While this hearty poultry makes for a great club sandwich, savory soup or even meatballs, turkey no doubt shines brightest as the centerpiece of a festive Thanksgiving feast with family and friends.
The internet serves as a great resource for a myriad of delicious turkey recipes. Nevertheless, you may be asking yourself, “What wine goes with turkey ?” In fact, the answer to this question depends – as with all food – on the cooking techniques used to prepare the ingredient and on the form it takes on your table. For example, while a bright and mineral white wine will go well with lemon and garlic turkey, a bolder, spicier red wine may taste better with a smoked turkey, for example. To help you choose the right wine for your favorite turkey dishes, we have put together a guide with different styles and the turkey preparations with which to enjoy them.
Can You Drink Red Wine with Turkey? The Perfect Pairings Explained
As Thanksgiving and Christmas approach, the perennial question arises – can you drink red wine with turkey? Or is white wine the only option for this classic holiday bird? After years of experimentation, I’ve discovered that both red and white wines can complement turkey beautifully. The key is finding styles that enhance the flavors in your particular turkey dish. Follow my guide to discover the perfect red wine pairings for your next succulent holiday turkey.
Why the Confusion Over Red Wine and Turkey?
The dilemma stems from turkey’s mild flavor and lean white meat. Full-bodied reds run the risk of overpowering delicate turkey, leading many to believe only crisp whites belong on the table. However, today’s broad range of red wine styles makes more versatile pairings possible. By selecting red wines with bright fruit, medium body, and subtle oak influence, you can craft nuanced pairings that celebrate the turkey’s taste.
Factors that Impact the Ideal Red Wine Choice
Several aspects influence the best red wine match
Meat Type – White meat suits lighter reds. Dark meat holds up to fuller-bodied wines.
Preparation – Roasted and fried turkey support bolder reds than poached or grilled.
Seasoning – Spicy rubs or global flavors require a red with intensity. Simple herbs pair with brighter wines.
Sides – Rich savory sides need an earthy red. Sweet dishes call for a fruit-forward wine.
Sauces – Creamy sauces complement oaked reds. Tart cranberry sauce matches brighter fruit wines.
By considering these elements, you can pinpoint an exemplary red wine style. Now let’s explore perfect red wine options for various turkey dishes.
Best Red Wines for Roast Turkey
For oven-roasted whole turkey or breast, I suggest a lighter fruit-forward red:
Pinot Noir – Both Old World and New World styles offer flavorful cherry and berry notes.
Beaujolais – Made from Gamay, Beaujolais is light, fruity, and low tannin.
Valpolicella – Italian wine with bright cherry and plum flavors, minimal oak.
These picks beautifully accent the roast turkey without overwhelming. Their vibrancy also complements typical savory herb stuffing and cranberry sauce.
Fuller Reds for Smoked or Grilled Turkey
The charred flavors of hot smoked or grilled turkey demand a slightly more robust red:
Chianti Classico – Cherry and herbs in this Italian Sangiovese-based wine are perfect.
Red Bordeaux – Merlot-based blends from good producers offer fruit and savory notes.
California Zinfandel – Jammy berry flavors and gentle tannins make Zin a great match.
The smokiness and savoriness of the turkey meat inspires these fuller yet still refined reds. Their touch of boldness resonates with the cooking method.
Best Reds for Boldly Seasoned Turkey
When your turkey boasts a rub, marinade, or sauce with some heat or savoriness, reach for a more intensely flavored red:
Shiraz – Pepper, spice, and dark fruit in Aussie Shiraz works with spiced turkey.
Chateauneuf-du-Pape – This hearty southern French blend can handle big flavors.
Amarone – Made from dried grapes, this Italian wine is robust with plum and raisin notes.
California Cabernet – Bold Napa Cabs have the richness for turkey mole or tikka masala.
The elevated intensity of these reds embraces the strong seasonings and sauces, creating a spectacular fusion of flavors.
Avoid Light, Delicate Reds
Lighter Pinot Noirs without bottle age and basic Sangiovese can taste harsh and astringent with turkey’s leanness. Avoid heavily oaked Cabernet and Malbec – their dusky tannins overtake turkey’s daintiness.
