Thanksgiving is well behind us, but the Turkey is still a centerpiece at many Christmas dinner tables. If your December holiday menu will include Turkey, Duck or a Truducken, take a look at this article I wrote on Thanksgiving Wines for 12 Most .

12 Most Thanksgiving Friendly Wines

The quintessential American Thanksgiving meal will inevitably include turkey as the main course. But with eating that begins early in the day and concludes late in the evening, there is no one perfect wine for this day. Also, the wide variety of side dishes and turkey that can be prepared so many different ways makes it almost necessary to have both a white and a red available on the table. Here are some widely available wine suggestions for what to serve throughout the day.

Sparkling Starters

1. Saint Hilaire Limoux

Because it isn’t a holiday until someone pops the bubbly, the morning breakfast feast should include some sparkling wine. You don’t have to spend a lot to get a quality wine, the Saint Hilaire from the Limoux region in France, retails for about $12.

2. Piera Martellozzo, Prosecco “Blue Pearl”

This is a delightful sparkling wine, not sweet, but fruitful in both aromas and flavors. It will be a delightful wine to sip while preparing all the luscious dishes of the day! Retails for about $16

3. Moet & Chandon Rosé

If your wallet allows, splurge for a bottle of this wine, and make it a vintage. The rich, intensity of this champagne will set the mood for the day. Retail prices vary widely on this wine.

Dinner Table Whites and Reds

4. Sheldrake Point Riesling

Rieslings are widely known as food friendly wines. This wine is medium dry, crisp and refreshing. If you are preparing a Turducken Cajun style, this wine will be a very refreshing pairing. Retails for about $15.

5. Hosmer Dry Riesling

There is a crisp apple on the nose with refreshing citrus and mineral flavors. This is a bone dry Riesling that is perfect to drink on its own. The mineral flavors on this wine remind me of a fine French Chablis. If I were standing over a hot vat of boiling oil ready to fry my turkey, I would want this wine to take the heat off! Retails for about $13.

6. Robert Mondavi Sauvignon Blanc

Stick with the classics; this is a versatile, easy to find, crowd pleasing white wine. Aromas of tropical fruits will pair nicely with a tofu turkey, a sumptuous salad entrée, and shrimp cocktail appetizers. Retails for abut $12.

7. Saintsbury Pinot Noir

For a traditionally prepared roasted turkey, the Saintsbury Pinot Noir pairs nicely. Offering ripe cherry and berry flavors, with a full body and a bit of spice, it is an elegant Pinot Noir. Retails for about $20.

8. The Crusher Pinot Noir

If you are planning on smoking your turkey, then you’ll want a Pinot Noir that can stand up to those hearty flavors. The Crusher Pinot Noir from Don & Sons has smoke and bacon aromas with clove and cherries flavors. This wine won’t be drowned out by the hearty flavors of a smoked turkey. Retails for about $18.

9. Innocent Bystander Pinot Noir

A chimichurrie brined turkey will be juicy and have delicate herbal flavors with a hint of spice. Such a bird calls for a medium bodied Pinot Noir with fresh raspberry and cherry aromas. This is a sexy Pinot Noir and at a retail price of about $15 it is sure to be a hit.

Dessert and Fireplace Wines

10. BR Cohn Silver Label Cabernet Sauvignon

Rich flavors of berry, black cherry and vanilla. This is a high quality Cabernet Sauvignon that will pair perfectly with the chocolates on your dessert menu. Retails for about $20.

11. Chateau Montelena Estate Zinfandel

With aromas of earth and spice, this wine is a perfect pairing with after dinner cigars enjoyed around the fire pit. Retails for about $30.

 12. Terra d’Oro Zinfandel Port 

In our house, holidays begin with Champagne and end with Port. This California Port is a luscious treat; with no aging required it’s ready to drink! Serve it with chocolate or blue cheeses. Retails for about $12.

Which ever way you serve your turkey or tofu turkey, and whichever of these wine you select, remember that the focus of the day is on family, friends and all we have to be thankful for. So, I raise my glass in a toast to you and your family that you may have a wonderful holiday.

This article was written by Eileen Gross, and previously posted on 12 Most.