Not Gonna Lie: These Wines Will Outshine the Turkey During Thanksgiving This Year

There’s a lot to be said about turkey and mashed potatoes and stuffing…but can we just talk about Thanksgiving wine for a sec? Possibly the most underrated item at any Thanksgiving table, the vino is the thing that makes all the other things better. It makes the food taste more delicious (no shade to your mom’s cooking,) your relatives more hilarious, and the political conversations you have with your dad a little more bearable.

But when Mom puts you in charge of picking out the offerings, you may be stumped. Somehow your typical boxed variety doesn’t seem like something your entire family can get behind. And what even goes with turkey anyway? Paige Dadmun, cellar assistant at Rusack Vineyards, suggests zinfandel, chardonnay, or pinot noir for your Thanksgiving spread. “You want something that won’t overpower the flavor of the turkey and the rest of the food on the table,” she says.

Even with some guidance, picking out the wine can still be overwhelming. Steven Gerbac, the winemaker at Rusack Vineyards, recommends choosing a wine that makes you happiest. “It’s important for people to know you don’t have to focus on the flavor or spend a ton of money to have a great wine paired with your holiday meal,” he says.

And what holiday doesn’t need an extra boost of happiness (aka vino!)? Here are the 17 best options for wines to add to your Thanksgiving table this year. Smiles: guaranteed.