Instead, target smooth, fruit-forward red wines with modest tannins. This philosophy will lead you to stellar pairings!
In Conclusion: Fantastic Reds Exist for Turkey
With an array of red wine options now available, there’s no need to limit yourself to whites with turkey. Follow my guide to discover how to harmonize the perfect red wine with your turkey’s preparation. Then watch your holiday meals become more flavorful and fulfilling. Experiment with different red wine styles at the next gathering – I’m certain your taste buds will thank you!
So don’t hesitate to uncork a red alongside the bird this holiday season. With my tips for choosing the ideal red wine match, your next Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner will undoubtedly be delicious!
TOP SPARKLING WINES TO PAIR WITH TURKEY
Due to its high natural acidity and refreshing effervescence, sparkling wine is perhaps the most versatile food pairing wine. Despite the common misconception that they go well only with oysters and caviar, sparkling wines – such as Prosecco, Champagne, Vouvray or Cava – actually match a very wide range of food choices, including a myriad of turkey dishes. They will successfully cut through salty and fatty turkey preparations, like fried turkey with turkey gravy or savory turkey sausage.
TOP ROSÉ WINES TO PAIR WITH TURKEY
For turkey dishes with more subtle flavors, we recommend pairing a rosé wine from Cotes de Provence, whose bright acidity and fresh red fruit aromas will add the perfect touch. Or, for a hearty turkey stew or turkey giblets, consider a deeply-colored, more intensely flavored rosé from Tavel.
What Wine Goes With Turkey?: Thumbs Up Wine Food Pairing
FAQ
Does turkey go with red wine?
Yes, a number of red wines can go well with turkey. Red wines that are light to medium body, and low in tannins, are the best to serve with turkey.
What alcohol pairs well with turkey?
- Chardonnay. Chardonnay’s richness and subtle oak complement the round flavors of the turkey, and its supple body can help balance out any dryness in the meat, especially if the turkey is roasted. …
- Sauvignon Blanc. …
- Pinot Noir. …
- Beaujolais. …
- Rosé …
- Sparkling.
Do you serve red or white wine with roast turkey?
Finding the perfect wine to pair with turkey, alongside all the other side dishes and sauces, might seem challenging, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. Richer whites and lighter reds are ideal for complementing turkey’s succulent flavour.
What wine should I drink if I eat turkey meat?
That said, dark turkey meat or turkey slathered in gravy has a weightier profile that can tolerate a bit more tannin. For optimal balance, stick to wines with low to medium tannins, like sangiovese, barbera, malbec, and pinot noir.
Can one drink red wine with fatty liver?
The ideal is to avoid the consumption of any alcoholic beverage, especially those people who have a higher degree of fat in the liver.
Can you serve wine with Turkey?
It depends. The challenge with pairing wine with turkey is what else you serve with it – a full-flavoured, fruity, sometimes spicy stuffing, tart cranberry sauce and an array of vegetables (sprouts and carrots at a minimum) that means you probably have about a dozen different flavours on your plate.
What wine goes with Turkey Day?
Beaujolais is synonymous with Turkey Day—though we recommend passing on Nouveau style expressions and grabbing a bottle of quality Cru Beaujolais instead. Produced entirely from Gamay, the wine’s high acid, low tannins, and juicy mouthfeel make it one of the best bottles to pair with turkey.
Which wine is best for Turkey?
That’s good news if one of your fellow diners only drinks rosé, or white, red or orange. Pinot Noir often delivers wines of bright red fruit and refreshing acidity, albeit with varying levels of structure, and can be a great red wine choice for turkey. It’s still possible to find ‘value’ options in Pinot Noir’s Burgundy heartland.
What color wine goes with turkey meat?
As it turns out, you can pair turkey meat with any color of wine: white, rosé, red, orange, and even sparkling. This broadens the spectrum of bottles available to serve with turkey, making it incredibly versatile when you’re hosting a group of people with different tastes. It also allows the chef to play around with the seasoning profile.