Thanksgiving is just around the corner so many of us are making preparations for a holiday dinner. What type of wine we serve will depend upon the preparation of the turkey. For example, wines that best accompany a smoked turkey differ from those that pair with a traditional roasted turkey. For those deep frying your turkey, this requires other wines. As a lover of smoked turkey, I'll start there.
Smoked Turkey
Smoking
imparts bold flavors so a smoked turkey requires a bold wine. If you’re a red lover, I would recommend a
Syrah. A good Syrah offers a range of
deep complex flavors that can stand up to the smoking process. In fact, Syrah often has a smoke profile with nuances
of bacon, spicy notes of white or black pepper and black fruits. All of these partner nicely with a smoked
meat.
While
Zinfandel would work with smoked turkey, Zins have high alcohol content. Assuming most Thanksgiving celebrations will
start with pre-dinner holiday libations, I’m hesitate to recommend Zinfandel
for this reason. No one wants a
Thanksgiving that involves over-drinking.
Nonetheless, in moderation, Zin’s big black fruit along with tobacco and
spice flavors can work beautifully with smoked meat.
If you’re
serving a smoked turkey and prefer to feature a white wine then this certainly
is yet another option. Like red wine, a
white paired with a smoked turkey needs to be able to stand up to the strong
smoke flavors. The best white wine to do
so would be a dry Riesling, preferably one with a little age on it.
Deep Fried Turkey
To choose a
wine for a fried turkey, one has to consider the pre-frying process. Recipes many times call for a rub (common
ingredients include brown sugar, paprika and chili powder). A
flavor-chocked rub demands a wine that can stand up to it such as a Syrah or
Zin. Other methods prior to frying
involve injecting the bird with a liquid such as lemon juice, butter, olive
oil, and ground herbs. If this method is
used an oaky and/or buttery Chardonnay would work, as would a Merlot for red lovers.
Roast Turkey
Classic
roast turkey and stuffing can work with a multitude of wines, pending the side
dishes served. If a traditional feast is
prepared (e.g. with a side of cinnamon-laced sweet potatoes, buttery mashed
potatoes and rich gravy), then I suggest a dry Gewurztraminer which can cut through
the richness and play well with the spice.
Less sweet side dishes and a roast turkey with stuffing pairs well with
a Pinot Noir.
Have a joyful day of giving thanks and stay safe...even if it's family.
