What wine goes with turkey?
Pinot Noir
Grappi pairing score: how well the match works, on a 100-point scale. Grappi's own assessment.
The best wines for turkey
Pinot Noir
Light red
Gentle tannin and red-berry fruit suit lean turkey and bend around sweet-savoury sides.
Beaujolais / Gamay
Light red
Juicy, low-tannin and best served slightly chilled, the ultimate no-fuss holiday red.
Chardonnay
White
A rounded white matches white meat and creamy sides; keep the oak in check.
Why it works
Thanksgiving is less about the turkey than the table around it, cranberry, stuffing, gravy, sweet potato. The wine has to be a diplomat: fruity enough to meet the sweet notes, acidic enough to cut the richness, and low enough in tannin that it does not clash with lean poultry. Pinot Noir threads that needle better than almost anything, which is why it is the perennial holiday pick. For a mixed table, a dry Rosé or an off-dry Riesling will please nearly everyone.
Serving tips
- Serve lighter reds slightly cool (13–15°C), it makes them taste fresher next to warm, savoury food.
- With plenty of cranberry sauce, a touch of sweetness helps: reach for off-dry Riesling or a fruity Zinfandel.
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