What wine to bring?

Our Thanksgiving wine selections span seriously playful bubbles, versatile whites, a full spectrum of reds, plus complex aperitifs and digestifs. Let your friends and family gathering be the reason to try something new. We promise we’ll steer you right.

Don’t miss our Thanksgiving focused wine tastings on the 20th in Portland and the 21st and 26th in Wells!

Serious Bubbles & Rosé

Sparkling wine isn’t just for New Year’s Eve—it’s the most versatile choice for the unpredictable, complex flavors of a holiday spread. Classic autumn foods pair well with both wines: creamy pumpkin and squash soups and mushroom dishes are best balanced by the high acidity of a dry Champagne. Conversely, braised meats and herb-seasoned squash are better suited for a fruit-forward, structured Rosé. For dessert, a sweet Demi-Sec Champagne is the ideal match for apple pies and crisps.

Schramsberg Rosé ($46.99):

A top-tier domestic brut rosé, ideal for toasts or pairing with salmon.

  • Santa Margherita Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore ($23.99): Reliable, approachable Italian fizz.
  • Pinon Vouvray Brut ($33.99): Chenin Blanc from the Loire, offering delicate, apple-like structure.
  • Clos Cibonne Cuvee Speciale des Vignettes Tibouren Rose ($55.99): A unique, complex rosé from Provence, suggested for Thanksgiving dinner.
  • Lunaria Ancestrale Pet Nat Rose Organic ($19.99): Biodynamic, minimal-sulfur, offering an earthy, rustic appeal.
  • Le Pas Saint Martin Sous le Tilleul Grolleau Noir: Light Red Sparkling.
  • Champagne Aubry ($63.99): A highly regarded, classic French Champagne

 

Whites Light to Rich

The autumn table demands versatile white wines. Dry Riesling, with its piercing acidity and minerality, is perfect for cutting through the richness of turkey, vegetable sides, or delicate seafood. Off-Dry Riesling pairs wonderfully with maple-glazed vegetables or slightly spicy squash soups. For textural complexity, Skin-Contact Wine offers savory notes and grip, standing up excellently to wild mushroom risotto and aged cheeses. Weightier Chardonnay complements creamy comfort foods like cauliflower gratin or herb-roasted chicken. Finally, the highly acidic Hungarian Dry Tokaji Furmint, with its mineral backbone and flavors of pear and lime, excels with herb-crusted poultry and strongly seasoned dishes. These wines range from those that boast high acidity and mineral notes—perfect with turkey, vegetable sides, or delicate seafood—to more formidable wines that round out the palate with a bit more weight and depth, excellent for risotto or roasted squash.

Delicate & Delightful

These high-acid white wines are perfect for autumn: Dry Rieslings and Tokaji Furmint are best for turkey, poultry, and seafood. Grüner Veltliner pairs well with green vegetables and herbs, while Lugana suits creamy risotto and hard cheeses. The Off-Dry Riesling is the go-to for sweet-and-sour sides like cranberry sauce.

J&P Brundlmayer Grüner Veltliner ($20.99):

Great value, versatile, with white pepper notes.

  • Gobelsburg Kamptal Riesling Austria ($21.99): A classic, dry Riesling recommended for the Thanksgiving table.
  • Azienda Agricola Ca dei Frati ‘I Frati’ Lugana ($23.99): Crisp and mineral-driven, offering notes of almond and citrus.
  • Domaine Kiralyudvar Tokaji Furmint Sec Hungary ($26.99): A complex, mineral-driven dry wine defined by the Furmint grape’s high natural acidity, characteristic of the famous Tokaji region.
  • Von Winning Winnings ($21.99): Off-dry Riesling.
  • Donnhoff Dry Riesling ($26.99): Dry Riesling from Germany.

Saint Cosme Condrieu ($77.99):

Château de Saint Cosme, led by Louis Barruol, is the benchmark, biodynamic Gigondas estate that also produces the classic Saint Cosme Condrieu.

Rich, Round & Deep

  • Natura Organic Vegan Chardonnay Chile ($12.99): Organic, vegan Chardonnay from Chile.
  • Grape Abduction Skin Contact White ($17.99): Orange Wine.
  • Bread & Butter ($12.49): Formidible oaked California Chardonnay.

 

A Spectrum of Reds

Light reds offer bright fruit and moderate tannin, which won’t clash with the variety of flavors, herbs, and textures on the holiday plate. Earthy Pinot Noir and elegant Italian selections wines offer complexity without being overpowering. Our bold Syrah, Zinfandel and Cabernet picks are built for warmth and structure, these wines pair beautifully with braised meats, stews, and heavy fare.

Relaxed Reds

This superb lineup of Beaujolais (Gamay) is ideal for the lighter Thanksgiving table due to its high acidity and low tannins. Wines like Lapierre Raisins Gaulois and Dupeuble pair seamlessly with mashed potatoes, mushroom stuffing, and green bean casserole. The refreshing fruit and spice notes complement the earthy sweetness of roasted root vegetables and even handle the tricky profile of cranberry sauce, with the more structured Brouilly and Morgon wines bridging the gap to turkey breast.

