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What wine goes with turkey?

Expert wine advice from SommelierX

Turkey is the centerpiece of many festive meals, and the right wine can elevate the occasion. Turkey meat is lean and mild, sitting somewhere between chicken and duck in flavor intensity. The key challenge is matching wine to both the meat and the various accompaniments — from cranberry sauce to gravy, stuffing and roasted vegetables.

Top 3 wine recommendations

1

Pinot Noir

Red wine · Oregon / Burgundy

The ultimate turkey wine. Light enough for the lean meat, complex enough for the rich accompaniments.

2

Beaujolais Cru (Morgon)

Red wine · Beaujolais, France

Fresh, fruity and with enough structure to stand up to a full turkey dinner. Serve slightly chilled.

3

Chardonnay (lightly oaked)

White wine · Burgundy / Sonoma

The subtle oak and creamy texture bridge the lean turkey with rich gravy and buttery sides.

Practical tips

1

Pinot Noir is the most versatile turkey wine — it works with the meat AND the sides.

2

With cranberry sauce, choose a wine with its own red fruit character.

3

A lightly oaked Chardonnay bridges turkey with gravy beautifully.

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