Pairing wine with a traditional roasted turkey on Thanksgiving Day is actually not as difficult as it seems. The meat’s succulent flavour profile and juicy texture make it the perfect match for an array of diverse grape varieties, hailing from regions all over the globe.
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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. Old World expressions, particularly from France, will generally show more minerality and citrus-driven notes, while New World expressions, from the USA, Australia, or South America, will tend to show more juicy, stone fruit flavours. Creamy oaked Chardonnay will pair nicely with buttery side dishes.
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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. Look to Old World regions for earthier expressions, noted with mushroom and tart cherry flavours. For juicy, more fruit-forward bottlings, look no further than the United States, Australia, and other New World growing areas.
No holiday is a true celebration until a bottle of bubbly is 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 everything in between.
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