Thanksgiving Wine Retail Guide

I peruse my own retail selection to choose wines for the upcoming holiday.

Thanksgiving Wine Retail Guide

1. Sparkling Wines

2. Rosés

3. Whites

4. Reds

5. Dessert & Fortified Wines

Consider this a thought exercise to the highest degree. Thanksgiving is right around the corner. As a prospective host, you want to ensure a captivating and useful selection of wines. Or, perhaps you are a guy who is about to meet his future in-laws for the first time and you want to put your best foot forward. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, accomplishes that better than a good bottle of wine. Well, I am here to give my two cents on the matter. I have the luxury of working on the retail side. I love curating a selection for a wine shop. This also means that I am lucky enough to taste numerous wines throughout the week. Wine distributors will bring new arrivals, great seasonal options, or something off the beaten path. I am here to discuss all of these categories in this write-up. This will be a deep dive folks.

This is something that I have seen some of my other favorite writers do for the holidays. However, I will only be using wines that I currently have on the shelves in the shop. I have some incredible customers (yes, I am talking directly to some of you) that live very busy lives. This written compendium will be an ongoing piece that folks can reference to help select their holiday wines, or to be able to discuss them in more detail later on. For example, maybe you picked up a Beaujolais cru because you read online that it was a good idea for Thanksgiving. Do you know what the grape variety is? How about the subregion itself? Alternatively, and this is something that I get very interested in, are there better options at more value driven price points? This is all stuff we will get into now.

1. Sparkling Wines

When we think of sparkling wines, we almost all automatically go to “Champagne” or “Crémant”. However, it is 2025, and there is no reason to box ourselves into the geographical box of France when it comes to sparkling wines. I would make the argument for having at least one bottle of sparkling wine around for Thanksgiving. The day is long, there will be lots of festivities, and you want to be able to celebrate accordingly. Additionally, there are uses for sparkling wine that transcend ‘aperitif’ or ‘post dinner bubbles’. For example, many of us will likely have some sort of potato variant dish on the table. Rich, luxurious whipped potatoes with heaps of butter, cream, and salt. A sparkling wine could be the perfect palate cleanser between bites of rich seasonal foods. Here are some options for you.

Avinyó Cava Reserva Brut: This is one of those wines that constantly punches above its price point. To be fair, some Cava can be very bleh. Imagine tart acidity combined with a watery palate. However, this sparkling wine from Avinyó is none of the above. This Cava sees extended lees aging, is very focused on the nose, and has a nice textural component to it that you just don’t get with a lot of Spanish sparkling wines. Plus, the fact that this wine comes in sub $25 is just the cherry on top. Grab a couple, use them throughout the day, and everyone will be pleased.

Keush Origins Sparkling Wine: If I ever get the chance to talk about Armenian wine, you can bet your bottom dollar that I’m doing it. Keush, alongside the Zulal series of still wines, is a mainstay in the shop. This sparkling wine comes from indigenous Armenian varieties planted on volcanic and limestone soil. If you were to mirror that terroir in any western European country, this wine would be closer to the $50 mark. However, this is another wine that comes in at a value driven price. This is a sub $30 sparkling wine that has a beautiful acidity and green fruit aspect to it. A perfect wine for the holidays to serve alongside side dishes or finger foods.

Famille Mousse Eugene Blanc de Noirs Champagne: We’ve got to have a real Champagne option on the list here. Perhaps your circle is smaller. Say you only have to entertain yourself and another, or perhaps just one more couple. It can be worth it to splurge on a real Champagne. This is the one bottle I would opt for again and again. Eugene is a Pinot Meunier dominant sparkling wine from Champagne. It’s heady, toasty, and a perfect splurge for the finer moments in life. Famille Mousse is a producer you cannot help but love. They go above and beyond when it comes to vineyard health and practicing biodynamics. Even the bottle and foil used are reflections of the choice to lower their carbon footprint. Give this Champagne a try for the holidays. I would serve this one alone to really enjoy the nuances of the wine. If I had to pair with food, I’d be thinking of something earthy, perhaps fried, and maybe even brown sugar related.

2. Rosés

There are those out there that reserve rosé for warm months only. I see more and more folks in the shop being open to year round rosés, however, and that gives me hope. Thanksgiving is a perfect culinary journey to employ a rosé at some point. Start to imagine yourself in an old Western movie, and when you reach to draw for the Thanksgiving feast you whip out a killer bottle of rosé. Before I tell you my personal favorites from the shop, let me tell you the WHY. Why would rosé be good for Thanksgiving? Well, these examples would be great for a number of ways. If you find a rosé with the right amount of depth, then you could actually put it with the turkey or ham for the main dish. Or, you could feature the rosé in more of a sideline role (which I would personally do) to pair with certain smaller dishes. Think roasted Brussels sprouts, squash, and anything else earthy related to root vegetables.

