- Total Wine’s lead buyer picks four red wines under $25 perfect for Thanksgiving or any holiday dinner.
- Favorites include boxed Ropiteau Pinot Noir and berry-rich D’Autrefois Pinot Noir for crowd-pleasing pours.
- Edouard Delaunay Bourgogne and Cortese Nostru Frappato impress with earthy and strawberry-forward flavors.
If you’re looking to impress your guests this holiday season, choosing from this curated list of red wines will do the trick. Total Wine & More’s lead buyer Brian Gelb is the company’s senior vice president of wine (my dream job title), and he hand-picked these four wines to be the gorgeous centerpiece of your holiday dinner spread.
While selected with Thanksgiving in mind, we think that these wines would also be amazing with Christmas dinner, at New Year’s Eve celebrations or for any other gathering you have planned this winter holiday season. The best part? All of these wines range from $14.99 to $24.99, so they won’t break the bank ahead of Black Friday shopping.
Ropiteau Pinot Noir
Courtesy of Brand.
Yep, a boxed wine is first on the list. This 3-liter Ropiteau Pinot Noir is ideal for large parties, especially if you’re hosting Friendsgiving this weekend. At $22.99, you’re getting a smooth, cherry-forward bang for your buck for about 20 glasses of red. Pair with a delicious charcuterie board or with your typical fixings, starting with our Herb-Roasted Turkey.
D’Autrefois Pinot Noir
Courtesy of Brand.
If you’re hosting for the first time this season, Gelb recommends starting with this D’Autrefois Pinot Noir, a tried-and-true favorite. This red’s berry notes are complemented by a hint of vanilla and spices, making it a semi-sweet choice that even wine haters can respect. Great with a roast turkey or chicken, this $14.99 wine is as gorgeous as its bottle—I tried all of the wines in this lineup, and this pinot is my personal favorite!
Edouard Delaunay Bourgogne Septembre Rouge Pinot Noir
Courtesy of Brand.
At $24.99, this Edouard Delaunay Bourgogne Septembre Rouge Pinot Noir is the priciest of the list while remaining budget-friendly for a holiday pick. It has more of an earthy taste, so it may be for an acquired palate. But if you have wine connoisseurs in your family, this one is Gelb’s top pick for you to help impress due to its unique flavor.
Cortese Nostru Frappato IGP
Courtesy of Brand.
Finally, if you want to spruce up your leftovers, try this Cortese Nostru Frappato IGP per Gelb’s recommendation. This Italian wine has notes of wild strawberries, and for $16.99, you can elevate round two of your holiday meal with this medium-bodied red.
