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.
Turkey is a Thanksgiving tradition, and finding the perfect wine pairing can take your holiday feast to the next level. But with so many options, what type of wine should you choose? Let’s explore some of the best wines to complement the flavors of turkey and traditional Thanksgiving sides.
White Wines
White wines tend to work well with poultry like turkey because they complement rather than overpower the delicate flavor. Here are some top white wine recommendations
Chardonnay
With its crisp acidity and fruit-forward notes, Chardonnay is one of the most versatile options It can complement turkey’s richness but also cut through heavier dishes like mashed potatoes or stuffing Opt for unoaked styles to keep the pairing light.
Riesling
Dry Rieslings are an excellent choice with their racy acidity, minerality, and stone fruit flavors German Rieslings offer a nice balance of sweetness, while Alsatian styles are bone dry. Riesling is a great wine for the entire Thanksgiving spread.
Pinot Gris
The medium body and touch of spice in Pinot Gris makes it a natural fit for turkey and traditional sides. Alsatian styles work well, with their rich texture and white peach flavors.
Gewürztraminer
This floral, aromatic grape pairs nicely with turkey. Dry Gewürztraminers from Alsace have beautiful lychee and rose petal notes that complement turkey’s delicate flavor.
Red Wines
While white wine is traditional, don’t count out red! Light-bodied, fruit-forward reds complement turkey beautifully. Here are top red wine options:
Pinot Noir
With its cherry, raspberry flavors and food-friendly acidity, Pinot Noir is a classic choice for turkey. Lean towards cooler climate regions like Oregon and Burgundy for the best pairing.
Beaujolais
Made from Gamay, Beaujolais has tart cherry flavors, bright acidity, and low tannins – a perfect match for turkey! Cru Beaujolais offers the best quality and value.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel’s jammy, berry fruit pairs deliciously with turkey. For balanced styles, look to regions like Sonoma or Paso Robles.
Bubbly and Fortified Wines
Some festive options also complement turkey beautifully:
Sparkling Wine
Pop some bubbles! Prosecco, Cava, and Champagne have the acidity to cleanse the palate between all those rich dishes.
Sherry
Dry sherries like Fino or Manzanilla lend crisp, salty flavors that offset turkey perfectly. Stay away from sweet styles.
Port
Splurge on a nice tawny Port with dried fruit and nutty notes to finish your meal. It pairs perfectly with pecan or pumpkin pie!
Key Takeaways
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Lean towards crisp, acidic whites to cut through turkey’s richness. Riesling, unoaked Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Gewürztraminer are excellent options.
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Light, fruit-forward reds like Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, and Zinfandel complement turkey wonderfully. Focus on cool climate regions.
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Sparkling wines, dry Sherry, and tawny Port offer festive alternatives that pair nicely with turkey.
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Sample a few options and see what suits your palate! The best wine for your Thanksgiving table is the one you enjoy most.
So don’t stress about wine and turkey pairings. With a range of stellar options, you’re sure to find something the complements your meal perfectly and makes Thanksgiving extra special. Cheers and happy 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.
What Wine Should You Serve With Turkey?
FAQ
What kind of wine for Thanksgiving dinner?
Light reds like Pinot Noir are excellent with turkey and stuffing, while whites like Riesling and Chardonnay pair nicely with a variety of sides.Nov 22, 2024
What wine do they drink in turkey?
- Among the leading indigenous varieties are Öküzgözü, Boğazkere, Çal Karası, Kalecik Karası and Papaskarası
- International varieties planted include Syrah, Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Merlot and Gamay Noir.
What do you drink with turkey for Thanksgiving?
Great wine matches with turkey include relatively full-bodied white wines or medium-bodied reds with low-to-medium tannin levels and high acidity.Nov 4, 2024
What kind of wine goes with turkey and ham?
A dry Riesling would certainly work, and I’d consider Rhône whites – Viognier, Roussanne, etc – they tend to be a little bigger in body which will do well with turkey and richer sides like stuffing. Something from Condrieu would be a winner.