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 just wouldn’t be complete without a perfectly roasted turkey and a variety of delicious wines to complement the meal. But with so many options available what kind of wine actually goes best with turkey? Read on for a complete guide to picking the ideal Thanksgiving wine to enjoy with your holiday bird.
Light, Fruit-Forward Reds
Some of the most foolproof pairings with turkey are light-bodied reds that emphasize fruit over heavy tannins The bright acidity and juicy fruit notes of these wines cut through the richness of the turkey meat beautifully,
Pinot Noir is a prime choice especially cool-climate expressions that offer cranberry cherry and earthy flavors. Both domestic Pinot Noirs from California and Oregon and Old World Burgundy are great options. Gamay-based wines like Cru Beaujolais are another sure bet, with their modest alcohol, vibrant red fruit profile and silky texture.
For those who enjoy a slightly fuller-bodied red, Zinfandel is a Thanksgiving staple. Raspberry, plum and blackberry flavors along with soft tannins allow Zins to pair with everything from white meat to stuffing.
Aromatic, Fruity Whites
White wines that highlight fresh fruit flavors and aromatics are made for turkey. Riesling is incredibly versatile, with dry styles matching perfectly to white meat while off-dry Rieslings complement gravy and cranberry sauce. Riesling’s high acidity cuts through the richness.
Similarly, Chenin Blanc and Viognier shine with their peach, apricot and floral notes balancing turkey’s savory flavor. Unoaked Chardonnay also fits the bill, providing a crisp, citrusy counterpoint.
Versatile Sparkling Wine
No Thanksgiving table is complete without a bottle (or two!) of sparkling wine. The crisp effervescence and palate-cleansing bubbles make sparklers ideal with rich dishes. Opt for value-driven options like Prosecco, fruit-forward Moscato d’Asti or the tried-and-true classic, Champagne.
In fact, Champagne is highly recommended, since it pairs masterfully with absolutely everything on your Thanksgiving table, from savory roasted turkey to sweet cranberry sauce and salads to starchy sides. Splurge on a vintage bottling or invest in a wide array of affordable grower Champagne options.
Fuller-Bodied Whites
While leaner, citrusy whites are most traditional, don’t shy away from richer whites that can stand up to turkey and gravy. Unoaked white Rhône blends featuring Roussanne, Marsanne and Viognier provide texture along with stone fruit and floral notes.
Similarly, Albariño and Dry Vouvray Chenin Blanc offer peach and honeyed flavors with just enough acidity. And a well-made oaked California Chardonnay can be a decadent match for turkey, especially if you’re serving crispy skin or gravy with your meal.
Light-Bodied Reds
In addition to Pinot Noir and Beaujolais, other light reds provide the right balance for turkey. Frappato from Sicily offers juicy cherry, cranberry and herbal notes with no hard edges. Valpolicella and Chianti Classico from Italy have the acidity to cut through the richness of turkey, along with mild tannins and red fruit.
Even Red Burgundy can work with turkey, though stick to the less expensive village-level red Burgundies. The tart cherry and earth notes complement the poultry beautifully.
Best Thanksgiving Wine Tips
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Avoid heavily oaked, high alcohol wines that will overpower turkey.
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Pick wines with higher acidity to cut through fattiness.
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Sweeter styles of Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Viognier work well with cranberry sauce.
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Match weightier sides like potatoes and stuffing with slightly bigger wines.
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Don’t forget the bubbles! Sparkling is extremely versatile with Thanksgiving fare.
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Serve both reds and whites so guests can pick to match their preferences.
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Provide a range of options from light, fruit-forward to rich, full-bodied.
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Pop some celebratory Champagne before or after the big meal!
Thanksgiving dinner offers the chance to enjoy a diverse array of wines with your food. While turkey matches with everything from light Pinot Noir to fruity Riesling, the key is picking wines with good acidity and fruit that enhance rather than compete with the meal. Keep these wine pairing tips in mind, and your Thanksgiving table will be filled with fantastic food and wine pairings.
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.
thanksgiving pairings wine and turkey
FAQ
Is white or red wine better with turkey?
As most turkey preparations are characterized by delicate flavors and textures, they tend to pair best with light-bodied red wines with fresh fruit flavors …
What kind of wine do you drink for Thanksgiving?
Pinot Noir and Gamay are traditional picks, as these wines balance fresh fruit and earthy flavors without much of the drying tannin you’ll find in, say, an …
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.
What wine goes with cold turkey?
Bright, fruity, unoaked reds such as beaujolais, pinot noir and Loire reds such as Saumur-Champigny work better than complex, oaky ones with cold turkey.