Roast Turkey Wine Pairing – The Best Wines for Roast Turkey

Is there anything better than a perfectly cooked roast turkey?

The aroma of herbs and spices wafting through the air as it roasts in your oven often leaves one’s mouth watering.

Sure, traditional stuffing is always a great accompaniment, but what about the perfect beverage for this holiday favorite?

We all know that wine adds an extra special touch to any meal.

But with so many varieties available, where does one start when trying to select the best wines for roast turkey?

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Riesling are all excellent choices for complementing roast turkey. Pinot Noir has a light body and earthy notes that pair well with the savory herbs used in preparing the bird. Chardonnay is slightly fuller-bodied and brings out the sweetness of the roasted vegetables served alongside. Riesling is a crisp white wine with hints of apple and pear that helps to balance out the richness of gravy and stuffing.

Well, fret no more – we’re here to help guide you through this process!

In this blog post, we’ll be discussing different types of wines that pair best with roast turkey and offering some suggestions on which ones might work best for your holiday feast.

So pop open that bottle and let’s get started!

Read Also: 15 Best Herbs and Spices for Turkey Stuffing

Why Consider Serving Wine With Roast Turkey?

Serving wine with roast turkey is a great way to elevate your dinner experience.

Wine pairs well with turkey because of its delicate and slightly sweet flavors. The perfect pairing will bring out the best in both the food and the wine, creating a special meal that everyone at the table will enjoy.

Wine can also help to make any gathering more festive, and it adds a nice level of sophistication when hosting dinner parties or holiday celebrations.

With an impressive variety of wines available for all occasions, you can easily find bottles that match your budget and taste preferences.

Plus, selecting the right wines for roast turkey gives you something delicious to look forward to after all the cooking is done!

The Best Red Wines For Roast Turkey

When it comes to roast turkey, red wines can really be a great choice. A well-balanced Pinot Noir is an excellent pairing for roasted or smoked turkey legs.

A nice French Beaujolais or even a young Merlot from Australia would also work very nicely with the juicy dark meat of the bird.

You could also opt for something more robust like a Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon if you wanted to add some complexity to your meal and bring out the buttery notes in the stuffing. If you’re serving something with cranberry sauce, then Gamay is definitely worth considering as it pairs perfectly with tart flavors.

And of course, there’s always Chianti – this Italian classic is incredibly versatile and can stand up beautifully to most dishes involving poultry!

The Best White Wines For Roast Turkey

White wines are always a great pair for roast turkey as they bring out the flavor of the bird.

The tartness of white wines balances out the richness and savory flavors of roasted turkey and can even help to highlight its subtle sweetness.

When it comes to choosing the best white wine for roast turkey, there is no one-size-fits-all answer as it really depends on personal preference and how you season your bird. However, some popular choices include chardonnay, riesling, viognier, sauvignon blanc, and pinot gris.

These types of white wines have mild acidity levels that don’t overpower the flavor palette while still providing a nice balance with richer sides such as mashed potatoes or creamed vegetables. For dishes made with herbs and spices such as sage or rosemary, dryer styles work best – unoaked chardonnay or aged riesling is a good option here.

Other Wines To Pair With Roast Turkey

While red, white, and rosé wines are some of the most popular pairings for roast turkey dishes, there are other types of wines that can also work well.

Sweet wines like Riesling or Muscat can make a great companion to sweetly glazed roasted turkeys or stuffing. Sparkling wines such as Cava and Prosecco can bring a refreshing note to the meal.

Fortified wines, such as Port and Sherry, can add layers of complexity when served with dark meat selections.

And don’t forget dessert! A late-harvest Riesling is an outstanding choice to accompany pumpkin pie or cranberry sauce.

The Best Rosé Wines For Roast Turkey

When it comes to rosé wines and roast turkey, the best bet is to find something with a bit of acidity. You want a balance between fruity and acidic notes, as this will pair nicely with the roasted bird.

Try looking for wines from Southern France such as Provence or Languedoc rosés. These are usually made from Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault grapes; bright and light enough for pairing but also packed with flavor that won’t be overshadowed by your meal.

If you’re in the mood for something more exotic, opt for an Italian blend of Sangiovese and Pinot Noir grapes like Maremma Toscana Rosato DOC or an Austrian Blauer Zweigelt wine which is full-bodied yet fruity – just what you need to cut through the rich meatiness of the turkey!

5 Tips For Picking A Wine For Roast Turkey

Picking a wine for roast turkey can be quite tricky. There are so many options, it may seem overwhelming! Here are some tips that will help you make the right choice:

1. Think about the flavors of your roast turkey dish – consider what type of spices and herbs have been used in the recipe, as well as any sauces or sides that accompany it. Look for wines that have similar flavor profiles in order to bring out all the delicious components of your meal.
2. Consider how sweet or dry you want the wine to be – if you’re serving a rich and savory turkey, then opt for a drier red such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir; if your meal is lighter, then choose something slightly sweeter such as Zinfandel or Gewurztraminer.
3. Balance between body and acidity – both white and red wines should have enough body to stand up against the heavier elements on your plate, but don’t forget about acidity too; this helps to balance out richer dishes like roasted meats with its refreshing bite!
4. Think about texture – especially important when selecting white wines; look for ones that offer those creamy characteristics when pairing with poultry-based dishes like roast turkey. Try Chardonnay or Viognier if you want something, particularly smooth and buttery tasting!
5. Don’t forget sparkling wines – they can make excellent pairings with delicate, flavorful roasts like turkey because they add an extra layer of lightness while still having plenty of character on their own!

Serving Temperature And Glassware

Serving temperature and glassware can make or break the overall experience of pairing wine with roast turkey. The right glass can help to enhance the aroma, taste, and texture of the chosen wine.

For both red and white wines, try to serve in a medium-sized bowl-shaped glass that will allow for optimal oxygenation when swirling. Red wines should be served at room temperature (around 60°F), while whites should be chilled slightly (around 45°F).

Rosé wines are best enjoyed cold but not ice cold; somewhere around 50°F is ideal for rosé. Serve them in a tulip-shaped flute if you want to keep your bubbles intact!

If possible, try to pair each variety of wine with its own glasses—this way guests can distinguish between different types of wines more easily.

Conclusion

Serving wine with roast turkey is a great way to enhance the flavor and experience of your meal.

But what wine goes well with roast turkey?

When selecting a wine to pair with roast turkey, Pinot Noir is an excellent choice. Its light body and fruity flavors make it the perfect accompaniment for the savory flavor of roasted turkey. Chardonnay and Riesling also work well, as they provide more acidity to balance out the richness of the dish.

There are no hard-and-fast rules for pairing wine and food, so don’t worry about making the wrong choice. Just pick a bottle that you think will complement your roast turkey perfectly, serve it at the right temperature in appropriate glassware and enjoy!

If you want more guidance on selecting the perfect wine for roast turkey, follow our tips: consider what flavors are present in your dish, think about what style of wine you like best, select something that complements those flavors without overpowering them and make sure to serve it at its ideal temperature.

With these tips in mind, finding that perfect pairing won’t be too difficult!