This week I’ve been flooded with e-mails and texts from friends and readers pleading for Thanksgiving wine advice. The all-American holiday seems to cause more wine stress than any other meal, especially this year.After a divisive election, everyone is asking for the one wine that will not only go with every dish, but also please every guest from twentysomethings to grandparents, whatever their politics.I’m here to tell you that no single “unity” Thanksgiving wine exists. And that’s true even if you’re hosting a feast with just your partner and your best wine-loving friends. But take a deep breath—and relax. The five wines I’m recommending below are sure to satisfy everyone at your table.In addition, having enough chairs, a delicious, succulent turkey with lots of comforting garlic mashed potatoes, and an ability to cool off reheated political squabbles (excuse me, discussions) will matter much, much more. Anyway, the main requirement of a successful Thanksgiving wine is that it be wine.

But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to serve good wine that will add to the flavors of the meal and the conviviality of the event. I’m not one of those hosts that just puts a lot of random wines on the table to see what happens. Been there, done that. Over years of trial and error, I’ve boiled down my view of the Thanksgiving wine conundrum to the following principles.It’s just as important to match wines to your diverse guests as to the food. My table always seems to include a couple of French wine snobs, at least one lover of dull pinot grigio or fat-bottomed chardonnay, newbies who say they don’t know what they like, craft beer enthusiasts, and a few wine geeks who turn up their noses at any wines with a whiff of popularity.Yes, it’s possible to find wines they’ll all like. But remember, this isn’t the time to pull out your best bottles. (You’ll just be annoyed that no one picked up on the subtleties.) I serve easygoing, drink-me-now wines whose flavor profiles—lots of juicy, tangy fruit, low tannin, and little oak—have the widest appeal.

Luckily, these types of wines also happen to be highly versatile with food, and they are reliable partners for the culinary mash-up of tastes on a traditional Thanksgiving table. buy fruit wineThe day’s food pleasures usually include not just crisp roasted turkey with rich oyster or spicy, savory sausage stuffing (and sometimes both), but also tart cranberry sauce, earthy baked onions, and even sugary marshmallow-topped sweet potatoes that no foodie would ordinarily embrace.best way to store opened bottle of wineEach wine just needs to be as food-friendly as possible.best graphic design wine labelsI don’t know about you, but my Thanksgiving dinners start early and go late, with guests who keep on eating and drinking and talking (sometimes even singing) for hours. best red wine for casual drinking

Lighter wines with zingy acidity have enough energy to refresh palates so we can all eat and drink some more.  wine bar in georgetown dcHeavy, alcoholic ones are torpor-inducing and make people want to yawn and stretch out on the nearest couch.what kind of red wine is best for weight lossThere’s nothing worse than running out of wine at Thanksgiving, unless it’s running out of food. Plan on at least one bottle per adult and have more in reserve. Since I always have a crowd, the wines have to be easy on the wallet, too, around $25 a bottle or less.Serving American wines seems especially appropriate for an all-American holiday, but this year I decided to adopt a global, inclusive view that brings in international bottles. Just so you know, I’ve field-tested those below with a wide variety of guests. 

NV Miotto Fedéra Extra Dry Prosecco ($18)Bubbles go with everything. They’re great starters because they signal celebration and put everyone in a generous mood. Proseccos are traditionally lighter and fruitier (and, of course, way cheaper) than Champagnes, and that makes them good with the flavors on a Thanksgiving table. This one, made by a young, energetic producer, has floral aromas and a creamy texture. 2014 Elk Cove Vineyards Pinot Noir ($27) People like to tout pinot as the one, perfect Thanksgiving wine, but pinots vary in style, from big and rich to delicate and spicy and everything in between. The good ones usually cost more than my self-imposed price limit, but this delicious example from Oregon’s Willamette Valley shows red cherry, berry, and spice flavors at a reasonable price.2015 Pierre Chermette Beaujolais (Domaine du Vissoux, $16) Before it became like cotton candy and crashed and burned, the ideal turkey wine used to be Beaujolais Nouveau. Now gamay (the grape from which Beaujolais is made) is fashionable again, especially among wine geeks, who rightly see examples from top producers as major bargains.

This one has the right tart, juicy, cherry and pomegranate fruitiness to pair with the bird. 2015 Abbazia di Novacella Kerner ($20) I’ve yet to have anyone at my table who doesn’t like this wonderfully harmonious white, made from the kerner grape by monks at an abbey in the Alto Adige region of northern Italy. Its crisp, vibrant, fruity, savory, salty, and floral flavors match well with all those tart, sweet, and spicy tastes on the table. And it has depth and roundness, too.2014 Chateau Ste. Michelle & Dr. Loosen Eroica Riesling ($20)The subtle, fruity sweetness in bright off-dry rieslings counters spicy tastes, and zingy acidity keeps the wine from being cloying. This widely available example from Washington State is a joint project of German winemaker Ernie Loosen and giant wine company Chateau Ste. Michelle.This year there’s lots to be thankful for, particularly for the exceptional recent vintages that offer a spectacular selection of wines to pair with your Thanksgiving feast.

We’d like to introduce you to some classic wine choices for Thanksgiving as well as a few new intriguing options that you might not have considered. 2016 Thanksgiving Wine Pairings Why these pairings work: If you’re wondering why the following wines were chosen as ideal Thanksgiving matches, let’s take into account what these wines share in common. Each of the following red wines were chosen for their bold, red fruit flavors, subtle earthiness, light tannin, and moderate acidity. Because these traits beautifully complement a traditional Thanksgiving menu and here’s how: Red fruit flavors mimic the tartness of cranberry sauce and match well with autumn spices such as clove, allspice, and cinnamon. Light tannin and moderate acidity pair perfectly with the texture and intensity of turkey. Subtle earthiness complements the earthy, umami-rich flavor of gravy. Zinfandel could very well be the #1 All-American Thanksgiving wine choice given that it was once the most planted variety in California (prior to the Prohibition era).

