Thanksgiving wine pairings
When selecting wine to serve with the medley of flavors at Thanksgiving dinner, the key is to balance tastes and intensity of flavors, and match the wine not necessarily just to your main dish, but also to the way it’s prepared, as the seasonings used or cooking method can affect a pairing selection.
If turkey is prepared with a fruit-based or sweet sauce, an off-dry white such as Riesling or Gewürztraminer can be a good match. If it’s drizzled with buttery juices, the buttery character of Chardonnay may be a good partner.
While turkey itself is quite wine-friendly and can pair well with many whites and reds, it’s often the side dishes served with a traditional turkey dinner that throw in more savory to sweet flavors. A rich, fruity red such as Shiraz or Zinfandel can complement strongly flavored side dishes. Many people also choose Beaujolais at Thanksgiving time – a light-bodied, dry red wine with fruity nuances.