What Wine Goes With Turkey?
By Bordeaux Brian for Pair It & Share It · Published
BOTTOM LINE
Turkey is mild, but a holiday table is full of strong flavors: cranberry, stuffing, sweet potatoes, gravy. Choose versatile, fruity wines with good acidity and soft tannin. Pinot Noir and Beaujolais (Gamay) are the classic reds; Zinfandel suits a smoky or deep-fried bird. For white, choose Chardonnay or Riesling; sparkling wine works with everything.
Quick decision
- Roast turkey with all the sides→ Pinot Noir or Beaujolais
- Smoked or deep-fried turkey→ Zinfandel
- White-meat lovers→ Chardonnay
- Sweet sides and cranberry→ Off-dry Riesling
- One bottle for everyone→ Dry sparkling wine or rosé
Why light reds win
Heavy, tannic reds dry out lean turkey breast and clash with cranberry. Pinot Noir and Gamay have bright red fruit, low tannin and enough acidity for rich gravy.
Whites that handle the sides
Chardonnay suits butter, gravy and creamy sides. Off-dry Riesling handles sweet potatoes, cranberry and spice.
Planning for a crowd
Offer one red, one white and one sparkling so guests can choose. A standard 750 ml bottle pours about five 5-ounce glasses.
| Turkey style | Best bet | Also good |
|---|---|---|
| Classic roast | Pinot Noir | Chardonnay |
| Smoked | Zinfandel | Syrah |
| Deep-fried | Sparkling wine | Zinfandel |
| With cranberry and sweet sides | Off-dry Riesling | Beaujolais |
Common questions
- What is the best Thanksgiving wine?
- Pinot Noir is the most popular choice. Beaujolais, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Riesling and sparkling wine are all excellent.
- Red or white with turkey?
- Both. A light red like Pinot Noir or a full white like Chardonnay work equally well; serve both for a crowd.
Choosing a glass? See the Pinot Noir wine glasses its makers document, in the free Wine Glass Finder.
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About the author. Bordeaux Brian brings more than 30 years of wine experience and firsthand experience in vineyards and wine regions around the world. His focus is practical: helping people make better wine decisions without the intimidation.