Turley Wine Cellars Cedarman Cuvee ($47.99):

We enjoy all three Turley Zinfandels, but the powerful, dark-fruited, and richly structured single-vineyard Cedarman is our top pick; it stands apart from the fruit-driven young-vine blend of Juvenile and the savory, mineral-driven single-vineyard Presenti.

  • Georges Descombes Brouilly Beaujolais ($30.99): Vibrant, floral cru Gamay.
  • Lapierre Morgon ($41.99): Powerful, benchmark Gamay with deep fruit.
  • Kermit Lynch Imports Dupeuble Beaujolais ($19.99): Fresh, classic bistro style Gamay.
  • Lapierre Raisins Gaulois ($25.99): A joyous, light, highly quaffable wine.
  • Domaine Foillard Beaujolais-Villages ($25.99): Pure, mineral-driven and aromatic.

Rich Round & Deep

This selection offers diverse autumn pairings: The rich Bartlett Oaked Blueberry Wine is perfect for chocolate or strong cheese. The elegant Pinot Noirs (Illahe, Failla) are ideal for roast turkey and mushroom stuffing. The Italian reds—bright Rosso di Montalcino and juicy Dolcetto—suit pasta or pizza, while the savory Grignolino pairs well with light poultry and vegetable stews.

  • Bartlett Oaked Blueberry Wine ($27.99): Thought by many to be the best blueberry wine in the world. Made with 100% Maine blueberries. (Note: this is not Italian or a Pinot Noir)
  • Illahe Willamette Valley Pinot Noir ($30.99): Classic Oregon Pinot Noir that’s perfect with turkey.
  • Failla Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ($39.99): A complex Pinot Noir offering wild strawberry, clove spice, and earthy forest floor.
  • Ciacci Piccolomini Rosso di Montalcino ($28.99): Bright, easy-drinking Sangiovese; Montalcino’s versatile younger sibling.
  • E Pira e Figli Dolcetto D’Alba ($30.99): Juicy, low-tannin Italian red, excellent for everyday pairing.
  • La Miraja Grignolino d’Asti ($21.99): This pale-colored red from Northern Italy has earthy, savory notes mixed with tart red fruits and a grippy texture

Full-Bodied & Winter Reds

These two reds are ideal for roasts because they provide necessary balance: The Texier Brézème Syrah offers savory pepper and earthy grip that perfectly matches the herbs and crust of any rich roast, using its acidity to cut through fat. The Cakebread Bezel Cabernet Sauvignon brings bold tannins and concentrated dark fruit, providing the structure and weight needed for richly flavored, heavy red meats like roast beef or dark meat turkey legs.

  • Texier Brézème ($29.99): A concentrated, peppery Syrah with earthy grip.
  • Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Juvenile ($25.99): Classic Zinfandel blending multiple sites for rich, immediate fruit.
  • Cakebread Bezel Cabernet Sauvignon ($25.99): Bold, fruit-forward Cabernet with dark plum and spice.

Little Treats

We all deserve a lil treat. Start with a lil apéritif treat before you start snacking; this is a light, typically dry alcoholic beverage served before the meal to stimulate the appetite. Settle your stuffed stomach with a lil digestif treat; this is a stronger, often sweet spirit served after the meal to aid digestion. Don’t skip dessert! How nice does a lil glass of Tawny Port by a warm fireplace sound? Port is a sweet, fortified wine from Portugal, with the Tawny style being barrel-aged to develop rich, complex notes of nuts and caramel.

Aperitif & Digestives

Handshake Digestif ($3.99/50 mL): Maine-made and globally inspired, offers a complex flavor profile: a sensory blend of aromatic lemongrass and vibrant hibiscus, layered with the deep, herbal notes of Italian digestivos and the spice of Persian tea, perfectly formulated to aid digestion. Also available in 500 mL option.

  • Cocchi Barolo Chinato ($50.99): Ideal for post-dinner sips.
  • Bianco Superiore ($64.99): High-quality bianco vermouth for cocktails or on the rocks.
  • Lustau Vermut Blanco ($23.99).
  • Underberg Digestif ($2.49).

Fortified/Dessert

  • Warre’s Otima 20 year Tawny Port ($44.99): Complex, nutty, and essential for blue cheese or chocolate desserts.

  • Henriques & Henriques Madeira Seco Especial Tinta 5 year ($24.99): A dry fortified wine from Portugal.

  • Saveiro Madeira 5yr ‘Castanea’ ($28.99).

 

Happy Thanksgiving

As you finalize your menu, focus on the joy of discovery. The greatest fun lies in trying something new—whether it’s the mineral depth of a Dry Riesling, the bright fruit of a Beaujolais, or the savory earthiness of a Grüner Veltliner—and sharing those novel tasting experiences with friends and family. Every bottle becomes a part of the memory. This holiday, embrace the adventure, perhaps toasting your new favorite wine after a refreshing walk in Cape Elizabeth or a trip through Kennebunkport, and leave your guests with full stomachs and the gift of a new favorite wine.