Thanksgiving Dinner Wine Recommendations: What Pairs With Turkey?

Thanksgiving dinner is arguably the biggest feast Americans enjoy in a given year. More time and energy goes into planning and preparing this meal than any other. Choosing a wine to serve that not only pairs well with a dozen side dishes but also appeals to everyone from Aunt Margaret to Cousin Bobby can be a daunting task. In the spirit of Turkey Day, IntoWine.com posed the question to a panel of wine experts: What pairs well with Thanksgiving turkey?

“A Cotes du Rhone is generally versatile enough for the array of foods served at Thanksgiving.  I recommend the Domaine de Mavette Cotes du Rhone 2003, France, $17.99.  It’s a medium-bodied red wine that won’t ride roughshod over the turkey, and can still pair favorably with the other offerings usually served, like savory stuffing, rich potato dishes, green beans, sweet potatoes, and more.  Notes of blackberry and cassis are underscored by firm tannins, this wine should do the trick.” – Jennifer Hibbard, My Wines Direct, Napa, CA – Author of Wine Blog Through the Wine Glass
 

"Shiraz. My specific bottle recommendation is the Fruit Machine Shiraz (approx $7.99). Turkey is actually quite wine friendly and will pair well with many white and red wines. The problem is all the side dishes- sweet potatoes, stuffing, green beans, cranberry sauce, etc. You need something abundantly fruit, rich and supple textured. Aussie Shiraz is just the ticket." - Efrain Madrigal, Wine Director, Sam’s Wines & Spirits, Chicago, Highland Park and Downer’s Grove, Illinois

"German or Austrian Riesling. My recommendation is the 2005 Walter Buchegger Loessterrassen (approx $15). Great acidity, nice richness and beautiful fruit and mineral driven aromatics make this wine a great accompaniment to the myriad of sweet, salty and rich dishes served along side Turkey on Thanksgiving." - Mulan Chan, Rhône and French Regional Buyer, K&L Wine Merchants

"Red Burgundy/Pinot Noir. My recommendation is the Alain Burguet Bourgogne Rouge 'Mes Favorites' (approx $35). Most wines go just fine with turkey. I just happen to like Pinot noir a lot! Its lighter weight pairs well with fowl, and its elegance is the right thing for a special meal like Thanksgiving. There are hundreds of good Pinot Noirs from France and elsewhere, but I especially love the red Burgundies from Alain Burguet in Gevrey-Chambertin. His wines are sophisticated and generous - they push all of my Pinot buttons." - Mark Middlebrook, Paul Marcus Wines, Oakland, California

"Rosé Champagne. My recommendation is the Fleury Brut Rosé Champagne (Approximately $35).Thanksgiving presents a real pairing challenge, with flavors ranging from savory gravy to sweet potatoes; it is hard to find the perfect match. At home, we tackle the problem with rosé Champagne, which has enough cut for the gravy, enough fruit for the sweet potatoes and the delicacy and power to deal with all the flavors in between. The Fleury Rosé Champagne is made from Pinot Noir for Courteron, in the southern part of Champagne. They say proudly that their town is closer to Chablis than Reim, and that the style of wine owns as much to Burgundy as the stylish bottle does to the grand marques of Reims. The vineyards, which are all their own, are farmed 100% biodynamically, the strictest form of organic viticulture. The base wine is all from the 1999 vintage. In the glass it has a wonderful, fresh Pinot Noir nose of strawberry fruit and forest air intrigue. On the palate it has a great, small bubble texture with magnificent depth and terroir. We buy this direct from the Fleury, which allows us to sell it at a great price." - Gary Westby, Champagne Buyer, K&L Wine Merchants

"2005 Errazuriz Wild Ferment Pinot Noir Casablanca Valley, Chile (approx $18): Notes of ripe cherries. Simple and lip-smacking good to moisten the turkey. Score: 87/100." - Natalie MacLean, author of the best selling book Red, White and Drunk All Over, offers a free e-newsletter at www.nataliemaclean.com..