautiful beehive" in French, captures the essence of M. Chapoutier's sustainable vineyards, where bees thrive in harmony with the vines. The bouquet of this wine is a celebration of blackcurrant and raspberry with a dash of white pepper – a tantalizing aromatic complexity. On the palate, it is juicy, powerful, and full of fruity charm, with silky, delicate tannins. If you’re a family who likes to add lasagna on the Thanksgiving menu, this is the perfect pairing.

Crafted by one of the oldest estates in the Rhône Valley, M. Chapoutier has been producing exceptional wines since 1808, but it was Michel Chapoutier’s visionary leadership in 1990 that elevated the brand to global acclaim. His commitment to letting the land speak for itself is reflected in the distinct character of each wine. The terroir comprises pebbly clay soils and stone-laden terraces. After fermentation in concrete and stainless-steel tanks, the wine matures for 6 months, ensuring a balanced and expressive final product. NOTE: If accessibility and Braille labeling are important to you, this thoughtful detail sets the Chapoutier wines apart, creating a more inclusive wine experience for all. Bottle price: ~$20 on eBay.

#8 – Heinrich 2019 Blaufränkisch Natural Wine, Austria

Gernot & Heike Heinrich’s 2019 Blaufränkisch Natural Wine from Austria is like the cool, artsy cousin at your Thanksgiving table— quirky and effortlessly charming. With its lively red berry flavors, a subtle hint of spice, and an intriguing earthy complexity, this natural wine feels as fresh and unpretentious as it sounds. The minimal intervention approach really lets the terroir shine, giving it a juicy, crisp finish that's perfect for cutting through the richness of classic Thanksgiving fare. Pair it with everything from roast turkey and herb stuffing to cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes, and you’ve got the ultimate crowd-pleaser that’s as versatile as it is delicious. Bottle price: ~$30

#9 – Avivo 2022 White Wine, Lodi, California

This organic beauty of Lodi is made entirely from 100% Vermentino, a grape that thrives in the Central California region. Sourced from the Ledbetter Family Vineyards, the grapes come from two unique sites: the rocky, well-drained soils of the bench and the sandy alluvial soils along the Mokelumne River. Farmed regeneratively and certified glyphosate-free, Avivo is one of only three American wine brands to hold this distinction, ensuring a clean, sustainable wine that mirrors the ethos of modern winemaking. The 2022 vintage benefited from a warm autumn and smaller, more concentrated clusters, which gives the wine a remarkable balance of aromatic intensity and freshness.

So, how does it taste? This wine has citrus notes, a palate of lemon custard and a touch of green apple, with just enough minerality to keep this wine reviewer happy. The wine's texture is enhanced by indigenous fermentation and some barrel aging, bringing a subtle complexity and creaminess that pairs beautifully with the rich flavors of Thanksgiving dinner. Whether you’re enjoying roast turkey, sweet potatoes, or green bean casserole, this wine has the bright acidity to cut through the richness while complementing the diverse flavors of the feast. It’s refreshing to add an organic, sustainably farmed touch to the Thanksgiving table. Bottle price: ~$25

#10 – Iamontanum 2023 Viognier, Menorca, Spain

While on this Balearic island of Spain, this vino blanco surprised and delighted my palate as I typically do not enjoy single varietal Viognier. It’s the Thanksgiving wine you never knew you needed, but once you try it, you’ll wonder how you ever celebrated without it. This aromatic Viognier is bursting with stone fruit flavors— think apricot, peach, and a hint of citrus— that play perfectly with the richness of your holiday spread. Its refreshing acidity and delicate floral notes make it an ideal match for everything from roast turkey to creamy mashed potatoes, while its slight spice complements the savory stuffing and cranberry sauce. This is a nod to Menorca’s sunny Mediterranean climate-- it’s like adding a bit of Spanish sunshine to your holiday!

Charlene Peters is a travel, wine and food writer and author of "Travel Makes Me Hungry."