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Thanksgiving Day Wine: What Wines To Serve With Turkey Dinner

by NowPublic Staff | November 23, 2010 at 10:56 am

1983 views | 16 Recommendations | 3 comments

Wine Pairings With Thanksgiving Day Dinner: What Wines To Serve With Turkey, Stuffing, Gravy: Red vs White; Pinot Noir vs Riesling

You have your Thanksgiving Day menu set or maybe you are going somewhere for Thanksgiving Day dinner and aren't sure what wine or wines to choose - so what Thanksgiving day wine should one pick?

Well, there is the short answer. If you like Red wine serve Pinot Noir. If you like white wine pick a Riesling.

Riesling will also pair well with any dish at a Thanksgiving or holiday table. If the label says 'Kabinett', the wine is made from the earliest harvest. That means the Riesling will be a dryer wine. A Spätlese is a bit sweeter, but still retains the dryness of the wine — and is usually a favorite in American homes. An Auslese will be even sweeter and makes a better match for the dessert than the turkey.

As for the Pinot Noir it is the classic choice for Thanksgiving turkey.

Pinot Noir’s subtle earthy undertones and often mushroom inspired flavors surround the fruit features of the wine and tend to show well with the traditional flavors of turkey and stuffing

That is the short version, however, there are lots of factors that could influence one's choices, such as the side dishes accompanying the Turkey dinner, and the type of gravy and stuffing being served.

I like to focus on bringing out the flavors of the meal which often means trying to pair my wines to compliment the flavors of the stuffing and gravy.

In that case if I was picking a Red wine I may go with a Syrah or Shiraz that has a peppery taste to it to bring out the flavors of the gravy and stuffing.

If I was choosing a White wine then I might pick a German Gewurztraminer which has a slightly sweeter flavor that draws out the flavors of the gravy and stuffing - makes the "pop" so to speak.

Sparkling wine is always a safe bet but for some reason it does not "feel" like Thanksgiving for me.

The Thanksgiving Day Wine Video below has a completely selection suggestion

1 See all footage | View Slideshow

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Jordan Yerman

at 10:59 on November 23rd, 2010

Good call on the Riesling.

YankeeJim

at 11:22 on November 23rd, 2010

Good and timely post. Nice break from bad news.

Barry ORegan

at 17:44 on November 23rd, 2010

The only whine we serve is when some family members invite us for Thanksgiving and we have to cook it ourselves because if thanksgiving falls during Friday to Sunday, we are hooped cause they are orthodox jews. Ah family whatta ya gonna do.