Wine Selection: What to Drink With the Bird
Recommended Red Wines:
- Pinot Noir has always been a favorite Thanksgiving wine; it balances well with the flavors of the meal. Look for bottles from Oregon or California.
- Merlot’s soft texture and balanced fruit bring out the best in rich, traditional holiday foods.
- Syrahs are nice and fruity and will also pair well with ham or turkey.
- Zinfandel is a great choice for those of you who like a red a bit bigger than Pinot Noir
Recommended White Wines:
- Dry or semi-dry Riesling or Gewurztraminer is a perfect way to begin your feast. You can also pair with turkey and all the trimmings. Washington state makes some nice ones.
- Sauvignon Blanc is crisp, citrusy and very versatile: serve it as an aperitif and then keep pouring it throughout the meal. Good Sauvignon Blancs come from California and Washington State.
- Viogner is another good choice—a white wine with low levels of acidity and characterized by light floral flavors often with nuances of peaches and pears.
Other wines:
- Sparkling wines (or the great Champagnes) are always a perfect quaff to begin or end your feast—serve with appetizers or with dessert.
- For those who are not committed to reds or white, you may want to try a dry rosé or the annually released Beaujolais Nouveau. Check with your local wine merchant for the best selection.
