Thanksgiving Wine and Cider in Boston
For Thanksgiving wine in Boston, The Wild Duck, a package store in Boston, Massachusetts, carries Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, rosé, French reds and whites, sparkling wine, hard cider, non-alcoholic options and mixers for the holiday table. Thanksgiving 2026 falls on Thursday, November 26, and Massachusetts package stores cannot sell on Thanksgiving Day, so please plan to pick up or receive your order by Wednesday, November 25.
When is the last day to buy Thanksgiving wine in Boston?
The last day to buy Thanksgiving wine in Boston is Wednesday, November 25, 2026, the day before Thanksgiving. Massachusetts package stores cannot sell alcohol on Thanksgiving Day, so The Wild Duck cannot sell on Thursday, November 26.
We suggest that you buy your Thanksgiving wine, cider and mixers a few days ahead. That way you have time to chill white and sparkling wine, and you are not left short when more guests arrive than you expected. If you are hosting the night before as well, plan for both gatherings in one trip.
Which wine goes best with a Thanksgiving dinner?
The most useful Thanksgiving wines are ones that suit many dishes at once: a light red such as Pinot Noir, a white such as Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, and a sparkling wine for the toast. A Thanksgiving table has turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet and savory sides, and pie, so a mix of bottles serves the meal better than one single wine.
A simple plan for the table is one red, one white and one sparkling wine, with cider and a non-alcoholic choice for guests who do not drink wine. The sections below show what The Wild Duck carries in each style.
Which red wines does The Wild Duck carry for Thanksgiving?
For Thanksgiving reds, we carry Pinot Noir, red Burgundy and fuller reds for guests who prefer a bigger glass. Pinot Noir is the classic Thanksgiving red because it is light enough for turkey and the side dishes.
- The Hilt Pinot Noir
- A F Gros Bourgogne (Domaine), a French red from Burgundy
- Nuits Domaine 2019, a French red from Burgundy
- Mason Parel Vendanges
- Vena Cava Cabernet
- Hamel Family Ranch and Hamel Family Nuns Canyon
- 8 Years in the Desert (Orin Swift)
- Amarone Riserva Classico, for the end of the meal
Beaujolais is another light French red that many families pour at Thanksgiving. Our Beaujolais Nouveau 2026 page and our guide on how to serve Beaujolais Nouveau explain how to choose and chill a bottle.
Which white wines does The Wild Duck carry for Thanksgiving?
For Thanksgiving whites, we carry Chardonnay, Chablis, a white from the Loire Valley in France and a Spanish Verdejo. White wine suits turkey, roasted vegetables and creamy side dishes, and it gives guests a lighter choice next to the red.
- Salus Staglin Family Chardonnay
- Thomas Picqout Chablis, a French white from Burgundy
- Villargeau Giennois Blanc, a French white from the Loire Valley
- Verdejo (Marmicas)
Chill white wine in the refrigerator for a few hours before dinner, and take it out a little while before you pour.
Which sparkling wine and rosé should you buy for a Thanksgiving toast?
For a Thanksgiving toast, a sparkling rosé or a dry sparkling wine works well, because it suits the first course as well as the toast itself. We carry Brut Rosé (Rainoldi) along with a shelf of celebration bubbles.
If you prefer Spanish sparkling wine, our page on cava in Boston explains what we carry. Sparkling wine should be served well chilled, so it is best bought a day or more before Thanksgiving.
Which hard ciders does The Wild Duck carry for Thanksgiving?
We carry a Thanksgiving selection of hard ciders for guests who prefer cider to wine, and for the afternoon before dinner. Hard cider is a seasonal choice in New England and suits the flavors of a fall table.
For a wider choice of seasonal beer and cider, see our fall beer and cider shelf below.
What do you need to make mulled cider for Thanksgiving?
To make mulled cider, you need cider and the mixers and spirits that go into the pot, and The Wild Duck carries a Thanksgiving selection of mulled cider mixers for this. Mulled cider is warmed slowly with spices and can be kept warm on the stove through the evening.
If you would rather serve mulled wine, our guide to the best wine for mulled wine explains which reds to pick.
What can guests who do not drink wine have at Thanksgiving?
