Turkey is a versatile protein that can be paired with a variety of wines. With its delicate flavor, turkey tends to match well with lighter, fruit-forward wines that won’t overpower the dish As you plan your holiday meals, consider these tips on picking the perfect wine to complement your turkey.
White Wine Options
White wines are a popular choice with poultry like turkey. The higher acidity and lighter body of whites pairs nicely with turkey’s mild taste. Here are some excellent white varietals to try:
Pinot Grigio
With its crisp acidity, Pinot Grigio is a classic selection for turkey. Good Pinot Grigio has hints of citrus, green apple, and minerals. The tartness cuts through the richness of the turkey while complementing flavors like sage and thyme. Albino Armani makes an excellent Italian Pinot Grigio. For a domestic version, try one from Oregon’s Willamette Valley.
Riesling
Riesling is renowned for its food-friendliness. Its bright acidity and fruit flavors with aromas of stone fruit, apple and citrus make it a delightful paring for turkey. Look for a Kabinett Riesling from Germany or a dry Finger Lakes Riesling from New York state.
Chenin Blanc
With flavors of apple, pear, and honey Chenin Blanc makes a versatile match for turkey. The Loire Valley in France produces high quality Chenin Blanc, especially in the Vouvray appellation. South Africa also makes excellent value Chenin Blanc.
Sauvignon Blanc
The herbal, citrus notes of Sauvignon Blanc complement poultry well. Look for unoaked styles that emphasize lime, grapefruit, and grassy aromas over oak flavors. Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand and the Loire Valley offer great options.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer has a distinctive spicy, floral aroma along with flavors of lychee and citrus. The spice pairs nicely with turkey, especially complementing side dishes like stuffing and gravy. Gewürztraminer from Alsace, France offers an excellent showcase for the grape.
Viognier
Viognier boasts aromas of peach, apricot, and orange blossom. On the palate, stone fruit flavors mix with spice and floral notes. This aromatic wine matches well with poultry and can even stand up to bolder Thanksgiving sides. Look for Viognier from Condrieu in France or California’s Central Coast.
Red Wine Options
While white wine gets most of the attention for Thanksgiving, don’t overlook red as an option either. Leaner reds with bright fruit and lower tannins work splendidly with turkey. Consider these red varieties:
Pinot Noir
With its delicate cherry flavors, earthiness, and soft tannins, Pinot Noir is one of the most popular choices for Thanksgiving. Good regions for Pinot include Oregon’s Willamette Valley, California’s Russian River Valley, and Burgundy in France.
Beaujolais
Made from the Gamay grape, the red wines of Beaujolais have juicy berry fruit flavors, moderate alcohol, and minimal tannins. These easy-drinking reds pair beautifully with Thanksgiving dinner. Try Beaujolais-Villages or Beaujolais Crus like Fleurie, Brouilly, or Morgon for more complexity.
Sangiovese
Known as the main grape of Chianti, Sangiovese also makes excellent table wines outside of Tuscany. Look for Italian Sangiovese with vibrant cherry flavors and savory herb notes that complement turkey’s seasoning. Lighter style California Sangiovese works nicely too.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel can produce robust, high alcohol wines, but styles from Lodi and Paso Robles in California tend to be lighter and more balanced. Their jammy berry flavors and black pepper spice notes complement turkey well. Just avoid the biggest, most tannic bottlings.
Rosé
Don’t overlook rosé, especially fuller-bodied rosés, as an option with turkey. Dry rosés based on grapes like Grenache and Mourvedre offer red fruit flavors with crispness and freshness. Their medium body and soft tannins allow them to match well with turkey and Thanksgiving sides. Provence in France makes benchmark rosés, but look for domestic regions like California and Texas too.
Best Thanksgiving Wine Pairings
Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, Riesling, and Rosé consistently rank among the most popular wine choices for Thanksgiving. Here are some excellent bottles to try:
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Domaine Drouhin Willamette Valley Pinot Noir – Elegant cherry and spice flavors from one of Oregon’s iconic producers.
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Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages – Juicy berry and subtle earth notes from this negociant house in Burgundy.
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Trimbach Riesling – Dry, racy Riesling with green apple, citrus, and shale minerality from Alsace.
