Thanksgiving is chaos on a plate — turkey, gravy, cranberry, stuffing, three sides that fight each other. Bring an Oregon Pinot Noir like Argyle for red, Chateau Ste Michelle Riesling Eroica for the sweet-savory sides, and a Cava or Argyle Brut to start. All three earn their seat.
By Michael Bottigliero, Certified Sommelier (WSET Advanced), Founder of Bottles Nation.
13 Celsius · Sauvignon Blanc · White · New Zealand
Michael's take: Good, everyday light white
A to Z Wineworks · Chardonnay · White · USA
Michael's take: One of the perfect Chardonnays for those who do not like oakiness
A to Z Wineworks · Pinot Noir · Red · USA
Michael's take: One of the best entry level Pinot Noirs available
Acrobat (King Estate) · Chardonnay · White · USA
Michael's take: Just another great Chardonnay value from Oregon
Acrobat (King Estate) · Pinot Noir · Red · USA
Michael's take: Low priced Pinot Noir that hits
Adelsheim · Pinot Noir · Red · USA
Michael's take: Pure Oregon cherry, zero pretense, total steal.
Adelsheim · Chardonnay · White · USA
Michael's take: Crisp Oregon orchard fruit, zero butter buildup.
Aia Vecchia · Red Blend · Red · Italy
Michael's take: Rich Tuscan blend, serious steakhouse bargain.
Albert Bichot · Chardonnay/Pinot Noir · Sparkling · France
Michael's take: Champagne taste, working-class budget, crisp bubbles.
Albert Boxler · Pinot Blanc Blend · Sparkling · France
Michael's take: Minerally French bubbles, top-tier artisan value.
Lucien Albrecht · Pinot Blanc Blend · Sparkling · France
Michael's take: Crisp green apple, high-end bubbles, lunch-pail price.
Lucien Albrecht · Pinot Blanc Blend · Sparkling · France
Michael's take: Fresh strawberry punch, zero fuss, all day.
Alexana · Pinot Noir · Red · USA
Michael's take: Savory Dundee hills soil, honest fruit, overdelivers.
Angela Estate · Chardonnay · White · USA
Michael's take: Bright Yamhill citrus, sharp precision, incredible value.
Anne de K (Kuentz-Bas) · Pinot Blanc Blend · Sparkling · France
Michael's take: Crisp, refreshing French bubbles, blue-collar price.
Anne de K (Kuentz-Bas) · Riesling · White · France
Michael's take: Dry, zesty citrus punch, workingman's Alsace.
Archery Summit · Pinot Gris · White · USA
Michael's take: Zesty orchard fruit, crisp Oregon value.
Argyle · Chardonnay/Pinot Noir · Sparkling · USA
Michael's take: Creamy orchard fruit, toasted brioche, benchmark Oregon bubbles.
Argyle · Chardonnay · White · USA
Michael's take: Toasted hazelnut, crisp lemon curd, electric Oregon tension.
Argyle · Pinot Noir · Red · USA
Michael's take: Silky red cherry, subtle forest floor, classic Willamette value.
Avignonesi · Sangiovese · Red · Italy
Michael's take: Bright red cherry, dusty Tuscan earth, pure everyday value.
Bibi Graetz · Sangiovese · Red · Italy
Michael's take: Juicy red cherry, rustic Tuscan herb, pure casual Sangiovese charm.
Blanchard & Perez · Macabeo/Xarel-lo/Parellada · Sparkling · Spain
Michael's take: Crisp green apple, faint toasted almond, dry everyday value.
Bodega Colome · Torrontes · White · Argentina
Michael's take: Explosive white floral, zesty lime peel, high-altitude Salta electricity.
Bodegas Naveran · Macabeo/Xarel-lo/Parellada · Sparkling · Spain
Michael's take: Toasty brioche crunch, bruised yellow apple, exceptional vintage Cava value.
Bodegas Ordonez (Nisia) · Verdejo · White · Spain
Michael's take: Bright citrus curd, chalky mineral texture, creamy lees-aged Verdejo depth.
Borrasca · Macabeo/Xarel-lo/Parellada · Sparkling · Spain
Michael's take: Crisp lemon zest, faint chalky minerals, clean party-ready bubbles.
Brancott Estate · Sauvignon Blanc · White · New Zealand
Michael's take: Zesty pink grapefruit, crisp lemongrass, quintessential Marlborough energy.
Burgans · Albarino · White · Spain
Michael's take: Ripe white peach, briny sea spray minerality, vibrant, juicy Salnés Valley energy.
Ca' del Bosco · Chardonnay/Pinot Noir · Sparkling · Italy
Michael's take: Creamy lemon curd, toasted brioche, elegant, razor-sharp Champagne-method precision.
An Oregon Pinot Noir. It has the acid to handle cranberry and the fruit to love turkey without steamrolling the table. If you only bring one bottle, make it a Willamette Valley Pinot like Argyle or Adelsheim. You'll look like a hero, guaranteed.
Bring both. Turkey is neutral enough to go either way, and different guests want different things. A light red like Pinot Noir and a bright white like dry Riesling or Albarino covers the whole table. Add a sparkling for the toast.
Plan roughly one bottle per two adults across the meal, plus one sparkling to open. For a table of eight that's usually four to five bottles total. Better to have one extra than run dry during dessert.
Ask in your own words - dinner, occasion, budget - and get 2-3 bottles straight from Michael's list.