Here’s how this wine will behave when paired with food: It will amplify Thanksgiving spices such as clove, cinnamon, and allspice. It often adds a touch of smokiness to the taste profile. It’s typically bolder and richer (higher alcohol) and thus, pairs well with dark meat turkey. Here are a few great American Zin options to get your mouth watering: 2014 Frog’s Leap Zinfandel (Napa Valley, CA ~$27) 13.8% ABV 2014 Hartford Russian River Zinfandel (Sonoma, CA ~$37) 15.7% ABV 2014 Bedrock Wine Company “Old Vine” Zinfandel (Sonoma and Lodi, CA ~$24) 14.4% ABV Pinot Noir is the fine-wine lover’s #1 pick for Thanksgiving, which is due (in large part) to the grape’s prestigious pedigree tracing back to Burgundy, France. A great pick for classic Thanksgiving dishes with simple spicing (salt + pepper) or cream based dishes like creamy mashed potatoes or casserole. Pinot works well with both dark and white meat turkey. It will do great to accentuate cranberry-like flavors.

The following wines highlight Pinot Noir’s brilliant red fruit and spice flavors: 2013 Melville “Estate” Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir (Santa Barbara, CA ~$30) 2014 R. Stuart & Co. “Love Oregon” Pinot Noir (Willamette, OR $28) 2014 Greywacke Pinot Noir (Marlborough, NZ ~$30) Beaujolais is the Francophiles #1 choice for Thanksgiving wines due to the perfectly timed arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau. This wine is made with 100% Gamay, which has a lot of similarities to Pinot Noir, except with way more bang-for-the-buck. It pairs exceptionally well with wild rice, salads, roasted squash, and cranberries. It balances Thanksgiving dinners that have a high sweetness factor (yams, etc.) with Bojo’s savory and earthy quality. Its lighter, less tannic style works well with white meat turkey. It turns out that 2016 was a tough year for Beaujolais, so I might steer away from Bojo Nouveau. That said, the Cru Beaujolais wines are incredible: 2015 Coudert “Cuvée Cristal” Fleurie (Cru Beaujolais ~$20)

2015 Château Thivin Côte de Brouilly (Cru Beaujolais ~$23) 2009 Savoye “Vieilles Vignes” Morgon Côte du Py (Cru Beaujolais ~$45 1.5L) This is the wine collector’s top pick for Thanksgiving because bottles are usually best served after aging (anywhere from 4–10 years). A GSM Blend contains Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre as its main ingredients. The bolder blending varieties of Mourvèdre and Syrah make this wine pair well with smoked turkey. The tertiary flavors of fig or dried berries from a properly aged GSM Blend match well with roasted squash and stuffing. The earthy and meaty quality of the wine accentuates the savory quality of turkey gravy. A few examples of Rhône Blends from all over the world include: 2013 Beckmen “Cuvée Le Bec” Santa Ynez Rhône Blend (Santa Barbara, CA ~$17) 2012 DeLille Cellars “Doyenne-Aix” Red Mountain (Columbia, WA ~$30) 2010 Xavier Vins “Cuvée Anonyme” Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Rhône Valley, FR ~$45) 16% ABV

Rosé or Blanc de Noirs Champagne This is a sommelier’s must-have wine for Thanksgiving because, for a somm, you can’t really start a meal without a splash of something sparkling wine. It’s a great choice for a pre-Thanksgiving aperitif. It’s bold enough to pair alongside dinner (for Champagne pairing with the main course). Its strawberry, white currant and white raspberry flavors accentuate the cranberry flavors in the dish. It acts as a palate cleanser to rich gravies and meats. A few examples that are both awesome and affordable: NV Hervy-Quenardel Rosé Grand Cru Verzenay (Montagne de Reims, Champagne ~$56) NV Huré Frères “Insouciance” Brut Rosé Ludes (Montagne de Reims, Champagne ~$53) NV Drappier Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature (Côte de Bar, Champagne ~$50) If you feature brussels sprouts or green beans prevalently in your meal, consider a lean, herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc as a highlight wine pairing. The 2015 vintage was exceptional in the Loire Valley and Sancerre is one of the international favorites of this region.

It pairs exceptionally well with green bean casserole, brussels sprouts, and roast asparagus. A few examples include: 2015 Thomas-Labaille “Les Monts Damnés” Sancerre Chavignol (Loire Valley, France ~$28) 2015 Patient Cottat “Anciennes Vignes” Sancerre (Loire Valley, France ~$24) 2015 Franck Millet “Insolite” Sancerre (Loire Valley, France ~$25) If you’re featuring ham as your main dish this year, the rich dried-cherry and chocolately wines of Valpolicella are amazing. Its redolent cherry flavors accentuate the sweetness of ham. Its moderate acidity acts as a palate cleanser, which is ideal for complementing rich meats and gravies. Its dried fruit aromas of fig and raisins add to the harvest taste palate. Of course, Amarone della Valpolicella is an expensive wine due to its production process. Here are the best values we could find: 2011 Zenato Amarone (Sant’Ambrogio in the Classico Zone ~$70) 16% ABV 2011 Tenuta Novare Amarone (Novare in the Classico Zone ~$45) 2nd label of Bertani.