The first thing that comes to mind when many people think turkey is the typical Thanksgiving spread consisting of the whole bird and all the fixings. It is important to keep in mind that are many different ways to serve turkey and that different wines will lend themselves more readily to different preparation methods.
In fact, even if you end up with turkey that is a little on the dry side, you can help improve the overall quality of the meal by switching up your wine choice.
Here are a few best wines to serve with turkey dinner dishes:
1. Chardonnay
Despite the fact that this wine is capable of expressing itself in many different ways depending on where it is produced, they virtually all go well with turkey. With a tendency toward crisp acidity and mineral undertones, Chardonnay is sure to bring out the best of what turkey has to offer.
If you prefer something fruitier, you should choose a Chardonnay from the USA, South America or Australia. One added bonus? This wine also works great for basting the turkey in question.
2. Dry Riesling
When many people hear the word Riesling, they turn their noses up at a grape that they expect to be overly sweet. In fact, the abundance of delicious dry Rieslings has never been greater, and these delicious new wines are also proving themselves super versatile on the dinner table.
Be sure to go with something high in acidity that is explicitly dry, and you’ll likely have found a great accompaniment for the turkey, stuffing, and all other side dishes.
3. Champagne
Turkey is often a celebratory meal, so why not pair it with a celebratory beverage? It might seem unconventional to pair bubbles with turkey, but in fact the high acidity makes it a lovely counterpoint to round out a festive meal.
4. Pinot Noir
As far as light red wines go, the versatility of Pinot Noir really cannot be beat. This popular red wine is a favourite pairing for poultry of all sorts. Pinot Noir will complement a perfectly cooked piece of juicy turkey exceptionally well. If you prefer a richer Pinot Noir or are serving your turkey with a decadent sauce, look for something from California, Chile, or Argentina.
5. Dry Rosé
A dry American Rosé can be a lifesaver in the event that the turkey is a little dry and over-cooked. These wines typically offer a super juicy feel in the mouth with bold fruit flavours. With enough weight to carry a slightly lackluster piece of turkey, this is one of the best wines to serve with turkey.
6. Zinfandel
You can’t talk about turkey pairings without mentioning Zinfandel. A classic go-to at the Thanksgiving dinner table, Zinfandel has a long history in American and its complex, rich flavours are ideal served alongside dark or smoked turkey meat. Thanks to its fruit-forward nature, Zinfandel even holds up well against turkey that has been finished with a sweeter glaze or sauce.
7. Garnacha
If you’re dealing with a typical turkey spread complete with all the fixings, feel free to think of serving Garnacha as a substitute for the cranberry sauce. Heavy on the fruit flavours including strawberry and raspberry, this is the kind of wine you want to enjoy alongside a juicy piece of turkey drowning in gravy.
8. Rioja
If your style is classic with a twist, Rioja might just be the perfect wine to serve with your next turkey dinner. This generous Spanish wine provides a velvety texture and succulent red fruit flavours. With floral and herbal flavour notes, you get an incredibly complex structure that often tastes much more expensive than it actually is.
