If you're looking for the perfect wine to complement your Thanksgiving feast, know that it doesn't need to be an expensive bottle to pair perfectly with turkey and all its delicious sides.
You can easily score a fabulous varietal that will wow your guests or dinner host while staying neatly within the confines of your budget. We asked some experts for the best wine picks under $25 to serve or bring your host this Thanksgiving. We got so many great tips, and here are our top 10 picks.
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Gnarly Head Red Old Vine Zinfandel
Laurie Forster, aka The Wine Coach, suggests picking up a bottle of Gnarly Head Red Old Vine Zinfandel ($11.99, gnarlyhead.com). "A red blend made from Zinfandel, Syrah, Merlot, and Malbec, this wine has notes of red fruits, including cherry, raspberry and a hint of spice. The fruitiness of the wine makes it a great pairing for all of the spices on the Thanksgiving table," she says.
Honig Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley
Your meal might be heavy, but this Honig Sauvignon Blanc ($17, honigwine.com) is light and refreshing. "This wine has light, fresh, crisp, and herbaceous notes with delicate mineral back bone that enhances roasted vegetable dishes well, and is perfect served with any of those classic roasted root vegetable dishes families often serve for Thanksgiving," says Bernard Erpicum, Sommelier, Public House in Las Vegas.
Apothic Dark
If a deep, robust red is what you crave, you really can't go wrong with Apothic Dark ($14, apothic.com). With its dark fruity flavors and hints of coffee and dark chocolate, it's as decadent as your holiday meal.
2014 SIMI Sonoma County Chardonnay
With its toasty oak notes and zesty finish, SIMI Sonoma County Chardonnay ($18, simiwinery.com) is a fabulous, versatile and affordable choice for the biggest meal of the year — and it goes great with butternut squash soup!
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Iron Side Cellars Red
"It's always nice to choose familiar wines to go with your feast, but let's not lose our sense of adventure," says Brett Vankoski, co-founder of 90+ Cellars. One of his favorites is the Iron Side Red Blend ($15.99, ninetypluscellars.com).
2014 Dreaming Tree Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is considered a "universal grape" so it pairs well with all types of foods. The Dreaming Tree's 2014 Pinot Noir ($15, dreamingtreewines.com) has notes of black cherry, wild strawberry, and toasted caramel making it, well, dreamy.
2014 De Wetshof Limestone Hill Chardonnay
For a beautiful white wine, Bill Netherland, Sommelier and Wine Director of Hospitality Management Group in Charleston, SC offers up DeWetshof "Limestone Hill" Robertson Valley Chardonnay ($16, globalwinecellars.com).
Sea Stack Tri-County Pinot Noir
Bob Paulinski, Senior VP and Master of Wine for BevMo!, says, "First, choose a wine that best goes with the main course, then go with something that is versatile." He recommends Sea Stack Tri-County Pinot Noir ($21.99, bevmo.com).
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Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut
What's a festive occasion without some bubbles? The price is right with Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut ($12.99, bevmo.com), a gorgeous cava known as the "Black Bottle Bubbly."
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2014 Dry Riesling
It may be Thanksgiving, but we don't only need to talk turkey. Gina Fisher, Manager and Sommelier from Vin De Syrah in San Diego suggests bringing the Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling ($10, st-michelle.com) to Thanksgiving dinner for a great dessert wine. The high amounts of residual sugar makes this a good pairing for desserts, and the wine can be found at almost any American grocery store.
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