Italian Wines to Pair with Your Thanksgiving Meal
Lets be real, Thanksgiving brings together people who might only dine together three-four times a year max. Trying to please the palates of wine lovers and casual sippers alike is not any easy task! Whether you’re hosting or guesting here are a few of my favorite Italian wine pairings to carry you through the Thanksgiving feast — from aperitivo to dessert. These wines work beautifully with the classic American spread and highlight the flavors we all love this time of year and should also be easy finds in your local wine shop.
Riesling
If you want a white wine that does a bit of everything, Riesling is your friend. It has the acidity to cut through rich, fatty sides like Gouda mac ’n’ cheese, balances sweet-savory appetizers like bacon-wrapped dates, and absolutely shines with crispy turkey skin.
Prefer something slightly sweeter? Go off-dry — it still has the acidity to lift dishes like cranberry sauce.
Where to find it:
Northern Italy makes fantastic Riesling, especially in Piemonte, Lombardia, Veneto, Friuli and Trentino-Alto Adige. But if your local shop carries options from upstate New York, grab them! I always pick up a few bottles when I’m visiting home.
Chardonnay
Most people don’t associate Chardonnay with Italy — but they should!
You’ll find gorgeous expressions across northern and central regions such as Umbria (home to the iconic chardonnay blend Cervaro della Sala by Antinori).
Unoaked or lightly oaked Chardonnay → Fresh, vibrant, and versatile enough to carry you through the entire Thanksgiving meal.
Rich, oaked, and aged styles → Ideal for roasted flavors and heartier dishes.
Italy truly offers something for every Chardonnay lover.
Negroamaro
If your table leans hearty, Negroamaro is a fantastic match. This Puglian grape offers ripe fruit, warmth, and body — without overwhelming tannins. This grape leads with flavors of ripe plum, baked raspberries, and spice cabinet notes, like anise, allspice, and cinnamon.
Great with sausage stuffing,
Herb-driven vegetables,
or a richer, more indulgent plate.
Negroamaro makes great value wines, from IGTs to Salice Salentino DOC. Another wine from Puglia to look out for is Primitivo di Manduria DOCG if you want more depth but similar soft tannin. Both are super food friendly and approachable making them crowd pleasers.
Cannonau (Grenache from Sardinia)
Cannonau is one of my favorite Thanksgiving reds: medium to full-bodied, beautifully aromatic, and incredibly food-friendly. Expect:
Red to dark berry flavors depending on vintage and ageing
herbal notes
floral touches
sometimes smoky or tobacco hints — perfect with roasted turkey
Cannonau also bridges lighter and heavier dishes, working across the entire table.
Pinot Noir
A classic Thanksgiving pairing — and yes, Italy makes some beautiful examples!
Italian Pinot Noir (Pinot Nero) can be found in:
Lombardia
Valle d’Aosta
Trentino-Alto Adige
Piemonte
…and even Tuscany.
Light-bodied, bright-fruited, and ideal for turkey + cranberry sauce.
If you can’t find an Italian version, Oregon Pinot Noir is a great fallback (and again, one of the few American wines I stock up on when I’m state-side).
Sparkling Wine
Start the meal with bubbles — or pair it with fried turkey, richer dishes, or anything that needs a lift.
Franciacorta (Italy’s answer to Champagne)
Metodo Classico wines from around Italy (example above of a Champagne style wine made from Verdicchio grapes in the Marche region)
Rosé versions are especially interesting with Thanksgiving flavors.
Just look for “Metodo Classico” on the label if you want that Champagne-style complexity.
Dessert Wines
For pies, spice-filled desserts, or nutty baked goods, look to:
Vin Santo DOC from Tuscany and personally my favorite
Passito wines, from Veneto to Sicily
They bring sweetness + complexity that stand up to pumpkin spice, pecans, and apple everything.
For lighter or cream-based desserts, switch to a chilled Moscato d’Asti — refreshing, aromatic, and lightly sparkling.
Final Pour
Italian wines bring incredible versatility and character to the Thanksgiving table and can be absolutely be crowd pleasers. Whether you're cooking, hosting, or simply bringing a bottle, you can’t go wrong with any of these choices.
If you want personalized holiday wine tips — or you're planning a trip to Florence — I’d love to help you discover Italian wine through a private tasting. Contact me here.
