7 BEST WINE & TURKEY PAIRINGS
Pairing wine with Thanksgiving Day turkey is actually not as difficult as it seems. The meat’s succulent flavor profile and juicy texture make it the perfect match for an array of diverse grape varieties, hailing from various regions all over the globe. From rich, balanced whites, to earthy, fruit-driven reds, here's 7 (seven) of the BEST WINES to sip with turkey this Thanksgiving Day.
1. PINOT NOIR
For red wine lovers, Pinot Noir with turkey is a no brainer. The wine’s bright high acidity, as well as extreme versatility on the table, make it a solid choice for pairing not only with turkey, but also the handful of sides that will cover the rest of your plate.
2. CHARDONNAY
No matter which region you look to, you can’t go wrong in pairing Chardonnay with your turkey. Although the grape’s expressions vary worldwide, the wine’s crisp acidity, mineral undertones, and fruit-forward nature bring out the best that turkey has to offer.
3. CHAMPAGNE
No holiday is a true celebration until a bottle of bubbly gets popped, and Thanksgiving is no exception. As much as we love bubbles from other areas around the globe, for special holidays as such, we recommend springing for the real stuff. High in acid, insanely food-friendly, and just about as festive as it gets, Champagne might just be the best wine to sip with turkey-- as well as pre-dinner, post dinner, and every second in between.
4. RIESLING
There’s no better time to break your guests’ Riesling stereotypes than Turkey Day! Riesling is better than ever, proving to be one of the Thanksgiving Day dinner table’s most versatile wines. High in acid, abundant in minerality, and over delivering in versatility, we can’t think of a better wine to go with turkey, stuffing, and all of your other Thanksgiving dinner sides.
5. BEAUJOLAIS
Another popular choice for Thanksgiving turkey, this wine brings an assortment of pairing variations. The wine’s high acid, low tannins, and juicy mouthfeel make it one of the best bottles to pair with turkey.
6. SANGIOVESE
While not a classic a go-to wine like Pinot Noir or Beaujolais, Sangiovese can be an excellent choice for pairing with turkey. Its subtly spicy flare helps bring out more unique, savory flavors in your turkey preparation.
7. ZINFANDEL
This wine variety pairs exceptionally well with turkey. Zinfandel's fruit profile and body pairs well with both dark and light turkey cuts. The drink is the perfect choice of wine if you would like to go for a red with more oomph than Pinot Noir. It is best when paired with heavier meals and dishes.
* Tastic Spice is available HERE
Do me a favor? If you decide to be great and make this recipe, take a pic and share it on Instagram and tag me (@mrfoodtastic) and use the hashtag #mrfoodtastic so I can see just how amazing you are. I repost my favorite ones