Thanksgiving offers so many opportunities for wine pairing and celebration. The table is full of sides, flavors of the season and, of course, the turkey. Unlike everyday meals, Thanksgiving brings together tradition, passed-down recipes and, most importantly, family and friends. With so many dishes, options and tastes – selecting the right wine to complement the cornucopia can feel daunting. Should you pair to the protein? Pair with the sauce or sides or pair with the dominate flavors? These questions are common when pairing wine with the most anticipated meal of the year but selecting the right wine doesn’t need to be stressful or stuffy. To help you finalize your feast selections – two of our ABC wine experts, Nathan Dale and Paul Quaglini share their turkey pairing tips to help you select the right wine to serve alongside your Thanksgiving dinner.
While white wines tend to pair more easily with white meat turkey recipes, dark meat and more complex turkey preparations may go well with a light-bodied red wine or a richer, spicier red wine in the case of a spicy, earthy flavored dish.
Picks by Paul Quaglini Court of Master Sommelier Level 2, WSET Level 3, and Vinitaly International Italian Wine Ambassador
Specializes in wines from Italy
Lean more about Paul here. .
The good news is – turkey is tolerant! Both Nathan and Paul agree that turkey is a canvas protein with mild flavors, which makes for easy pairing. Think of turkey as a vessel that delivers the flavors that the chef imparts with rubs, seasonings, or preparation styles. Therefore, many different varietals can be both table and turkey friendly. A sparkling wine or a light-bodied gamay, for example, are go-to bottles to grab for your harvest meal. At the end of the day – if your friends and family surround your table, the food is delicious and the wine has alcohol, you’ve picked and paired well. In fact, there is no right or wrong varietal or style to pair with turkey. Instead, Paul and Nathan share some suggestions that can help guide your selection.
You should consider the method of preparation when making your wine choice. Turkey can be prepared in a variety of methods including roasting, deep frying or smoking. Each method produces different textures and tastes and has its own best pair. Roasting is the traditional Thanksgiving cooking method where a turkey is cooked in the oven to deliver juicy meat and mild flavors. Some chefs brine while others season and stuff – either way, try pairing a roasted turkey with a chardonnay, or a white Burgundy. The wine’s crisp acidity, minerality and fruit-forward flavors will bring out the best of a roasted bird while not overpowering the delicate preparation.
Deep frying is a more recent method for turkey preparation that has gained popularity thanks to the reliable tenderness and taste. A savory, fried turkey will be best complemented by a wine that also leads with flavor. If propane and a big pot are part of your Thanksgiving plans – make sure you have a few bottles of an off-dry riesling to serve with your turkey. The wine’s vivacity, striking aromatics and light body will drink perfectly alongside fried poultry. If you are choosing to smoke your turkey – pick a cabernet franc to create an unforgettable and enjoyable pairing. These wines generally feature dark, ripe fruit flavors along with earthy or spice notes that will sing when served with smoked turkey.
In addition to pairing towards the preparation, you will also want to stay light in your selections. Thanksgiving is a delicious, but dense meal. Generally, you will want to lean into lighter wines in both body and alcohol to balance the weight of the food. And finally – don’t forget about the leftovers. Isn’t that the reward for all the cooking and cleaning? We think so! We encourage you to not overthink the selection. Anything you have left in the fridge will work. But if you really want to elevate your after-holiday experience – an Oregon pinot noir, a pair of sweatpants and a plate of leftovers will make a worthy post-Thanksgiving treat.
Go Traditional with a Beaujolais – French Beaujolais are traditionally enjoyed during the fall harvest season and are a classic turkey-day wine to add to your table.
Open Several Wines – With the variety of flavors featured on a Thanksgiving table along with the diverse drinking preferences of your guests, having multiple options allows for choice and voice in pairing.
Pick Light – Select light-bodied wines to help balance the weight of the meal.
Chat with Our In-Store Wine Consultants – Unlike grocery chains, ABC stores have knowledgeable and friendly consultants that can assist you in selecting the perfect wine for your Thanksgiving meal.
Picks by Nathan Dale WSET level 3
Specializes in spirits, passionate about wine
Lean more about Nathan here.
What Wine Should You Serve With Turkey?
FAQ
What kind of wine do you serve with turkey?
Does turkey go better with red or white wine?
Do you drink red or white wine at Thanksgiving?
Can you drink Pinot Grigio with turkey?
What wine goes best with Turkey?
How the turkey is prepared can affect the kind of wine that will go best with it. For example, smoked turkey pairs well with Riesling, while pinot noir or chardonnay are wines that are ideal for oven-roasted turkey. You could even choose to baste your turkey with wine, and if you do, that same wine could be enjoyed during the meal.
Red vs White wine: Which is healthier?
The difference between red and white wine is the colour of the grapes which are used. To make white wine, grapes are pressed and skin, seeds and stems are removed before fermentation. However, to make red wine, the crushed red grapes are fermented with seeds, skin and stems. As a result, red wine is rich in plant compounds that are present in those skins such as tannins and resveratrol. Overall, red wine has slight edge over white because it has higher amounts of vitamins and minerals. Red wine helps in reducing heart disease risk, increase good HDL cholesterol and helps with diabetes. Red wine helps with cancer and eases joint pain.
What is the best wine for Thanksgiving?
The best wine for turkey, and the Thanksgiving meal generally, does not mean the most expensive wine. On the contrary, great wine can be found at all price points and from all around the world. And both red and white wines make great Thanksgiving turkey dinner pairings.
Is Pinot grigio good for Turkey?
Pinot Grigio is a light and dry white wine and will not enhance the flavour of your Turkey very well. What Pinot Grigio does well, however, is keep your mouth refreshed, along with quenching your thirst. I often compare Pinot Grigio to Coors Lite in that it is popular but not all that flavourful.