You have likely planned every detail of your Thanksgiving dinner by now, but you may still be wondering what to pair with your turkey, dressing, and cranberry sauce. If that is the case, we are here to help with a selection of red wines ideal for pairing with your holiday meal. #Cheers

Pinot Noir is the ideal wine for Thanksgiving, with the right balance of bright acidity and tannin to cut through the rich, hearty meal without overpowering or weighing down the palate. UNANIME Pinot Noir from Mascota Vineyards in Mendoza, Argentina, grows in the foothills of the Andes Mountains, with high elevations ensuring the grapes hold bright acidity throughout the growing season. The wine ages for 12 months in French oak, adding texture and spiciness to the blue and black fruit-filled wine. UNANIME  comes from the Latin word Unanimis, referring to a group of people of like minds and opinions being in complete harmony. Let’s hope that is the situation around your holiday table this year.

From elevations exceeding 6800 feet above sea level, The Ordinary Fellow Hawks Nest Vineyard Pinot Noir is an elegant, delicious expression of a well-made wine from Colorado. With a nice balance of acidity, subtle tannin, and ripe fruit flavors, the approachable wine is an easy-to-enjoy option from the emerging wine state. It is not the most complex Pinot Noir offering we have had. However, when Gary and I tasted it, we both remarked that the lovely, balanced wine was ideal for enjoying any night of the week.

We love the wines from Italy’s Alto Adige region in the northeastern corner of the country. The area is nestled in the foothills of the Italian Alps near the Dolomite Mountains, where high-elevation vineyards create wines with energy and freshness. The white wines from the region typically get most of our attention, as they deliver fruit-filled palates balanced with racy acidity. The region is also known for luscious light to medium-bodied red wines made from varieties like Schiava, Pinot Noir (or as it is locally known, Pinot Nero), and Lagrein.

Alois Lageder Schiava is a light-bodied, highly approachable red wine produced from organically grown fruit. With a low alcohol of only 11.5%, the dry red is perfect for enjoying throughout the day of feasting, as its light character will not weigh down the palate. The Schiava’s flavors are reminiscent of wild strawberries, raspberries, and rose, with juicy, fresh acidity and low tannin, pairing perfectly with the rich, flavorful Thanksgiving dishes.

Established over 100 years ago, Kellerei-Cantina Kurtastsch sustainably farms and hand harvests its fruit from vineyards sitting at 660-2700 feet above sea level. A cooperative winery made up of 190 small family vintners, the winery’s GLEN Pinot Nero Riserva comes from cool vineyards in the community of Montan, sitting at elevations of roughly 1300 – 2100 feet above sea level. The elegant, expressive wine has a medium body with a rich, well-rounded, earthy flavor profile with balanced tannin and juicy, fresh acidity. The wine ages in barrel for 12 months, allowing the tannin to soften while enhancing the subtle spiciness of the red berry, black cherry, and dried herb-filled wine.

The wines of Armenia may not be the most familiar to you. However, the country boasts some of the oldest vineyards in the world, with a history of growing that dates back thousands of years. Voskevaz Karasi Collection Areni Noir is one of the country’s native grape varieties that has a similar profile to an international Pinot Noir. The grapevines average over 130 years old and sit at elevations of over 3000 feet above sea level, creating a concentrated, well-structured character with bright acidity and beautiful texture. The Karasi Collection wines are fermented in clay Karas, ancient earthenware egg-shaped pots that have been used in the region for centuries before aging in oak barrels. The combination of both, along with the influence of the terroir, creates a luscious wine with juicy red berries, red cherries, and ripe plum flavors, perfect for pairing with the holiday meal.

Though we don’t recommend high alcohol, heavily tannic wines to pair with the Thanksgiving meal. However, suppose you prefer something with a bit more oomph. In that case, a Rhone-style blend or wine made from traditional Rhone varieties is a good option, especially if you are having a holiday ham along with your Thanksgiving turkey. Epoch Estate has emerged as one of the premier producers of quality Rhone-style wines from Paso Robles. Epoch Authenticity showcases Syrah from the winery’s estate Paderewski and York Mountain Vineyards for a bold, spicy, expressive red wine with a sleek, well-rounded character. The wine is fruit-forward and savory, with notes of tobacco, graphite, and earth melding with black and blue fruits, fresh wildflowers, and spice.

From Sonoma’s Moon Mountain District, Theorem Vineyards Syrah highlights the natural gifts from Mother Nature the region enjoys as the high-elevation vineyards move from hot, sunshine-filled days to cool evenings with breezes blowing through from the Pacific Ocean and San Pablo Bay to create a large swing in temperatures throughout the growing season. These swings ensure delicate grapes are able to fully ripen while maintaining necessary freshness and acidity, creating balanced, elegant wines. Theorem Syrah opens with notes of wild berry, rhubarb, and plum, with woody herb, toasted spice, and savory black pepper.