Among the many things for which we should give thanks is that we don’t have to stumble around a wine shop wondering what wine would go well with Thanksgiving dinner.

But excuse me — did I say wine, singular?

If there was ever an occasion to have more than one wine at a meal, this is it.

Take it from wine diva Natalie MacLean, author of the bestselling book “Red, White and Drunk All Over,” who serves up an “Ultimate Guide” to choosing Thanksgiving wines, plural.

Among her tips (with my links to varietal backgrounders):

• For starters, think bubbly. Not only does a sparkling wine complement soups or salads, it’s a festive way to kill some time while the turkey’s roasting.
• Look for a “mouth-watering” wine to pair with the dry-textured turkey meat, say a crisp Riesling or Pinot Grigio. But then again the fruity flavors of Pinot Noir, Beaujolais and Zinfandel would go well, too.
• Given the assortment of side dishes in the typical Thanksgiving banquet, there’s no need to choose between the reds and whites — you can offer both.
• A “big, buttery” Chardonnay from California or Chile would suit the roasted, smoky flavors of squash, chestnuts and pecan stuffing, while a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc would provide a crisp contrast to cream sauces’ richness.
• “End on a sweet note,” like a late-harvest wine or ice wine. 

Her number one recommendation for a Thanksgiving wine? A Pinot Noir from her current list of picks, she suggested in a recent e-mail message. Depending on your budget:

• 2001 J. Labet & N. Déchelette Château De La Tour Clos-Vougeot Grand Cru 2001 Ac, Grand Cru, France – Burgundy:
  “Exotic aromas of earth, lovely sour cherries, beets (it’s a good thing) and a certain je ne sais quois pas.” $129.95
• 2005 Maison Champy Bourgogne Signature Pinot Noir AC, France – Burgundy:
  With raspberry, cherry-drop and beetroot scents, a “staggering value” from a respected producer. $18.95

There’s a cornucopia of wine experts decanting advice about Thanksgiving wines. Stay tuned to Wine News Review in the days ahead for more of their recommendations and picks.