In Fall, we always look forward to Thanksgiving dinner and ask ourselves what wine goes with turkey. For those of us who aren’t too well-versed with wines, this is a friendly guide to help us choose which wines to go with different ways turkey is prepared.
We all know turkey is one of the most important proteins in an American diet even if it just means having it once a year for most.
Turkey is bigger than the typical chicken and therefore, more often, is a little less flavorful than chicken. This fact doesn’t take away from the deliciously prepared turkey dinners and even turkey burgers, turkey cold cuts, and other turkey forms available in the market all year round.
To enjoy this delicious bird further, we’ve come up with 7 wines that pair well with turkey.
Table of Contents
1. Chardonnay
No matter where you are in the world, Chardonnay will always taste good with turkey. Chardonnay crapes may vary from area to area in the world but what is for sure is that the mineral traces, crisp acidity, and fruity notes enhance the flavor of the bird. Chardonnay could also be used to baste turkey.
2. Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is a versatile red that red lovers go to. Its bright acidity makes it a great pairing with the turkey, however way it is cooked AND the sides it comes with. Isn’t that just the perfect wine for Thanksgiving dinner? It was made for turkey, it seems.
However, the range of flavors in the dish may overpower the lighter style of Pinot Noir.
3. Aged Bordeaux
Aged Bordeaux is impeccably balanced with fruit, acidity, and tanning level. These factors pair very well for your turkey dinner. It’s great with roast turkey and even the stuffing that goes with it. Aged Bordeaux’s characteristics bring out the best of the turkey.
If you do choose a Bordeaux that is too oaky, it might not mesh well with the dinner.
4. Rioja
Rioja is full-bodied with good tanning levels and undertones of dark fruit. This is especially delicious with the dark meat of the turkey and turkey sandwiches that are on the heavy side. Just think: deli turkey sub. Sounds great, doesn’t it?
5. Gamay
Gamay is a light-bodied red that is almost close to Pinot Noir. This wine is pretty acidic and low in tannin. It has a floral aroma with undertones of earthy notes. It’s great to pair with turkey cold cuts and cheeses together with pickled onions and olives.
6. Zinfandel
Other than Pinot Noir, one of the more classic wines to pair with turkey is Zinfandel. Other than the fact that it has a long history in the United States, its characteristics are definitely balanced for turkey. It has notes of berries, and earthy tones of tobacco, which makes it perfect for the darker meat parts of turkey. If you’re the type who loves smoked turkey, this is definitely the wine for you to have with it.
Not only will it taste great with turkey but also the best supporting actor of the meal, the baked ham.
7. Champagne
We love celebrating Thanksgiving and when we do, we always bring out the fancy stuff. By fancy stuff, we mean the bottle of Champagne. Of course, Champagne goes well with turkey! Other than the fact that we love a good bubbly, its high acidity and food-friendly notes make it a good pair for turkey and the rest of Thanksgiving dinner.