Clos Cibonne Cuvée Spéciale des Vignettes: Folks, for me, this is the king of rosés right here. There is simply no one in the world that does this style of wine like the folks at Clos Cibonne. For those who have been following along for a while, this choice will be no shock to you. I have sung their praises for quite some time on Substack. The Cuvée Spéciale is a one-of-a-kind rosé. Clos Cibonne has access to the Tibouren grape, which is also known as Rossese in Liguria. They then age this wine under fleurette, which is similar to the wines of Sherry. What you get is texture galore, in addition to a compelling nose that manages both fruit and savory aspects. This is what I would treat myself to this upcoming Thanksgiving. Due to the complexity of this wine, and its weight on the palate, it offers you the most options when it comes to actually pairing.

Kolfok Intra! The Wild Rosé: We’ve got something pretty cool here. It’s a new arrival and it took me by complete surprise. A rosé made from organically farmed Blaufrankish. Austria is one of those regions that I often overlook, for no real reason, so I want to give it a chance to shine here. This is another barrel aged rosé so there is a natural spice component to it. Blaufrankish is such a giving grape in general, so a barrel aged rosé coming from it is guaranteed to be fun. You get loads of fruit and flavor from the grape itself, and further added complexity from the use of Austrian oak barrels. This is another rosé that lends itself to being paired with food. Or you can really kick things off and go at it solo dolo.

3. Whites

Now we will be getting into the main course of wines. The heavy hitters, stars of the show, all of the above. A white wine can easily be the main wine for a Thanksgiving meal due to the types of meats being served. A complex, aged, and weighty white wine can stand up to ham. Additionally, turkey is a perfect accompaniment for a white, or amber, wine. This is the perfect day to whip out that white Burgundy that you have been sitting on for some time. Additionally, you could do something with a more pronounced acidity to provide a refreshing note. You always have at least two choices when it comes to pairing: serve a wine to enhance a particular characteristic in the food, or another wine that will balance out said characteristic. I’ll bring it back to examples from the shop. In the summer, the midcoast of Maine is lobster roll central. You get one camp of folks who love something like a Chardonnay or Viognier with lobster. Highly aromatic wines that pull all of the flavor out of the food dish. The other camp of people prefer something like a Txakolina or Albariño. Give them a high acidity wine to slice through that butter and richness and they’ll be happy. It’s really up to you and your preferences.

Domaine Cheveau Mâcon-Davayé Les Belouzes: This is Chardonnay at some of its finest. For me, anything that Rosenthal Wine Merchant imports is pretty much fantastic. They bring in a handful of my favorite producers, and Domaine Cheveau is a prime example of this. I always tell people in the shop that I love French white wines and Italian red wines. This single hectare wine from Domaine Cheveau is that perfect embodiment of stainless steel fermentation with lees aging. It’s lively, textured, nuanced, and a great white wine to include for Thanksgiving. You could give this to a Chardonnay hater and they would still be impressed. It is really that captivating. Familiarize yourself with Rosenthal Wine Merchant and Domaine Cheveau in general.

Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet Sevre et Maine Les Gras Moutons: For the in-shop customers, you may as well buy this bottle simply because it says Maine on it! The Maine also happens to be a river in the western Loire Valley area. You should become familiar with it if only for the fact that this region produces absolutely stellar white wines. This white wines come from the Melon de Bourgogne grape. This wine has the perfect balance of acidity, fruit, and texture due to the lees aging. The incredible thing about good Muscadet is that these wines can age. The natural acidity in the Melon de Bourgogne grape allows for a decade or so of aging. This is a relatively young example in the shop. Therefore, you can expect a pretty vibrant acidity culminating with pronounced salinity, brighter citrus, and some fun mineral notes. This is a white wine that will please people who love Sancerre. It will also be a nice counterbalance to any rich dishes that may find their wine to the table.

4. Reds

I will put a red on the dinner table any opportunity that I get. In fact, I should be better about adhering to certain “norms” when it comes to wines. I remember reading one of Jancis Robinson’s books and being absolutely shocked by her descriptions of dinner parties. Multiple courses beginning with sparkling wines ,which were then followed by white wines, which were then followed by red wines culminating with a fortified wine of some sort. When people come over I usually hand them a glass of some rustic, heavy-hitting Tuscan red right off the bat. “GOOD LUCK WITH IT!” I yell at them. Anyways, it is something for me to work on. But, alas, we have arrived at the discussion of red wines for Thanksgiving. I’ve got some pretty great options in store this year.

