Now that the clocks are set back to their proper times and nature begins to show her beautiful color change, we turn our attentions to what I refer to as “the eating holidays.” Between now and the first week of January, most of us will pack the pounds on like a country ham headed to slaughter. So, as you don your eating pants and shovel the season fare into your proverbial pie holes, allow me to suggest a few beverage selections to accompany said food orgy.

The upcoming patriotic ethnocentric feast is that of Thanksgiving; the holiday that has many traditions but not hard and fast written dogma of accepted behavior. The gathering can be anywhere from an outside patio with good friends to a formal “good China” sit down with those estranged members from the other side of the family.

Just as that uncle hunts for the gizzards while your cousin threatens to single-handedly demolish the entire sweet potato casserole, wine preferences at the Thanksgiving table span the full spectrum of human taste. We can silently judge life choices, raise an eyebrow at questionable attire, or maybe even question the cranberry sauce from a can that retains the shape of its container. With wine preferences, however, we should practice radical acceptance.

Utilizing the evolution of diversity seen with Pacific Northwest wine as our inspiration, finding a selection for all your guests’ preferences becomes that much easier. Oregon and Washington now produce everything from delicate bubbles to structured reds, offering the same range of “interesting” personalities you’ll find around your Thanksgiving table. The solution is simple: stop trying to find the “perfect” Thanksgiving wine and start offering options that welcome everyone’s taste.

For those who prefer a touch of sweetness…

reach for a demi-sec sparkling wine. Not everyone enjoys bone-dry wines, and there’s no shame in that game. A Chardonnay-based sparkler from Washington’s Columbia Valley with just enough residual sugar delivers celebratory bubbles without that acidic mouth-puckering bite. It’s approachable, festive, and works beautifully with everything from appetizers to that deliciously sweet cornbread someone inevitably brings.

For the crisp, clean, no-frills crowd…

Oregon Pinot Gris elevates this grape variety, showing evident orchard fruit while maintaining its signature firm acidity. Bright citrus and tangerine character meet the kind of structured backbone that white wine enthusiasts genuinely relish. Dry and refreshing, it cuts through rich foods and resets the palate between bites. This is for your discerning white wine drinker who appreciates both elegance and substance.

For those wanting more body and texture in a white…

a Grenache Blanc blend from Washington’s Yakima Valley offers that Rhône-style charm. Think of it as a white wine with more texture, body and layered complexity. This broad-shouldered wine is sophisticated enough to sip and appreciate on its own while standing up to turkey and any of the fixings that happen to drop on your plate. This is also a “go-to” for the stubborn red-only drinker. Coax them to try this white and watch their perspective shift.

For the fruity, bright and pretty wine drinkers…

rosé bridges the gap beautifully. Made from Pinot Noir in Oregon’s Chehalem Mountains, it delivers red fruit character without tannins and versatility without compromise on taste or aesthetics. Some guests just aren’t committed to red or white, and rosé welcomes them with open arms. It’s vibrant and juicy with a verve that brings life to the table, pairing with literally everything while looking beautiful in the glass. The diplomatic choice for the undecided.

For the earthy, elegant red wine enthusiasts…

Oregon Pinot Noir remains the gold standard. These wines offer forest floor, wet leaves, dark and red fruit with fine-grained tannins and firm acidity. They’re contemplative without being heavy, and sophisticated without being pretentious. For those who appreciate nuance and complexity in their reds, Pinot Noir from appellations like Eola-Amity Hills or Yamhill-Carlton delivers exactly what they’re seeking.

For those wanting structure and boldness…

Oregon Dolcetto proves the Pacific Northwest continues to evolve beyond Pinot Noir. This Italian variety thrives in Oregon’s Eola-Amity Hills, offering dark fruit, herbs, and crunchy acidity that rivals cranberry sauce itself. Consider this your elegant but sturdy red option for guests who want something adventurous. I recommend serving this instead of cranberry sauce as it brings just as much acidity and a hell of a lot more tolerance for your relatives.

The beauty of Thanksgiving is that nobody agreed on anything to begin with: the menu, the guest list, or whether cranberry sauce (canned or otherwise) is acceptable. The wine you serve should be no different. Stock your table with options that welcome every preference, from the sweet-seekers to the tannin-lovers, and let everyone find their own path to grateful survival. After all, you’re feeding a diverse crowd with diverse tastes, and the Pacific Northwest has evolved to match that beautifully. Pour generously, judge silently, and remember, the only wrong wine choice is none at all.

Suggested Wines:

Tirriddis M.V. Demi-Sec Blanc de Blanc Rendition No. 3, Columbia Valley ($33)

94% Chardonnay with hints of Albariño, Riesling, and Pinot Gris. Notes of candied citrus peel, honeycomb, and baked pear with 25 g/L dosage. For those who prefer a touch of sweetness without the acidic bite.

Alexana Hillsides Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, Oregon ($30)

Bright orchard fruit and citrus blossom on the nose, dry with citric acidity and tangerine notes, medium-plus body showing Oregon’s elevation of this variety. For the crisp, clean white wine drinker who appreciates structure and elegance.

Two Vintners Grenache Blanc, Yakima Valley, Washington ($25)

Grenache Blanc (92%) with Roussanne, Picpoul, and Marsanne from Boushey and Olsen Vineyards. Rhône-style texture and body. 625 cases produced. For those wanting a fuller, more textured white and your conversion wine for the red-only drinker.

McCollum Heritage 91 Rosé, Chehalem Mountains, Oregon ($33)

100% Pinot Noir from LIVE certified estate vineyards. Red fruit aromas of pomegranate, watermelon, strawberry with tangerine peel and tarragon. Vibrant and juicy. For the fruity, bright wine lover who isn’t committed to red or white.

Van Duzer Pinot Noir Bieze Vineyard, Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon ($70)

Forest floor, wet leaves, black and red fruit with fine-grained tannins and firm acidity. Block collection showcasing terroir and Oregon’s Pinot Noir mastery. For the earthy, elegant red wine enthusiast who appreciates nuance.

Abbott Claim Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton, Oregon ($85)

Native yeast fermentation, 30% whole cluster, 18 months in French oak. Contemplative and sophisticated with nuances of red currant, raspberry, Autumn leaf pile, cedar and a haunting floral note. 336 cases produced. For those seeking complexity and depth in their Oregon Pinot Noir.

Remy Dolcetto Jubilee Collection, Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon ($40)

Dark and red fruit, herbs, baking spice with crunchy cranberry-like acidity. Long, complex finish. Oregon’s evolution beyond Pinot Noir. For those wanting a bold wine wrapped in elegance. Serve instead of cranberry sauce for more tolerance.