HONOLULU (KHON2) — Thanksgiving is about food, family and tradition; but choosing the right wine to pair with the meal can often feel daunting.
KHON2.com caught up with Mark Cartland, Sommelier and Wine Director for Island Vintage Wine Bars, who believes selecting wines for the holiday is easier than most people realize.
“Thanksgiving is a time for conviviality. It’s about bringing people together,” Cartland said. “Wines that are food-friendly, those that enhance the flavors of the meal rather than overwhelm them, are ideal.”
Cartland suggested that wine should never overpower the complex flavors of a Thanksgiving meal which often features turkey, stuffing and an array of sides like sweet potatoes, casseroles, cranberry sauce and desserts.
He advocates for wines that are “balanced and not too brash”. With such a variety of flavors at the table, you’ll need wines that are versatile enough to pair with almost anything.
For those looking to start the meal with something celebratory, Cartland has a simple piece of advice:
“When in doubt, go with champagne or a good sparkling wine.” Champagne, especially, is a great choice because it pairs well with almost everything. “You can start with it, enjoy it throughout the meal; and it’s just an easy, wonderful wine to drink with a festive vibe,” he explained.
One of Cartland’s top picks for Thanksgiving is the Pierre Péters Champagne Cuvée de Réserve.
This Grand Cru Champagne is made from 100% Chardonnay and offers elegance and minerality with fine bubbles and citrus notes that provide a refreshing start to the meal.
For a slightly different take on sparkling wine, Cartland recommends Champagne Marie Courtin “Efflorescence”.
Made from Pinot Noir, this extra brut Champagne brings vibrant acidity and subtle red fruit undertones; it’s perfect for pairing with dishes that include both turkey and cranberry sauce.
For a more adventurous option, Cartland suggests a rosé from Sancerre from a region in France famous for its food-friendly wines.
The Cuvée La Croix Poignant Rosé is made from Pinot Noir and offers crisp acidity, notes of red currants and a hint of minerality typical of the region’s terroir.
“Rosé is a great option because it’s lighter and adds a touch of brightness,” Cartland explained.
He also recommends Beaujolais, especially 2024 Beaujolais Nouveau which is a fresh and fruity wine made to celebrate the harvest.
“Beaujolais is the ultimate Thanksgiving wine,” Cartland said, “it’s malleable with almost everything on the table, from turkey to stuffing.”
If you’re looking for something with a bit more structure, Cartland suggests Lágrimas de Bhilar from Rioja, Spain.
Made from the Graciano grape, this medium-bodied red has fresh acidity and herbal notes which makes it an excellent match for the savory richness of roasted turkey and side dishes like mashed potatoes.
Another great choice from Rioja is R. López de Heredia – Viña Tondonia Reserva 2012. This traditional Rioja has complex flavors of leather, dried fruits and spice, thanks to its long aging process.
“It has a classic, earthy story that’s just perfect for the Thanksgiving table,” Cartland added.
For those who prefer white wines, Cartland highlights the Henri Bourgeois Pouilly-Fumé from the Loire Valley in France.
Made from Sauvignon Blanc, it offers flinty minerality, citrus zest and vibrant acidity which pairs beautifully with lighter dishes like roasted vegetables or a salad.
Another great option is a Pinot Grigio from Slovenia, Giocato Pinot Grigio. It provides a refreshing acidity and notes of green apple and citrus to make it ideal for those who enjoy a crisper white wine.
No matter what you choose, Cartland encourages you to think about the balance between the wine and the flavors on your plate.
“The goal is to enhance the meal and bring out the best in both the food and the wine,” he said.
Here are the details for the wines Cartland suggests that will elevate your meal to heights of sophistication and satisfaction.
Lindquist Family Wines – Syrah (Central Coast)
- Producer: Lindquist Family Wines.
- Region: Central Coast, California, U.S.A.
- Varietal: Syrah.
- This wine is likely a bold and flavorful red, typical of Syrah, with dark fruit flavors like blackberry, hints of pepper, and earthy undertones.
- Vintage: 2020.
- Syrahs from the Central Coast often have a balance of ripe fruit and cool-climate characteristics due to the region’s coastal influences.
R. López de Heredia — Viña Tondonia Reserva (2012)
- Producer: R. López de Heredia.
- Region: Rioja, Spain.
- Type: Reserva Red Wine.
- Rioja Reservas are aged for a minimum of three years, with at least one year in oak barrels. They typically feature red fruit notes like cherry and plum, alongside vanilla, tobacco, and earthy flavors.
- Vintage: 2012.
- This wine has likely developed complex, tertiary aromas like leather, dried fruits, and spice from bottle aging.
- Style: Traditional Rioja with a reputation for long aging potential and elegant structure.
Muga Reserva (2020)
- Producer: Bodegas Muga.