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Chateau d’Esclans Whispering Angel Rosé – Benchmark dry, fuller-bodied Provence rosé with red berry flavors.
Tips for Picking Wine for Your Turkey
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Stick with lighter, fruit-forward red and white wines. Avoid big, tannic reds like Cabernet.
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Think about how the wine will complement your side dishes too. Riesling can match lots of Thanksgiving favorites.
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Pick wines with lower alcohol (under 13.5%). They tend to be more food-friendly.
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Buy an extra bottle or two of wines you are considering. Taste and pick your favorite pairing.
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Ask your local wine merchant for recommendations. Tell them your menu and budget.
Pairing wine with your Thanksgiving turkey adds an extra layer of flavor to your meal. Following these tips will help you select a wine that brings out the best in your turkey and delights your family and guests. What will you be pouring this Thanksgiving?
The Perfect Wine Pairing
Finding the perfect wine to pair with your turkey dinner can be challenging, but it’s worth the effort. In general, if you plan to serve a sweeter dish, such as cranberry sauce, a dry or off-dry wine is best.
A fruity or spicy wine will complement a savory dish, like stuffing or mashed potatoes. Lastly, for a smoky or spicy turkey dish, look for a wine with a higher sugar content to balance these flavors.
Best Wine and Turkey Pairings
When it comes to enjoying a turkey dinner, whether on Thanksgiving or any other day of the year, the perfect wine pairing can take your meal from good to great. It may be a bit overwhelming when trying to select the right bottle, but worry not!
In this blog post, the Hillside Turkey Farms team will discuss the best red, white, and rosé wines to complement your turkey dinner. So, whether you’re a traditionalist who prefers a full-bodied red wine or you enjoy a lighter, fruitier taste, we’re here to help you find the perfect wine pairing for your turkey meal:
Red wines are a staple for Thanksgiving dinner, especially if you enjoy a heartier meal. Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel are all excellent choices as they pair well with the rich flavors of turkey and gravy. If you prefer a more bold wine, choose a Cabernet Sauvignon—it has a strong taste, making it perfect for red meats.
On the other hand, Pinot Noir is a bit lighter, with notes of earth, berries, and spice, so it’s a great wine for those who prefer a subtler taste. Lastly, Zinfandel is a versatile wine with fruity and spicy notes, perfect for those who enjoy a spicier turkey dish.
White wines are typically lighter and crisp, pairing well with a variety of dishes. Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Riesling are excellent choices to accompany your turkey dinner. Sauvignon Blanc is a light and citrusy wine that compliments turkey well, as it doesn’t overpower the dish’s flavor.
Chardonnay is a more robust white wine featuring notes of vanilla and butter. If you prefer your wine a bit sweeter, Riesling is an ideal pick—it features fruity and floral aromas with a balanced sweetness perfect for turkey stuffing.
If you’re looking for something different and fun, try a rosé wine! Rosé wines are trendy right now, with light and fruity notes making them great for your Thanksgiving or holiday meal. The best rosé wines to accompany your turkey dinner are those with a bit of sweetness and a light, refreshing flavor.
Look for a rosé with a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah grapes for a richer flavor. Another good option is a rosé made with Pinot Noir grapes, which has subtle notes of cherry and strawberry.
What Wine Should You Serve With Turkey?
FAQ
Is red or white wine best with turkey?
Red wines are a staple for Thanksgiving dinner, especially if you enjoy a heartier meal. Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel are all excellent choices as they pair well with the rich flavors of turkey and gravy.
What red wine pairs with Thanksgiving turkey?
Pinot Noir and Beaujolais are the traditional turkey pairings and work really nicely because they are both light- medium in body with good acid and low- medium tannins. The acid makes them refreshing and also allows them to compliment the cranberries better than a wine that has lower acid.
Is red or white wine better for Thanksgiving?
Chardonnay and Riesling are the best white wine varieties for roast turkey. As for red wines, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Beaujolais Nouveau are probably the classier types for thanksgiving turkey pairings.
What wine is good for cooking turkey?
The secret to this flavorful gravy is the whole bottle of wine that simmers in the roasting pan while the turkey cooks. It adds acidity and brightness to the pan drippings, plus it helps to keep the meat moist while cooking. Any dry white will do, such as pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc.