Instead of seeking the perfect wine and food pairings for your Thanksgiving feast, why not focus on bright, well-crafted wines that taste great with everything? Uncork, tote to a restaurant, or gift your host one of these smart bottles – and we’ve included a Southern recipe, too – that will make your entire group thankful.

Arista Winery

This boutique winery estate located in California’s Russian River Valley is a site-specific producer of chardonnay and pinot noir owned by Texas-born brothers Mark and Ben McWilliams. Winemaker Matt Courtney’s tenth harvest focusing on organic grape growing and low intervention winemaking celebrates a 2021 Russian River chardonnay and 2022 Russian

River pinot noir. The McWilliams matriarch offers her special recipe, “Janis McWilliams’ Thanksgiving Southern Sweet Potatoes,” a bite of bliss with the Arista Russian River Valley

Chardonnay. Wines can be purchased online here. (starting at about $70).

Beaulieu Vineyard

This 2021 Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon will impress your loved ones with its richness and versatility. Anticipate a soft bouquet with aromas of red currant, raspberry, Bing cherry, and cassis alongside mulled wine spice notes. More roasted turkey with pepper gravy, please! (about $40).

Benovia Winery

For a fine wine that gives back, Benovia crafts both Good Press Pinot Noir and Liberation Pinot Noir. Good Press supports sustainable journalism by helping to fund journalism scholarships. A portion of the sales from Liberation is donated to the Navy SEAL Foundation and the Gary Sinise Foundation, which support veterans and their families. ($49; $60).

Brennan Vineyards

The fragrant, silky and exotically fruity Texas High Plains 2022 viognier should have a reservation at your Thanksgiving table to sip with snacks, mains, and dessert – hopefully ending with pecan pie! (about $32)

Chateau St Jean

After all-day dining, getting thirsty for that middle ground wine that is both palate refreshing and savory? Texans never stop uncorking rosé even though the weather gets cooler, and this crisp, dry, 2022 Petaluma Gap rosé of pinot noir Sonoma County, always impresses. Think strawberry, lavender, lime, and Ruby red grapefruit with a mineral finish – and a screw top to boot (about $30).

Flora Springs Napa Valley

Everyone has red wine connoisseurs in their group, and Trilogy 2021 red blend will elevate any meal. The sleek blend of cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot, and malbec grapes are kissed with mint and eucalyptus, while concentrated fruit flavors are beautifully balanced with supporting tannins (about $100).

Grounded Wine Co.

No reason to spend a fortune on wine or struggle with cork screws at your Thanksgiving event. Grounded Wine Co. sells much of its high-quality portfolio in Target stores. Its California sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon, and Space Age rosé by winemaker Josh Phelps will arm you for any surprise taste preferences (starting at about $15).

Pedernales Cellars

So many unique varietals produced at this Texas winery to try, so little time! The 2022 Texas High Plains trebbiano is much like chenin blanc: lovely and crisp with lemon, lime, buttered toast notes and a creamy finish. And the 2020 Texas High Plains grenache and tempranillo reserve are two popular reds every Texan should serve with the Thanksgiving spread ($30-$50).

Stags’ Leap

Here’s a crisp yet full-bodied 2022 Napa Valley sauvignon blanc bursting with flavors of peach and lychee and hints of apples and zesty lemons. Its layers of creamy brioche and white pepper make it an elegant choice for fall seasonal favorites like roasted Brussel sprouts topped with lemon sauce (about $35). Psst: the Black Friday sale has begun, so stock up on other varietals, too.

Wente Vineyards

There’s nothing quite like sharing a bottle of wine with friends and family by the fire over the holidays (Texans always pray for cold fronts!). From a women-led winery with over 140 years of winemaking excellence in California’s Livermore Valley, consider the affordable 2021 Baily Hill Pinot Noir. This on-point pinot noir offers ripe cherry, raspberry, and subtle spice aromas. Optionally, 2021 Mount Diablo Highlands Red Blend is expertly balanced with dark fruit, cassis, and mocha notes (both about $20).

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Cover photo courtesy Unsplash

Robin Barr Sussman ([email protected]) is a freelance culinary and travel writer who studied at the Culinary Institute of America Greystone, Calif. As a chef for Sonoma County wineries, her specialty was food and wine pairing. Sussman is a columnist for Houston Modern Luxury Magazine, Prime Living, and Houston House & Home. Her work appears in Texas Monthly, Fodor’s, and Private Clubs Magazine.