- Region: Rioja, Spain.
- Type: Reserva Red Wine (Unfiltered).
- Known for full-bodied, balanced wines, Muga’s Reservas often showcase dark fruit, spice, and smoky oak notes from meticulous winemaking.
- Vintage: 2020.
- This is a younger Rioja Reserva compared to the Viña Tondonia, with fresher fruit flavors and vibrant acidity, complemented by oak influence.
Beaujolais Nouveau
- Producer: Domaine Dupeuble Père et Fils, imported by Kermit Lynch.
- Region: Beaujolais, France.
- Type: Red Wine (Gamay).
- Description: A young, fruity, and vibrant red wine made to celebrate the harvest. It’s known for its fresh red berry notes and lively character, intended to be enjoyed shortly after bottling.
- Vintage: 2024.
- This Beaujolais Nouveau is lively and fresh, offering vibrant fruit flavors, making it a delightful and easy pairing for turkey and stuffing.
Cuvée La Croix Poignant Rosé
- Producer: Domaine Clairin
- Region: Sancerre, Loire Valley, France
- Type: Rosé (Pinot Noir)
- Description: A delicate rosé from Sancerre, offering crisp acidity, notes of red currants, and a hint of minerality typical of the region’s terroir.
- Vintage: NV (Non-Vintage).
- With its fresh, light body and balanced fruitiness, this rosé is an ideal pairing for lighter dishes such as salads and roasted vegetables.
Pierre Péters Champagne Cuvée de Réserve
- Producer: Pierre Péters
- Region: Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Champagne, France
- Type: Blanc de Blancs Champagne (Chardonnay)
- Description: A Grand Cru Champagne showcasing fine bubbles, citrus notes, and a creamy texture. It’s renowned for its elegance and minerality.
- Vintage: NV (Non-Vintage).
- This champagne offers a refined, balanced profile with bright citrus flavors and a smooth, creamy mouthfeel—perfect as an aperitif or throughout a Thanksgiving meal.
Champagne Marie Courtin “Efflorescence”
- Producer: Marie Courtin
- Region: Champagne, France
- Type: Extra Brut Champagne (Pinot Noir)
- Description: A terroir-driven, single-vineyard Champagne with a focus on purity and expressive minerality. Expect vibrant acidity and subtle red fruit undertones.
- Vintage: NV (Non-Vintage).
- This champagne’s focus on the vineyard’s unique characteristics brings forward fresh, earthy flavors, making it an excellent complement to Thanksgiving’s diverse dishes.
Lágrimas de Bhilar
- Producer: Bodegas Bhilar
- Region: Rioja Alavesa, Spain
- Type: Red Wine (Graciano)
- Description: A medium-bodied wine highlighting the unique qualities of the Graciano grape, with fresh acidity, herbal notes, and dark fruit flavors.
- Vintage: NV (Non-Vintage).
- This wine is perfect for pairing with turkey or any roasted meats, offering an elegant and fresh balance that complements the rich flavors of a Thanksgiving feast.
Château des Jacques Clos des Thorins (2020)
- Producer: Château des Jacques
- Region: Moulin-à-Vent, Beaujolais, France
- Type: Cru Beaujolais (Gamay)
- Description: A structured and age-worthy Beaujolais with layers of cherry, violet, and earthy complexity. Reflects the serious side of Gamay from one of the top crus.
- Vintage: 2020.
- With its structured body and layered complexity, this Beaujolais is a perfect match for more robust Thanksgiving dishes, offering a sophisticated touch to the meal.
Giocato Pinot Grigio
- Producer: Aleks Simčič (Giocato)
- Region: Goriška Brda, Slovenia
- Type: White Wine (Pinot Grigio)
- Description: A refreshing Pinot Grigio with bright acidity, notes of green apple, citrus, and a clean, mineral finish.
- Vintage: NV (Non-Vintage).
- This wine’s crisp, refreshing profile pairs wonderfully with lighter appetizers and dishes like roasted vegetables or a fresh salad, offering a clean finish to balance heavier holiday fare.
Henri Bourgeois Pouilly-Fumé (2025)
- Producer: Henri Bourgeois
- Region: Pouilly-Fumé, Loire Valley, France
- Type: White Wine (Sauvignon Blanc)
- Description: A classic Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc with pronounced flinty minerality, citrus zest, and vibrant acidity.
- Vintage: 2025.
- This wine’s bright acidity and flinty minerality make it a fantastic pairing with roasted poultry or any dish featuring creamy sauces, elevating the meal with its refreshing character.
You can click here to learn more about Island Vintage Wine Bars. You can watch Cartland’s full interview in the video above.
By picking wines that are versatile and food-friendly, Thanksgiving can be a celebration of flavors; family; and, of course, good wine.