On Thanksgiving night, the family is packed close around the table; the mingling scents of the meal fill the air. As you are about to dig in, the thought crosses your mind, "Does merlot go with turkey?" Common practices in wine paring can be confusing and with the large number of favorable sides that tend to presented with turkey, picking the right wine is even harder. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Whites
Traditionally speaking, white wines are recommended for consumption with most poultry. The goal of wine paring is for tastes to complimentary. Consider some of the aspects to consider in our pairings. Turkey, while potentially served in a variety of ways, is commonly considered a heavier, spiced food with plenty of herbs for flavor.
White wines are known for their over all lighter taste and refreshing style.
Chardonnay is a popular white wine that has enormous utility. Known for its "malleability," Chardonnay's flavor is different from vineyard to vineyard, believed to take its flavors from the native soil. Common aromas reported include buttery, smoky, and fruity. Smokier Chardonnays tend to go with a fully dressed turkey, the strong flavors of the herbs and spices enhanced by the wine's earthy tones. Strong oaken tones of many French Chardonnays mutes stronger fruit flavors and manages well with other strong flavors.
Riesling also makes an excellent turkey wine. With its balanced sweetness and acidity, Riesling makes for a very compatible wine, suitable for multiple preparations. Common aromas reported include flowers, tropical fruit, and mineral stone. The medium sweetness Spätlese Riesling is common American favorite, but the drier Kabinnet variety will suit the bird better.
Reds
Against common tradition, many aficionados have bidden the public to pay no mind to the "rules" of wine paring. While once the rule was "white wine with white-meat, red wine with red meat," there are now a number of red wines that are well paired with turkey.
A traditional first harvest wine of the Old World, Beaujolais Nouveau, is ready each year just in time for Thanksgiving. Hailed for its fruity simplicity and ease to drink, Beaujolais wines pair well with a variety of flavors and is enjoyed by even inexperienced wine drinkers. Beaujolais Crus is a more complex, quality-crafted wine and can substitute for the Nouveau for the more experienced.
Pinot Noir is a rich and often complex wine. According to winepros.org, Pinot Noir is one of the most difficult varieties with which to deal. Those that stick to it however produce a memorable wine indeed. Classically noted for it's cinnamon and sassafras aromas and earthy bouquets, lighter seasoned turkey goes best with this red, as best to not mask the complexities in the wine.
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