Anne-Sophie Dubois Fleurie Les Cocottes: Gamay, Gamay, Gamay! A Beaujolais nouveau, a Gamay based wine from the Loire Valley, or a Beaujolais cru for your troubles. Gamay is such a perfect grape for this time of year. I have written about this topic extensively as of late. Plus, this particular example from Anne-Sophie Dubois is a special one. I used to have to get this wine in New York City when I would visit a friend. However, the great folks over at Easterly have brought Grand Cru Selections into the state of Maine. Therefore, I can get Anne-Sophie Dubois and other fun stuff directly to the store! However, there’s not much to go around folks. There is a sad reality to ordering wines from extremely sought-after artisanal producers: there is not much and it goes quick. I was able to get the last bit of this wine available in the state of Maine and we are down to something like a case now. I would jump on this one while you can. Fleurie is one of my favorite Beaujolais crus because you get a whole ton of dark fruit and dried violets. Fleurie is somewhat related to “fleur”, or flower in French. There is a complexity to this wine that would impress anybody at the dinner table. Again, if you are going to meet your in-laws for the first time, consider bringing this wine. Instant icebreaker: this fella knows his wine!

Conti di Buscareto Lacrima di Morro d’Alba: Well, I may have just written about this wine about a week ago, but whatever. This Italian red is just that good people! And, to vindicate myself a little, I do describe this wine as sort of an Italian Beaujolais hybrid in the shop. The aspects that I love about a Gamay wine, or southern French red wine, seem to be amplified in this wine from the Marche. This wine has a great price point and it is a guaranteed crowd pleaser. This red wine provides a fun alternative to the more standard examples you would often see on a Thanksgiving table. Move aside Gamay and Pinot Noir, you have some real competition here. This wine comes in at 12% ABV, is highly aromatic, and reminds one of candied red fruit and alpine herbs. The possibilities are endless with this one.

Abadía da Cova Cepa Vella Mencia: This is a new one for me folks, both personally and for the shop as well. Thank goodness for great distributors who represent fantastic importers. We are not in New York City or Boston. There are a handful of cities that get first pick on everything wine related, and they leave the rest to us. In a way, it forces you to scrounge and choose compelling alternatives. That’s what we have here with this Mencía wine from Abadía da Cova. I am a huge fan of Raúl Pérez and appreciate what he has done for Mencía in the general wine conversation. Now it is up to us to highlight some other great producers who are representing the Ribeira Sacra region. Abadía da Cova is doing exactly that. The great thing about Mencía is that it is very fresh, lifted, and lends itself to translating the terroir for us consumers. The granite found in these particular vineyards gives a smoky note to this wine. This would be another one of those options that would raise some eyebrows at the table, but in the best way possible. You can be the cool relative this year and introduce your friends and family to a new grape variety.

5. Dessert & Fortified Wines

The last one to discuss for this day folks. Imagine you are done with the main course and are feeling as though you need to switch into sweatpants. Well, you still have pie or some sort of dessert left. This is where the real game begins. This is where champions are made. Everyone is grumbling and suddenly you whip out a bottle of Madeira, or a sparkling Gamay based wine. The light returns to everyone’s faces, eyes begin to twinkle, and the night can continue.

H&H Madeira: I will keep this one relatively broad. We have so many options from this producer and I really do place their fortified wines at the top when it comes to QPR ratio. The quality of these wines is impeccable, price is manageable, and these bottles are built to last. You could open a bottle of Madeira for Thanksgiving, revisit it on Christmas, and then enjoy some more on New Year’s… all without refrigerating the dang thing. Imagine there is a pecan pie, pumpkin pie, or some other dessert on the table. A small glass of chilled Madeira would be the perfect accompaniment for any of these options. Incredible notes of sweet dried fruit, roasted nuts, and honey are found in these wines. All of the H&H fortified wines are special. Again, this would be the cherry on top that would result in a truly memorable night.

Lingot Martin Bugey Cerdon Gamay Rosé: This is just a fun wine to end the night on. A sparkling rosé that comes in at 8% ABV that has a nice dose of residual sugar and plenty of red fruit aromatics. When everyone is full and tired, this is the wine you surprise them with at the end. It’s acidic, sparkling, and lively. This is one of those wines that has been around the store for over two years now because there is simply no better option for this category. People love drinking this wine during all times of the year. It is a perfect bottle to pop open on your porch and drink in the late afternoon sun during the summer. For the fall and Thanksgiving, this wine will give you a nice boost and allow you to serve another style of bubbles for the end of your meal. Again, this is a wine that you can open for wine lovers and casual enjoyers alike. There is something in this wine for everyone.

Thus, we have arrived at the end folks. For my local people who come into the shop, I hope this provides you with a blueprint for your Thanksgiving wines. I will be doing plenty of in-store tastings leading up to Thanksgiving so come by and try some of these for yourself. If one of these is not open, then there will certainly be a similar wine in its place. For my online folks, I hope this can provide you with some ideas or fun reading. Maybe there is a producer on here that you have not tried before. Either way, we are getting to the fun times of the year when it comes to celebrations. Splurge for that special bottle or buy a case to enjoy with family and friends. These are the moments that make wine special folks!