For guests who do not drink wine or alcohol, we carry sparkling cider alternatives, non-alcoholic options and mixers. A sparkling non-alcoholic choice lets every guest join the Thanksgiving toast.
Our guide to non-alcoholic spirits and beer in Boston covers more choices. For a cranberry note on the table, we also carry Cranberry (Nantucket).
What should you buy for a night-before-Thanksgiving party?
For a night-before-Thanksgiving party, The Wild Duck carries a selection of ready-to-drink cocktails, beer, liqueurs, mixers and snacks chosen for the evening before the holiday. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is also the last day to buy, so it is practical to shop for the party and the dinner in one visit.
For a larger gathering, our page on kegs in Boston explains what we offer. If you would like to serve a simple cocktail, our guide to the Moscow mule lists what to buy.
Which snacks go with Thanksgiving drinks?
We carry snacks that suit the hours before dinner and the night-before party, so guests have something to eat with their first glass. You can see the full range on our snacks page.
If you are bringing dessert, our guide to chocolate and drink pairings may help you choose a bottle to go with it.
What is a good Thanksgiving host gift from a Boston liquor store?
A bottle of wine, sparkling wine or a spirit is a common host gift for Thanksgiving, and The Wild Duck has a gift guide for wine, spirits and beer gifts to help you choose. A sparkling wine or a French red from the sections above also makes a simple gift for the table.
Can you get Thanksgiving wine delivered in Boston?
Yes, The Wild Duck delivers within 5 miles of the store, and delivery orders must also arrive by Wednesday, November 25, because we cannot sell on Thanksgiving Day. Our wine delivery in Boston page and our liquor delivery in Boston page explain how delivery works.
We also deliver to nearby areas, including Brookline and Cambridge. You can see every area we serve on our liquor delivery areas page, and our guide on how alcohol delivery works answers common questions.
Can you order Thanksgiving wine online and pick it up in Boston?
Yes, you can order online and collect your Thanksgiving wine at The Wild Duck in Boston, and we serve pickup orders for shoppers up to 60 miles away. Our in-store pickup in Boston page explains how pickup works.
Pickup is a practical choice for the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, because your order is ready when you arrive. Please collect your order by Wednesday, November 25.
Where is The Wild Duck, and what are its hours?
The Wild Duck is a package store in Boston, Massachusetts. Our address, phone number, hours, map and reviews are shown below.
What else does The Wild Duck carry?
Besides Thanksgiving wine and cider, The Wild Duck carries ready-to-drink cocktails, beer, liqueurs, spirits, mixers, snacks and merchandise. You can browse every category of the store below.
Questions about Thanksgiving wine in Boston
Can you buy wine on Thanksgiving Day in Massachusetts?
No. Massachusetts package stores cannot sell on Thanksgiving Day, so The Wild Duck cannot sell on Thursday, November 26, 2026. Please buy your Thanksgiving wine by Wednesday, November 25.
What is the best red wine for Thanksgiving?
Pinot Noir is the most common choice because it is light enough for turkey and the side dishes. We carry The Hilt Pinot Noir, along with red Burgundy from France.
What is the best white wine for Thanksgiving?
Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc both suit a Thanksgiving dinner. We carry Salus Staglin Family Chardonnay, Thomas Picqout Chablis and Villargeau Giennois Blanc from the Loire Valley.
How many bottles of wine do you need for Thanksgiving?
A standard 750 ml bottle pours about five glasses. A simple plan is to count the guests who drink wine, allow for more than one glass each, and buy a mix of red, white and sparkling.
Does The Wild Duck carry hard cider and non-alcoholic drinks for Thanksgiving?
Yes. We carry a Thanksgiving selection of hard ciders, mulled cider mixers and sparkling cider alternatives, along with other non-alcoholic options.
Does The Wild Duck deliver Thanksgiving wine?
Yes. We deliver within 5 miles of the store, and we offer in-store pickup for shoppers up to 60 miles away. All orders must be delivered or collected by Wednesday, November 25.
Where can I find more answers about ordering from The Wild Duck?
Our frequently asked questions page covers ordering, pickup and delivery in more detail.
