What Kind of Wine Goes Best with Turkey on Thanksgiving?

The Thanksgiving holiday is a time to relax with friends and family, and to reflect on reasons to be thankful. One aspect is the successful wine grape harvests around the world, which provide an opportunity to pair delicious wines with the Thanksgiving turkey.

However, turkey is not the easiest meat to match wine, because it has both the delicate, textured white meat, as well as the more savory, moist brown meat. Plus all the side dishes, including stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, gravy and more, make it a rather complex meal for wine pairing. But there are some wine varieties and styles that do work perfectly, and it makes sense to pick up a few different ones for guests to try.

Table 1 lists the top ten wine varieties/styles to pair with Thanksgiving turkey, as well as the side dishes. These wines will also work with plant-based turkeys, because they often have similar flavor profiles to meat turkeys, though may have a different texture. For Thanksgiving, the key is to select lighter bodied wines with crisp acidity, a fruit-forward profile, and no to little oak.

Thanksgiving dinner isn’t complete without turkey stuffing mashed potatoes, and of course, wine. But with all the different flavors on your plate, how do you choose a wine that will complement the meal instead of clashing with it? I did some research on the best wine pairings for turkey so you can enjoy the perfect glass this Thanksgiving.

White Wine Recommendations

White wines pair beautifully with poultry because they won’t overpower the delicate flavor of the turkey Here are some excellent white wine options to consider

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is one of the most popular Thanksgiving wine choices It has enough body and complexity in flavor to stand up to the turkey and savory side dishes Look for a Chardonnay with notes of butter, vanilla, and oak for the best pairing. The buttery quality softens the acids in things like gravy and cranberry sauce.

Riesling

Riesling is a very versatile wine that comes in dry, off-dry, and sweet styles. Dry and off-dry Riesling works well with turkey, bringing out citrus and green apple notes. The high acidity of Riesling cuts through the fattiness of the meat. German Rieslings offer great quality at a lower price point.

Sauvignon Blanc

With its bright acidity and flavors of grapefruit, lemon, and herbs, Sauvignon Blanc is a refreshing choice with turkey. The citrus notes in the wine accentuate the flavor of the meat. Sauvignon Blanc also pairs nicely with cranberry sauce and green bean casserole.

Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris

Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris provides a lighter-bodied white wine option. Look for a bottle with a bit more complexity than an inexpensive table wine. The delicate pear and melon notes won’t compete with all the flavors on your plate.

Sparkling Wine

Don’t forget bubbly! Sparkling wines like Cava, Prosecco, and Champagne make excellent apéritifs before the meal. The bubbles and acidity cut through the richness of the food. An off-dry sparkler can even complement dessert.

Red Wine Recommendations

While white wine is traditional, more people are discovering how versatile red wine can be with Thanksgiving dinner. Here are some red varieties to try:

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir works magic with poultry. The lighter body and lower tannins wrap around the flavors of the turkey instead of overpowering them. Red fruit flavors like pomegranate, cherry, and raspberry accentuate the taste of the meat.

Grenache

Grenache-based wines like Châteauneuf-du-Pape provide a fruit-forward pairing that won’t compete with the turkey and savory herbs. Look for red fruit notes of raspberry and strawberry along with white pepper spice.

Beaujolais

For a lighter, fruit-forward red, try Beaujolais from France’s Gamay grape. These wines have youthful red berry and tart cherry flavors along with very soft tannins. Beaujolais is delicious with gravy and stuffing.

Zinfandel

Zinfandel has enough body and bold berry flavors to stand up to the turkey yet doesn’t overshadow the delicate meat. The jammy fruit and black pepper notes marry beautifully with gravy and cranberry sauce.

Other Factors When Selecting Wine

Keep these other factors in mind when picking the perfect Thanksgiving wines:

How you cook your turkey – Smoked or grilled turkey can handle heartier reds like Cabernet Sauvignon. Roast turkey pairs better with lighter Pinot Noir or Grenache.
Other dishes on the table – If you have a lot of hearty sides, go with a more substantial wine. Lighter sides call for brighter, more delicate wines.
Personal preferences – Don’t overthink it. Not everyone likes Chardonnay or Pinot Noir. Choose varieties you and your guests enjoy drinking.
Budget – Thanksgiving wines don’t have to be expensive. Great value wines under $15 include Oregon Pinot Noir, Spanish Grenache, and Sauvignon Blanc from Chile or New Zealand.

