While I think there are so many beautiful wines that shine at Thanksgiving, one of the consistent crowd-pleasers for this holiday is Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir is often looked at as the “Thanksgiving Wine” because it is one of the most versatile red wines when it comes to food pairings. With all of the different delicious flavors at this feast, you need a wine that can balance it all.
So why is Pinot Noir so versatile?
- Bright acidity: Pinot Noir’s lively acidity helps it cut through the richness of classic Thanksgiving dishes like turkey, stuffing, and gravy.
- Moderate tannins with light to medium body: Pinot Noir has soft tannins with a light to medium body that is perfect for balancing food without being too intense and overpowering them.
- Flavor profile: Its red fruit notes (think cranberry, cherry, and pomegranate) echo many of the sweet-tart flavors found in traditional sides like cranberry sauce and roasted root vegetables.
We have rounded up 5 Pinot Noirs that are sure to be loved by all and balance every dish perfectly.
Cakebread Two Creeks Vineyards Pinot Noir – Mendocino County, CA – $61
Two Creeks Pinot Noir blends grapes from the Annahala and Apple Barn Estate vineyards in Mendocino County’s Anderson Valley, an area renowned for exceptional Pinots. The Pacific Ocean keeps the vineyards cool, with Annahala foggier and Apple Barn warmer, both growing nine Pinot Noir clones. Grapes are harvested at night, hand-sorted, cold-soaked, and fermented with native and cultured yeasts, with a small portion of stems for added spice. The wine spends thirteen months in French oak before bottling. It shows aromas of black cherry, raspberry, rose petal, and violet, with a fresh, flavorful palate supported by silky tannins and a smooth, lingering finish.
Craggy Range Martinborough Pinot Noir – Martinborough, New Zealand – $30
This Pinot Noir is made from 100% hand-harvested grapes from carefully selected blocks at the Estate-owned Te Muna Road Vineyard, one of Martinborough’s most prestigious sites, along with other top areas of the region. Most grapes are destemmed before whole-bunch fermentation in a mix of open-top stainless steel tanks and French oak cuvées using indigenous yeasts. The wine then ages nine months in French oak barriques, 7% new, before being fined, lightly filtered, and bottled. It shows a bright red color with crimson highlights, offering aromas of red cherry, raspberry, rose, and damp earth. Supple and fleshy on the palate, the wine’s youthful fruit and fine tannins lead to an elegant, dry finish that is beautifully true to Pinot Noir.
Domaine Carneros Estate Pinot Noir – Carneros, CA – $40
Domaine Carneros Pinot Noir is a true reflection of the Carneros region, crafted from six green-certified Estate Vineyards located within four miles of the Château. The wine combines eleven distinct Pinot Noir clones, each adding its own nuance to create a layered and expressive blend that captures the essence of the terroir. After an early morning harvest, the handpicked grapes are gently destemmed, cold soaked, and fermented in small open-topped vats to build depth, color, and complexity. Aged ten months in French oak, this Pinot Noir offers vibrant raspberry and black cherry aromas with hints of smoke and spice. Medium-bodied with bright acidity and supple tannins, it finishes long and elegant.
Louis Jadot Pinot Noir Bourgogne – Burgundy, France – $25
Louis Jadot has recently opened a winery dedicated exclusively to producing its Bourgogne Pinot Noir, sourcing the highest-quality fruit each year from long-standing relationships with growers across Burgundy. To enhance the wine’s character, Jadot sometimes incorporates réplis, or declassified wines from higher appellations, into the final blend. The result is a medium-bodied Pinot Noir that is harmonious and silky, with plump red fruit, gentle tannins, and elegant structure. Classic aromas and flavors of red cherries and wild strawberries are complemented by a delicious, lingering finish.
READ MORE: Friendsgiving Wine Guide Under $20 – Wine 365
Montes Alpha Pinot Noir – Aconcagua Coast, Chile – $25
Montes Alpha Pinot Noir comes from vineyards in the cool coastal areas of Casablanca, Zapallar, and Leyda within Chile’s Aconcagua Coast. The vines thrive in ideal growing conditions, producing healthy grapes with great natural balance and flavor. In the glass, the wine shows a brilliant ruby red color with violet reflections and enticing aromas of strawberries, cherry liqueur, wildflowers, and violets. The palate is juicy and smooth, with bright acidity, soft ripe tannins, and a generous, elegant finish that highlights its refined character.
READ MORE: 5 Wines That Taste Like Fall in a Glass – Wine 365
No matter your Thanksgiving menu, these Pinot Noirs are versatile enough to complement everything from turkey and stuffing to roasted vegetables and cranberry sauce. With their bright fruit, balanced acidity, and silky tannins, they bring elegance and harmony to the holiday table, making them the perfect choice for gathering with friends and family.
