It’s important to take into consideration that not all turkey dinners are made equal. Here are ten wines that pair well with turkey based on how it’s prepared.
So, you’ve just smoked a succulent turkey, its smoky aroma filling the air and its golden-brown skin begging to be devoured. But what wine should you choose to accompany this culinary masterpiece? Fear not, fellow food and wine enthusiasts, for I’ve compiled a guide to the best wine pairings for smoked turkey, designed to elevate your dining experience to new heights.
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- Syrah/Shiraz: This full-bodied red wine boasts a rich, jammy profile with notes of blackberry, plum, and blackcurrant. Its robust tannins perfectly complement the smoky flavors of the turkey, creating a harmonious balance on the palate.
- Chardonnay: This full-bodied white wine offers a creamy texture and buttery flavors, complemented by hints of vanilla, butterscotch, and oak. The richness of the Chardonnay stands up beautifully to the smokiness of the turkey, while its acidity cuts through the fat, leaving your taste buds refreshed.
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- Pinot Noir: This elegant red wine showcases delicate flavors of red berries, cherries, cinnamon, and cola. Its lighter body and smooth tannins provide a delightful contrast to the smoky turkey, creating a harmonious interplay of flavors.
- Malbec: Hailing from Argentina, this bold red wine offers intense flavors of plums, blackberries, and violets. Its robust tannins and full body pair exceptionally well with the smoky notes of the turkey, resulting in a rich and satisfying experience.
- Tempranillo: This Spanish varietal boasts a medium body and flavors of red fruit, leather, and tobacco. Its earthy notes complement the smokiness of the turkey, while its balanced tannins provide a smooth and enjoyable finish.
- Gewürztraminer: This aromatic white wine is known for its spicy and floral aromas, along with flavors of lychee, rose petals, and ginger. Its sweetness and acidity balance the smokiness of the turkey, creating a complex and intriguing flavor profile.
- Cabernet Franc/Merlot Blend: This versatile blend offers a harmonious combination of red fruit flavors, earthy notes, and a touch of spice. Its medium body and balanced tannins complement the smoky turkey without overpowering its delicate flavors.
- Hard Cider: For those who prefer a non-alcoholic option, a dry, complex hard cider can be an excellent accompaniment to smoked turkey. Its crisp acidity cuts through the fat, while its fruity notes complement the smoky flavors.
Beyond the Bottle: Additional Tips for Pairing Wine with Smoked Turkey
- Consider the Seasoning: If your smoked turkey is heavily seasoned with herbs and spices, opt for a wine with a bolder profile to match the intensity of the flavors.
- Think about the Sides: Are you serving sweet or savory side dishes? Choose a wine that complements the overall flavor profile of your meal.
- Personal Preference Matters: Ultimately, the best wine pairing is the one that you enjoy the most. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find the combination that tickles your taste buds.
Choosing the right wine for smoked turkey can elevate your dining experience to new heights. Whether you opt for a classic Syrah/Shiraz, a creamy Chardonnay, or one of the other fantastic options mentioned above, let your taste buds guide you on a delicious journey. Remember, there’s no right or wrong answer, just a world of flavor waiting to be explored. So, grab your glass, raise a toast, and enjoy the perfect pairing of smoked turkey and wine!
Wine for a smoked turkey
A gorgeous smoked turkey is even more delightful when it arrives ready to eat and requires no preparation on your part. The flavors are rich and somewhat sweet. You’ll need a stronger wine to hold up to a smoked turkey.
The combination of 3 varieties, –Grenache, Syrah and Mourvédre,– make up the blend. You’ll detect a range of medium to full-bodied flavor and taste both red and black fruit flavors due to the mixture of varieties. These wines are a perfect match for a rich piece of meat because of their complexity. And yet, they are still light enough for poultry.
Zinfandel is the traditional wine to pair with turkey because it has a lengthy history in America and because its flavors of raspberry and sweet tobacco go well with rich, darker, or smoked turkey meat. It also will do great alongside a honeybaked ham. Zinfandel tends to be much more fruit-forward which is why is does well with sweet meat. The best Zinfandels generally hail from these 5 regions: Sonoma, Napa, Lodi, Santa Barbara and the Sierra Foothills.
Love savory, bone-dry wines? Sangiovese-based wines from Umbria and Tuscany have earthy notes of terracotta and hints of tomato and cherry. Expect tingling acidity and moderately high tannin that will compliment homemade gravy like a dream. The original Sangiovese wines will be anything but a vanilla bomb because they were hardly ever aged in oak. In short, they are a savory wine lover’s dream.
The 2010 vintage was awesome for Sangiovese.
Wine for a perfectly baked turkey…
A perfectly prepped turkey is truly a revelation. Consider yourself lucky. Now, all you need is the right wine to sip alongside of it.
Garnacha might just be the unsung wine of Thanksgiving. It tastes a lot like strawberries, raspberries, and candied hibiscus, with a noticeable dustiness to it. When matched with turkey and gravy, Garnacha falls nicely into the role of the cranberry sauce.
What wine goes with the turkey?
FAQ
What kind of wine goes with smoked turkey?
Does turkey go with red or white wine?
What red wine is best for smoked meat?
Does Pinot Grigio go with turkey?
What wine goes well with smoked turkey?
The wine pairs especially well with smoked turkey and spicier, herbier flavors. However, a dry Riesling also pairs splendidly with sweeter items such as sweet potatoes. If you would like to emphasize your turkey’s carefully added, detailed and rich flavors, Riesling is the way to go.
How to choose a good wine for a turkey dinner?
That means acidity is your friend! It helps to refresh the palete and cut through all those strong flavors that are competing for attention on the plate. Wines with high and medium acidity levels are therefore well suited to coping with all of the competing flavors in a turkey dinner. 2. Watch the tannins Turkey is one of the leaner meats.
What wine goes well with turkey & oyster stuffing?
Barron also recommends the Légende R Bordeaux Blanc, a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, paired with oven-roasted turkey and oyster stuffing: “The high minerality and slight salinity dance very nicely with the salt in the oysters and the herbaceousness of the stuffing.
What wine is best for Thanksgiving?
We asked a handful of experts to recommend their go-to wines for turkey-centric meals, and they did not disappoint—from bright, zippy Columbia Valley Riesling to an Israeli red blend, these are the top wines to stock for your Thanksgiving gathering . Why Trust The Spruce Eats?