If you follow conventional wisdom and the most basic of wine pairing “rules, ” turkey is most commonly paired with a white wine, but red wine drinkers shouldn’t despair. The popular bird is rather versatile and lends itself to pairing with a variety of different wines. In general, your selection of spices and cooking method can really help direct what wines will pair best with your chosen turkey entree. A good rule of thumb to remember is that the spicier you go, the sweeter the wine should be to help cut down that heat.
White and Sparkling Wines for Turkey
A variety of white and sparkling wines will work well with any turkey dish. You can find excellent wine pairings for everything from Thanksgiving dinner to turkey sandwich leftovers.
Chardonnay and Chablis
When in doubt, a Chardonnay is often a safe bet with most turkey dishes. A roast turkey main course encrusted with herbs would pair nicely with a Chardonnay. Note that the flavour profiles can differ greatly if the wine is from California where heavy emphasis on the use of oak is common. Look for wines commonly referred to as “oak bombs,” which is a reference to how buttery a Chardonnay tastes. A heavily oaked or buttery Chardonnay can be overpowering for some wine drinkers if that is not your personal preference. For a more crisp, almost fruity Chardonnay, consider a Chablis, which is a French wine made with Chardonnay grapes. Other Bourgogne wines, or “White Burgundy” wines, are also made with Chardonnay grapes in France.
Riesling or Gewürztraminer
Use turkey in a number of spicy dishes like chilli, tacos, and meatloaf. With any turkey dish with Asian spices or pumped up heat, you’ll find wines like a Riesling or Gewürztraminer may be your best bet. Because these wines come in different sweetness levels, you can play off the heat in your main course, or personal preference on sweetness levels. If you’re unfamiliar with German Riesling, resources like Wine Folly have comprehensive sections devoted to the nuances of each wine and its various styles.
German Rieslings and Gewürztraminers are often considered the best, but you can also find good options produced in other places, including Washington, France (Alsace), and New Zealand.
Sparkling Wines
Never underestimate the versatility of a sparkling wine or Champagne. Sparkling wine with a Thanksgiving dinner is definitely a winner — including a deep fried turkey!
Rosé and Red Wines That Pair with Turkey
If you don’t prefer a white or sparkling wine with your turkey, opt for a lighter red wine or rosé which will also pair well with a variety of turkey dishes. BBQ or grilled turkey, like turkey burgers, work well with a number of varietals. The main thing to remember with red wines is to avoid heavy tannins and high alcohol options.
Beaujolais Nouveau
This light and fruity red is made from the Gamay grape and is conveniently released in France during the third week of November each year, making it popular for Thanksgiving dinner. Beaujolais Nouveau can also be a great wine to accompany cold turkey, like turkey sandwiches or a turkey salad — especially ones with cranberry and other fruit elements. If you serve a turkey breast with a good mustard sauce, or a turkey broccoli bake, for dinner one night, consider a Beaujolais Nouveau as well.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is another lighter red wine that is rather flexible with turkey dishes. If you’re cooking a turkey breast with herbs or a Marsala sauce, Pinot Noir is a good option. Mustard or Parmesan cheese based sauces are also worthy matches or Pinot Noir. Consider a turkey burger with a Dijon mustard and Parmesan cheese crust to go with a nice glass of Pinot Noir.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel is an ideal option for Thanksgiving dinner and other turkey dishes, especially those with heavy sauces. The most important element to remember when picking a Zinfandel is to watch its alcohol content closely. Zinfandels can range from lighter and lower alcohol options to full “alcohol bombs”. Since turkey is already known for the sleepy side-effects of tryptophan, the last thing you want to do is serve a high-alcohol wine, otherwise your dinner guests will be knocked out before you plate dessert.
By: Erin De Santiago Certified Specialist in Wine
(Grabbed from: http://wine.lovetoknow.com/best-wines/best-wine-turkey)