The Best Wines To Drink On Thanksgiving, According To Sommeliers

Thanksgiving is one of the biggest food holidays of the year, but it's also one of the biggest days for drinking. Whether you simply enjoy your green bean casserole with a cocktail in hand or need a drink (or three) to get through the holiday chaos , your Thanksgiving dinner will likely feature at least a few beverage pairings.

As much as we love a festive fall cocktail, like our apple cider margarita or pumpkin spice White Russian , wine is our go-to for our holiday table. Opening a bottle of wine is far less fussy than measuring and shaking cocktails to order. Williams Sonoma recommends buying at least one bottle of wine per person —so you can stock up on several options that everybody will love.

But what's the right type of wine to pair with your Thanksgiving dinner ? What bottles should you avoid? To make your decision much easier, we consulted sommeliers across the country to share their suggestions at every price point, as well as general advice to keep in mind while you're shopping.

General Wine Advice for Thanksgiving Regardless if your Thanksgiving menu veers more traditional or experimental , you're going to have a lot of distinct flavor combinations on your plate. The best way to avoid any unpleasant pairings is to buy wines that won't upstage your food.

"Wines that are lower in alcohol, with fresh bright acidity tend to work with more variety of dishes on your table. Younger wines are more apt to be characterized by these traits," says Torrey Grant , MS SCM and Adjunct Professor of Wine Appreciation at Syracuse University . "Unless you are in control of the table you may not know every dish that's going to land on it so the idea is versatility!"

It's also worth buying several different wine styles to suit your guests' palates. "Choosing wines for Thanksgiving can be a bit of a challenge, with so many different dishes and guests with varying tastes," adds Samantha Francis, Wine Club Manager and WSET Level-2 with Distinction at Estate Yountville . "To make sure everyone has something to enjoy, it's always a good idea to offer a variety of options."

When it comes to red, the best Thanksgiving wines are light to medium bodied that bring some brightness to the table. "Wines that are medium bodied and have good acidity tend to be more food-friendly, balancing the richness of dishes like turkey and gravy," says Salvatore Castano , sommelier at . Varietals like Pinot Noir, Gamay, and Beaujolais are good starting points for your search.

You should also steer clear of any red wines with heavy tannins that will dominate your palate and wash out other flavors. The exception to this rule is if you're skipping turkey and instead cooking heartier dishes like prime rib or braised short ribs .

As for white, it's best to avoid bottles that have sweet or oaky notes. Because you can reasonably expect to find sweet sides on your menu—like cranberry sauce and sweet potato casserole —the added sugar from a sweet wine can taste cloying. "Unless specifically for dessert, very sweet wines might not pair well throughout the meal and could overshadow the natural flavors of the food," Castano says.

You can opt for bright and crisp whites like Sauvignon Blanc or richer Chardonnays (as long as they don't veer too oaky). When in doubt, ask your local wine purveyor for advice.

Thanksgiving Wine Recommendations Sommeliers across the board agreed that the best wines for Thanksgiving are ones that you personally enjoy—your holiday, your rules. The bottles you buy depend on your menu, budget, and the inventory at wine stores near you. But if you're on the hunt for expert-approved bottle recommendation, look no further.

We've rounded up nine bottles recommended by sommeliers that span different regions, styles, and price points. No matter what kind of wine you want to feature at your Thanksgiving dinner, there's likely something here that you'll love.