Happy Thanksgiving! We hope you are having a wonderful time with your family and friends, gorging on turkey dinner and enjoying lots of your fabulous wine. It’s About Wine! will be open on Saturday October 10th of the Thanksgiving long weekend.
The best white wines to serve with turkey are a well-balanced Chardonnay (especially unoaked or low-oak styles for versatility), a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, or a fruity Riesling, all of which complement the turkey’s flavor and can also pair well with typical Thanksgiving side dishes. For a richer pairing, a full-bodied Viognier works well with gravy and mashed potatoes. A good Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris can be a suitable pairing for turkey, offering a refreshing and lighter alternative to Chardonnay.
Always have Rosé on the Thanksgiving table. It goes well with everything from turkey to the things we know everyone really loves — the huge variety of side dishes. With a Thanksgiving spread that is loaded with platters of food more rich and buttery than the last, it is good to have something to brighten up your palate. A crisp dry Rosé served well chilled is the answer!
Yes, you can serve red wine with turkey. Serve a lighter red with moderate acidity, such as Pinot Noir, to cut through the richness. The light berry brightness of red wine for Thanksgiving contrasts well with the heartiness of the classic menu. Some loud and bold foods like bacon-studded brussel sprouts want intense, equally loud wines like a Bordeaux Style, Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz.
Having said all that the most important thing is that you enjoy what’s in your glass!
