Wondering what kind of wine you drink with turkey? Pairing wine and turkey is easier than you may think. The meat’s juicy flavors and texture makes it an ideal match for many different wines from around the world. Both rich reds and delicate whites pair well with turkey meat and we’re here to tell you the best options!
What wine goes with turkey?
When it comes to pairing wine with turkey there really are no rules. As the cultural symbol of Thanksgiving in America, turkey evokes memories, warm feelings, and gratitude; something for which every wine is appropriate.
Although Thanksgiving is the obvious day of turkey indulgence, you can make turkey any day of the year. The next time you make turkey, try pairing these white and white wines.
Red wines to pair with turkey
Red wine is an excellent choice of red wine to pair with turkey. Why? Because the wine has a high acidity level that combines with the juicy flavors of the meat to compliment each other flawlessly. But don’t just take our word for it, try a few of these excellent bottles of red wine the next time you eat turkey.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is the most popular light bodied red wine. These type of wine grapes originated in Burgundy, France and grow best in cooler climates. Pinot Noir wine typically has an ABV content around 11-13.5%. This dry wine is medium bodied and contains a low tannin count.
Brewer Clifton Pinot Noir 2017: Brewer-Clifton was born from Greg Brewer’s vision to produce world class wines from California’s Sta. Rita Hills appellation. Focusing on the Burgundian roots of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Brewer pays homage to France while forging an independent style that is uniquely Californian. The resulting wines embrace the power, pedigree and richness of Sta. Rita Hills that have become the trademark style of Brewer-Clifton.
Windrun Santa Rita Hills 2018: Opulent black-cherry, boysenberry and concentrated hibiscus aromas meet with star anise on the nose of this bottling. The palate combines rich and dark strawberry flavors with a red-plum tang, enhanced further by pinches of oregano, thyme and pine needle.
Copain Tous Ensemble Pinot Noir 2017: The goal for this blend is a wine that is true to the Copain style of being an elegant expression of Pinot Noir, yet a bit more friendly to drink upon release. On the nose are screaming aromatics: hints of pomegranate and anise, and, as the wine opens up, strawberry and black tea emerge. This wine is plush on the entry, but given tension by its fine grain tannin and nervy acid and pairs perfectly with turkey.
Illahe Pinot Noir: The aromas of the 2019 Illahe Vineyards Willamette Valley Pinot Noir begin with strawberry, tamarind, and blackberry then broaden along the palate to include chalk, tobacco leaf, chocolate, and earth. The acid supports a complete yet not overwhelming tannin balanced between skin and oak. The wine retains its velvet mouthfeel through a process of clarification by racking. For an entry level pinot, this wine is a great value and will last 6 to 12 years under the best conditions.
Merlot
Merlot, meaning 'The Little Blackbird' in French, is the second most popular wine in America, after Cabernet Sauvignon. The Merlot grapes arrived in the U.S. in the mid 19th century. Merlot has a low tannin level, which means it has a smooth, velvety constancy in the mouth and is very easy to drink. This type of wine has an ABV content of around 13% but can reach 14.5% when the grapes are grown in a warmer climate like Australia, California, or Chile.
Grab a bottle of merlot and you'll see why this red wine pairs so well with turkey. Merlot has fruit froward flavors which pair well with either white or dark meat.
Griffons De Pichon Baron Pauillac: The wine Les Griffons de Pichon Baron is a Red wine produced in the Bordeaux region in France, by Château Pichon Baron. This 2018 vintage comes from the Pauillac appellation. The bouquet consists of black and red fruits, roasting, licorice and leather. The Pauillacs are vigorous and tannic, which softens with age which allows the tannins to melt and give a nice and round structure.
Kennedy Shah Merlot: Supple and elegant with a polished core of ripe plum and wild berry flavors, showing hints of fresh earth, wilted rose, cedar, and strawberry jam. A deliciously pleasant finish that pairs well with turkey.
Kendall Jackson Merlot: Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Merlot red wine consists of intricate layers of black cherry, plum, currant, and wild berry with a subtle hint of spice. The soft, and elegant tannins of this Bordeaux varietal carry these aromas and flavors to a long, silky and lingering finish.
White wines to pair with turkey
Don't leave out the possibility of pairing white wines with turkey. You can't go wrong with either dry or sweet wine and juicy turkey meat. White wine is also a great compliment to sides like mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. Try these white wines with your next turkey dinner for unforgettable flavors.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is the most popular white wine in the world, and for good reason. It's an easy wine to drink, since it's not overly dry or too sweet. A good bottle of Chardonnay doesn't have to be expensive. Good quality Chardonnay can be purchased for around $20, which is one of the reasons it's so popular. This white grape variety is one of the three main grapes that's commonly used to make Champagne. In fact, blanc de blanc is exclusively made with Chardonnay grapes.
William Fevre Chablis Champs Royaux 2018: Very fresh bouquet with notes of citrus and white fleshed fruit, with a very slightly oaky finish. Fresh and supple, the wine is marked by mineral notes that are typical of the appellation.
La Crema Chardonnay: Aromas of lemon blossom, honeysuckle, and yellow plum are followed by flavors of fresh nectarine, apricot, and ripe pear. The 2018 vintage presents juicy acidity and a vibrant finish.
Sauvignon Blanc
A popular white wine, Sauvignon blanc is known for its crisp, dry, refreshing flavors. Depending on where and how it was made, it can also give off notes of sweet floral, or earthy grass. This type of wine originated in the wine growing region of Bordeaux in France.
Matanzas Creek Sauvignon Blanc 2018: A powerful and complex wine, Journey Sauvignon Blanc offers a symphony of aromas and flavors of white peach, grapefruit, lemon blossom, and honey suckle. Smooth and polished, the finish is long and elegant with intriguing notes of exotic spice and ginger tea.
Weed Cellars: Sauvignon Blanc: A California Central Coast jewel. Honeydew melon, grapefruit, and citrus notes on the palate, followed by passion fruit and lime zest. This is a perfectly balanced expression of the Sauvignon Blanc varietal.
Barefoot Sauvignon Blanc: Bursting with all the crisp flavors of refreshing honeydew melons, sweet nectarines, and juicy peaches, Barefoot Sauvignon Blanc is a dry, aromatic white wine that offers a soft, delicious finish. Finished with notes of zesty lime and summer pears, our Sauvignon Blanc pairs perfectly with white turkey meat.
Whichever wine you pair with turkey, we're sure you'll love it! Wine and turkey go together surprisingly well and you really can't go wrong with any wine choice.
Interested in learning more about wine? Check out our other blog posts:
How to open wine without a wine opener
How long does boxed wine last?
