If you’re like most Americans, you’re probably knee deep in Thanksgiving preparations and going on those last-minute grocery shopping trips for the one or five things you keep forgetting to pick up. Next to the turkey and its fixings, the wine you’re going to serve Thursday night might be high up on your shopping list. Regardless of how large the crowd coming over for dinner is, chances are good you’re going to have to have to contend with varying tastes in wine. Some people are red loyalists, regardless of season, others prefer their whites because they simply cannot imagine having a red with turkey. So, how do you keep the peace and still serve wine that both satisfies your guests and pairs well with the most popular dishes being served on Thanksgiving tables all across the country?

There are several reasons to consider pairing Portuguese wines with traditional American meals, the biggest and most glaring one being that Portuguese wines tend to be fresher and higher in acidity than their California counterparts, so they’re easier to pair with food. Here are a couple of options that you should consider having on your table come Thursday:

Periquita from the Setúbal Peninsula.

This red is fruity with blackberries, raspberries, and ripe strawberries tones. It has spent some time in wood, which give it a little richness and vanilla qualities, but its freshness and acidity makes it a great wine to pair with almost anything. The red fruit notes in Periquita pair well with your cranberry dishes and bring them to life. You have a cheese casserole, a roast, or perhaps a turkey that might be a little gamy? This is your wine. Your uncle or dad prefer a red with some tannins to hold up to meatier dishes? Yep, right here.

Monte da Ravasqueira Reserva Red from the Alentejo.

Wines from this region tend to be a little more fruit forward, so they’re more in line with what you might find in a California wine. This Monte da Ravasqueira Reserva Red has a deeper color and notes of black fruit and spice. The tannins are fine and smooth, but quite present. Chocolate and mineral notes are integrated with notes of oak barrels and earthy florals. This is a perfect partner for roasted spiced potatoes, stuffing, and rich sauces.

Quintas de Melgaço Albarinho.

We couldn’t leave the table without bringing Vinho Verde to the mix. This is a fragrant, ripe and rich wine packed with intense aromas of peach and green apple. Its fresh fruit palate and crisp acidity liven up a traditional turkey plate and herb infused stuffing.

After party

While these three wines can take center stage at the main dinner event, we shouldn’t forget the after party and dessert. Port wine, one of the oldest and most widely available of Portuguese wines, makes a great pairing to rich and succulent desserts that will be found aplenty during the holidays. Tawny Ports, for example, are rich, golden, with nutty character and spiced toffee aromatics, lends itself as a perfect partner to desserts like pecan or apple pie. They’re also wonderfully delicious with more savory fares like smoked cheddar and aged Manchego.  Ruby Ports, on the other hand, are a more simple and fruity dessert wine with youthful character. With a medley of ripe red and black berry flavors, Ruby Ports pair well with tart cherry pies and chocolate truffles. Both simple, both delicious.

This Thanksgiving, venture outside of the usual wine isle and explore something new. All the wines mentioned here are not only delicious, but also very budget friendly. Go ahead… give them a try!