Thanksgiving is a day made for connection — for long tables, shared stories, roasted comfort foods, and the kind of laughter that fills a room. In Portugal, we call this spirit convivio — the joy of gathering. And nothing embodies convivio quite like Portuguese wine: sustainably grown, hand-harvested, family-made wines full of character, warmth, and heritage.

This year, bring Portugal to your Thanksgiving table with four extraordinary bottles from Diniz Cellars, each one crafted by small family wineries committed to minimal intervention, organic farming, and honest winemaking.

Whether your table leans classic, plant-forward, rustic, or gourmet, these Portuguese wines pair beautifully with the flavors of the holiday.

🍽️ Pairing #1: The Welcome Wine

— Singular Vinho Verde 2024

Region: DOC Vinho Verde
Producer Style: Fresh, organic, minimal-intervention, sustainably farmed

Start your Thanksgiving the way the Portuguese start every celebration — with a wine that wakes up the senses and sets the tone for a joyful, relaxed meal.

The Singular Vinho Verde 2024 is not the spritzy style most Americans expect. This vintage is textured, serious, and quietly elegant, with orchard fruit, citrus oil, and a saline edge from its Atlantic influence.

Why it works for Thanksgiving:

• Bright acidity pairs beautifully with appetizers
• Refreshing enough to sip while cooking
• Complements cheese boards, seafood starters, olives, and roasted nuts

It’s the perfect “first glass as guests arrive” wine.

🍗 Pairing #2: For Roast Turkey & Herb-Driven Dishes

— Kelman Tinto

Region: Dão
Farming: Sustainable vineyards, hand-harvested grapes
Why it’s special: Woman-owned, family-run, minimal-intervention production

This is the red wine that belongs on a Thanksgiving table.

The Kelman Tinto is a blend of classic Dão grapes — Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, and Alfrocheiro — offering elegance and freshness without heaviness.

Why it works with turkey:

• Silky tannins won’t overpower white meat
• Forest-berry flavors mirror cranberry sauce
• Subtle spice pairs naturally with stuffing herbs
• High natural acidity cuts through gravy and richness

It’s the Thanksgiving “everyone loves this” red.

🍄 Pairing #3: For Mushroom Sides, Vegetarian Plates & Earthy Dishes

— DIVAI Reserva White Blend

Region: Alentejo
Style: Vegan-friendly, sustainably farmed, hand-crafted blend

When your holiday table leans savory and earthy — mushrooms, roasted vegetables, herby dishes, creamy potatoes — you’ll want a white wine with texture, depth, and quiet complexity.
That’s where the DIVAI Reserva Branco shines.

This blend offers richness and roundness balanced by freshness — a gorgeous combination for vegetarian and side-driven Thanksgiving tables.

Why it works:

• Notes of stone fruit and warm spice complement roasted sides
• Creamy texture pairs with potatoes, gratins, and mushroom dishes
• Enough body to hold its own next to turkey or ham

It’s a white wine that feels like fall.

🥧 Pairing #4: For Pumpkin Pie, Sweet Potato Casserole & Spiced Desserts

— Quinta Das Queimas Encruzado

Region: Dão
Grape: Encruzado — Portugal’s noble white
Farming: Sustainable, small family producer

Instead of a sweet wine, consider a textured, aromatic Portuguese white that complements dessert without competing with its sweetness.

The Quinta das Queimas Encruzado offers a beautiful balance of creaminess, citrus, white flowers, and warm spice.

Why it works with dessert:

• Almond + citrus notes echo fall spices
• Silky mouthfeel pairs with pumpkin pie and apple tart
• Fresh acidity keeps sweet dishes lively and not heavy
• Complex enough to stand up to cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar

It’s a refined, elegant way to end a festive meal.

Portugal Meets Thanksgiving: A Table Filled With Story & Soul

There’s a Portuguese saying that perfectly captures the heart of this holiday: “A mesa é o coração da casa.” — The table is the heart of the home.

This Thanksgiving, your table can carry the stories of Portuguese families who farm sustainably, hand-pick their grapes, and make wine as a living expression of heritage and gratitude. When you pour these wines, you’re not just pairing — you’re connecting your celebration to centuries of tradition, craft, and care.

Bring Portugal to Your Holiday Table

👉 Shop all Thanksgiving-ready wines at Diniz Cellars
👉 Join the Lusitania Wine Club for quarterly, curated selections from family-run Portuguese wineries

Click the below links to Explore

Singular, Kelman Tinto, Queimas Encuzado & DIVAI

— wines that embody authenticity, sustainability, and soul

A Portuguese Thanksgiving: The Perfect Wines for a Warm, Soulful Holiday Table