Serving Tips for Thanksgiving Wine

Have a variety of both reds and whites so guests can try different pairings.
Chill whites and lighter reds like Pinot Noir before serving.
Pour small samples of different wines so people can taste.
Have plenty of water on hand to keep palates cleansed.
Take your time and sip between bites to appreciate the wine flavors.
Enjoy the experience of finding new favorites! Part of the fun is seeing what works with each element on your plate.

With so many excellent wine varieties to choose from, the hardest part is narrowing down which bottles to pick. I suggest offering a range of options since personal preferences vary. That way your Thanksgiving table can enjoy lighter, crisper whites as well as bolder, more robust reds. No matter what you decide, wine and turkey are truly a winning combination worth savoring. Here’s to creating new holiday memories over the perfect glass this Thanksgiving!

what kind of wine goes with turkey on thanksgiving

White Wines to Pair with Turkey

These three white wines all exhibit aromatic floral notes, along with fresh vibrant fruit. They create an exciting combination with the white meat of turkey and spicy herb stuffing. If you insist on chardonnay, then select a lighter un-oaked style with fresh vibrant fruit. However, big, buttery oaked chardonnays often make a good pairing with apple pie, and sauvignon blanc may match veggie dishes.

Riesling – always a classic with Thanksgiving meals, rieslings show notes of peach, lemon, and white blossoms. They can be dry, semi-sweet, and sweet. All three styles will work, because of the high acid and fruitiness found in these wines. Consider rieslings from Germany, New York, and Washington state.
Chenin Blanc – once popular in the 1980’s, chenin blanc is surging back into style again. With its attractive floral, honey, pear and apple notes with crisp acidity, it is very appealing for Thanksgiving. Like riesling, it can be dry, semi-sweet and sweet. Consider chenin blancs from South Africa, the Loire Valley, California and Texas.
Viognier – the more voluptuous older sister to chenin blanc, viognier exhibits similar floral and honey notes, but also has a touch of spice and white peach. Often medium-bodied, it can easily stand up to both white and brown turkey, as well as many of the side dishes. Consider viognier from France, Virginia and California.

Sparkling/Rosé Wines to Pair with Turkey

These three sparkling/rosé wines will pair well with turkey because of the fresh acidity in the wines, but also the fruity notes. The acid will help cleanse the palate, and cut through the savory notes in the brown meat, stuffing, and gravy. The fruit-forward profile of these wines will help balance the drier texture of the white meat, and pick up the spices in the cranberry sauce. If you insist on Champagne or a drier white sparkling wine, then pair that with appetizers. MORE FROM

Sparkling Red or Rosé – though it is not that common to find a sparkling red wine, there are some available, and they pair well with turkey. Ask your local retailer for Lambrusco from Italy, sparkling Shiraz from Australia, or red sparklers from some U.S. producers. A darker pink, fruity, sparkling rosé will also work well.
Pét-nat Orange Wine – these wines are orange in color because they have been fermented on the grape skins. They also have bubbles, but usually less than sparkling wine. Many of these are considered to be “natural wines,” and have delicious fruity aromas of dried apricot, lemon, lime, and flowers. They also have a heavier mouthfeel that works well with both white and brown turkey meat, stuffing, and sweet potatoes. Sometimes they taste similar to an IPA beer.
Darker Fruity Rosé – turkey doesn’t pair as well with the bone dry pale rosés. Instead look for a darker pink rosé with a fruity profile of raspberry and plum. Consider the Tavel region of France, or bolder rosés from other parts of the world.

Wines To Go With Turkey And All That Thanksgiving – Ep #353

FAQ

What wine pairs well with Thanksgiving turkey?

On the red side, Grenache, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel are popular choices for good reason, as is Beaujolais. And for white wines, Riesling (dry or off-dry), Viognier and Chenin Blanc are smart picks. And don’t forget the versatility of sparkling wines! Bubbly is a can’t-miss pairing with the Thanksgiving spread.

Do you drink white or red wine with turkey?

While white wines tend to pair more easily with white meat turkey recipes, dark meat and more complex turkey preparations may go well with a light-bodied red wine or a richer, spicier red wine in the case of a spicy, earthy flavored dish.

Does Pinot Grigio go with turkey dinner?

It’s a general rule of thumb that you pair red wines with red meats. However, if you prefer white meats such as chicken or turkey with your Christmas dinner, then a light Pinot Grigio is sure to make a great pairing and not draw the attention away from the flavours of the light meat.