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You’ve prepped, basted, and slaved to produce a showstopping Turkey worthy of a Christmas menu. Understandably, finding the perfect wine to match can seem a daunting task – especially when it’s such a lean, versatile meat. But fear not, there are plenty of options for pairing turkey with wine this Christmas (and beyond).
From rich whites to light reds, festive sparkling wines and even rosé, you may be surprised to discover just how many different wines can pair beautifully with Turkey.
So read on as we answer the big turkey questions – what’s the best wine to pair with turkey? And as it’s white meat, does that mean you can’t serve red wine with turkey? – as well as offering a few of our favourite pairing suggestions.
Best wines with turkey – the basics
Serving turkey at this time of year is a tradition dating back to the 16th century, and today, 9 million turkeys are eaten every year at Christmas. That’s a lot of turkey!
But although most famously associated with the festive season, it’s also a popular meat enjoyed all year round thanks to its versatility. This lean poultry can be cooked and served in so many ways, from soups to pies, salads and burgers. This is where knowing which wine to choose can be tricky …
Here are our top turkey tips for success:
Turkey doesn’t have a lot of fat – so you have to be careful that the wine you choose doesn’t overpower the meat. The best wine pairings are usually either a medium-bodied red wine with sharp acidity and minimal tannins or a creamy, full-bodied white wine.
How turkey is cooked can also affect which wine it should be served with. Turkey can be roasted, baked, fried … the list goes on – and there are just as many wine pairings to match. So be mindful of the flavours you are adding during cooking (and even the sides you are serving) to find a wine that balances rather than overwhelms.
Our number one rule for wine pairing still applies: get a wine you love! There’s no point in serving a mature Pinot Noir with red fruits and bright acidity with your Christmas turkey if your favourite glass is normally a buttery Chardonnay. The aim with pairing is to maximise your enjoyment and that should also factor in the styles and regions that you enjoy the most.
Red wine with turkey
It’s a common “rule” of wine and food pairing that white meat should be served with white wine. But turkey can be an exception. Turkey, especially when served with rich, robust sides, can happily hold its own against some types of red wines.
We recommend choosing a light to medium red with refreshing acidity, fruit-forward character and minimal tannins.
Pinot Noir
A medium-bodied Pinot Noir provides a lovely balance for turkey. The wine’s high acidity, low tannins and flavours of red berries and cherries can complement the sweet, savoury and herbaceous elements of a traditional turkey dish.
The climate the grapes are grown in and the winemaker’s process can significantly impact Pinot Noir’s overall character – for a more delicate, elegant style, look for bottles from cooler climates such as Argentina’s Uco Valley or Italy’s Alto Adige region, but if you prefer a bolder Pinot Noir, look for bottles from warmer southern France and California’s Napa Valley. Both are popular choices for turkey.
Grenache/Garnacha
This grape variety, whether from Spain, France or elsewhere, is another excellent option. It is medium-bodied with a fruity, spicy profile that pairs well with turkey and classic sides. With juicy flavours of strawberry and black cherry and complementary hints of tobacco, citrus rind and anise, its refreshing acidity makes it food-friendly.
A Spanish Garnacha, in particular, can make a great pairing. It’s super smooth with a bigger body, and plenty of bold red fruit and spice – perfect for complementing turkey’s darker meat and the small mountain of pigs in blankets on the side.
White wine with turkey
White wines, with their bright acidity and range of flavours, can be fantastic choices to pair with turkey.
Chardonnay
An oaked Chardonnay, with its creamy texture and notes of butter, vanilla and stone fruits, can be a delightful match for roast turkey. The wine’s full body stands up to the richness of the bird and its sides, while its acidity keeps the palate fresh.
A sun-kissed bottle from Australia’s Margaret River wine region delivers intense flavours of melon, stone fruit and tropical fruit balanced out by subtle toasted notes. Despite its creamier texture and buttery hint from oak ageing, these wines still have a racy acidity that makes them work beautifully.
But if you prefer something lighter and brighter to pair with grilled turkey or a pan-fried turkey escalope, opt for a bottle from Burgundy’s Chablis region. Chardonnay wines from here are loved for their tart flavours of green apple and lemon, creamy texture and unique flinty minerality.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is another classic option for delivering a bright, refreshing flavour. Gooseberry, white peach, honeydew melon and grapefruit flavours leap from every glass, with distinct fresh herbal hints. This, along with the wine’s characteristically high, zesty acidity and dry style, makes it the perfect choice for serving with a perfectly cooked turkey dinner.
Riesling
Both dry and off-dry Riesling work remarkably well. Their high acidity and fruity flavours cut through the richness of the food, balancing the meal. From crisp, green apple flavours found in a dry style to the lush peachy sweetness in an off-dry version, Riesling is a versatile choice.
Can you drink sparkling wine with turkey?
Sparkling wine can be a delightful choice to serve with turkey – especially at Christmas. The bright, refreshing acidity and effervescence in sparkling wine can help cut through the richness of the turkey, roast potatoes, stuffing and pigs in blankets, creating a great balance of flavours.
Red, white and rosé sparkling wines make delicious pairings with a Christmas turkey, but the general rule is to avoid bone-dry or Brut styles unless the turkey has plenty of sweetness, such as lashing of cranberry sauce, or richness from a lake of gravy. The combination of bright acidity and red fruit flavours in a sparkling rosé can work well with turkey, especially if your meal includes cranberry sauce or other fruity accompaniments.
An easy-drinking red Brachetto d’Acqui, creamy sec, demi-sec or doux Champagne, and juicy pink Lambrusco all make festive options to serve at the table.
Can you drink rosé wine with turkey?
Rosé is often overlooked in food and wine pairings, but its unique characteristics can complement a turkey dinner nicely.
Dry rosé, balanced with bright acidity and subtle fruit flavours, can offer a refreshing counterpoint to a roast turkey. Its crispness can cut through the meal’s richness, while its subtle red fruit flavours complement a range of side dishes.
Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese and Grenache rosés are delicious, refreshing options with juicy, fruity red flavours and subtle spice hints. GSM blends, made from a combination of Grenache, Shiraz and Cinsault, are a richer option, with flavours of redcurrant and cherry, but a lighter Pinot Noir rosé is an equally delicious choice, thanks to its subtle hints of cherry and strawberry and vibrant acidity.
Whichever variety of rosé you pick, ensure it has a fuller body and plenty of juiciness and acidity to complement the delicately flavoured turkey meat and cut through those richer, fattier sides.
About the author
Nikki Jacoby
Nikki has spent all her career in wine, selling it first by the spoken word, then as a writer in the publishing world, before returning to work within the Laithwaites’ copy team for most of the last 30 years. Many years ago, she passed both halves of the diploma, but the greatest education in wine has been a full immersion in it, visiting the places and talking to its many passionate producers. As a topic, it will never cease to fascinate.
