White and Rose wines for Thanksgiving

If you’re seeking some bottles on the lighter side for your holiday meal, whites ranging from crisp to lush and roses from fresh to structured rise to the occasion.

Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner

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WHITE

Alma Rosa Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills. Most everything coming out of this reliable performer of a winery is something you want on your table all year ‘round. This Chard from the

El Jabali Vineyard is bright and pure of fruit, helped by a fresh maritime coastal influence, then aging in lees and wood gives it some finesse, pulling you back into the bottle, asking for more. Winemaker Samra Morris is the first Bosnian American winemaker in California and is a Wine Enthusiast 2025 nominee. for Winemaker of the Year. Taste this and the sister Pinot Noor and you’ll know why she’s getting accolades.

Brassfield Estate Winery, High Serenity Ranch Pinot Gris, California. A change up from the usual whites, though you’ll find familiar apple and pear tones. A little unusual, but doesn’t stray into wonky territory. Will play happily with roasty turkey bits.

Early Mountain Petit Manseng, Virginia. Lovely notes of hazelnut, oxidized yellow apple, savory undertone. Seductive nose of mature yellow orchard fruit and judiciously used wood barrel. Tarragon theme in the herbal layer. If I had an editor’s choice category, this would be in in.

Early Mountain Intention, Virginia. An unusual white blend of Petit Manseng and Sauvignon Blanc, inspired by white Bordeaux, I am guessing Pessac-Léognan based on its rich, layered and lush expression. Lemon curd, stone fruit, a bit of well-placed wood spice. High-toned and sophisticated.

Estival Sauvignon Blanc, Horse Heave Hills, Washington, Pungent at first opening, but them mellows into a happy, pleasant tropical-fruited wines. Medium bodied with a slippery mouthfeel rather than a green-citrusy pinch. Good with green sides.

Robert Mondavi Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley. Weighty and full bodied with a tropical fruit profile and a lees-y quality. Creamy, ripe stone fruit of nectarine, peach, apricot. For those who want a white to stay the (many) course(s).

Pali Wine Chenin Blanc, Sta. Rita Hills. An unusual entry in the CB category, but carries some of the typical markers of the Loire style: a little waxy and wooly, this medium bodied with a vivid lemon snap and savory underlay. Wants turkey!

ROSE

Dr. Konstantin Frank Dry Rosé of Blaufränkisch, Finger Lakes. This Austrian variety is the crossing of parent grapes Gamay and Zweigelt, and has found a home in the Finger Lakes with Dr. Konstantin Frank, a pioneer of working European grapes in the north. Find juicy cherry and red berries here—a nice splash of fresh to break up the weight of rich dishes, but also with enough structure to stand up to the heavy weights like candied yams and caramelized red cabbage. Also of note: Dry Rose of Saperavi, made from the Georgian grape.

Inman Family Pinot Gris Olivet Grange Vineyard, Russian River Valley. This is an intriguing wine that act like both a white and rose. Pinkish in color, it shows fleshy orchard fruits and some spice like its European cousins (northern Italy, Alsace) and maritime salinity. This is a good pairing with notoriously difficult vegetable dishes.

JUSTIN Rosé, Central Coast. A darker hue of pink with some bright salmon flecks. Light and fresh but with enough structure to be a good food partner. Sour cherry and red currant tones lend tartness that will play happily with cranberry on your turkey (or a turkey and cranberry sandwich the next day).

McCollum Heritage Rosé, Willamette Valley, a Pinot Noir based wine in partnership with Adelsheim, this is a fresh pop of stone fruit and strawberry and baby raspberries but also has a firm line of structure. Nicely balanced and pleasantly crisp. A great “plus one” to bring along.

Minus Tide Rosé of Carignan, Feliz Creek Vineyards, Mendocino. Deep red-fruit expression elevated by minty/menthol herbal undertow. Tart and fresh but with structure. Made from old vines. Goes with anything on the table, so don’t hold back.

Priest Ranch Rosé, Napa Valley. Estate grown, copper-penny pink and dry on the palate. The shy nose leads to a palate of crisp red apples, currants and sour cherry—all tart fun on the tongue when there’s a Thanksgiving party in your mouth.

Wölffer Estate “Grandioso” Rosé, Long Island. This is a reserve rose, aged sur lie that results in a nicely structured slightly creamy and thoroughly pleasant pour. Great for elegant apps, soft cheeses, any kind of smoky dish.