Pairing wines with turkey – Holiday Wines

It is often at this time of the holiday season that I am asked for suggestions on what to pair with a Christmas turkey dinner, or a few suggestions on a more expensive wine to purchase for get-togethers over the Holidays. I thought I would give you a list of suggestions both red or white which may work for you.  Some reds go well with turkey and expensive is not always the best unless they are ready to drink now (great question to ask at point of purchase).

There is always a lot of flavour happening on a Christmas dinner plate; the turkey, gravy, stuffing with dry fruit, nuts, rice, bread or citrus fruits, potatoes, vegetables, bread or biscuits and tourtière. This is without including dessert and appetizers.  My recommendations are wines (both red and white) with as little sugar as possible, low alcohol and dry.

White Wines;  My suggestions for white wines are Chablis (Chardonnay grape, from Burgundy France), Chenin Blanc, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc with no oak or very little oak ( you want a wine with food friendly acidity) like these;

• Montes Classic Series Sauvignon Blanc 2010 from Chile (159954) at $12.95 13.5% Alcohol (General list wine)
• Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2010 from New Zealand (35386) at $16.95 13.5% Alc.
• Domaine De Vaugondy Dry Vouvray 2010 from France (189142) at $14.95 12.5% Alc. (Vouvray is a Chenin Blanc wine)
• Winery of Good Hope Vinum Africa Chenin Blanc 2009 from South Africa (739995) at $14.95 13.5% Alc.
• Château Des Charmes Old Vines Riesling 2008 from Ontario (277228) at $16.95 12% Alc. (This wine is medium dry)
• Domaine Bernard Defaix Côte de Lechet Reserve Chablis 1er Cru 2008 from France (017541) at $34.95 13% Alc. (Chablis is made out of Chardonnay grape)
• Inama Vin Suave Classico 2009 from Italy (949768) at $17.95 13.5% Alc.

Red Wines; What you should be looking for is a lighter wine with low tannins and alcohol, good acidity with more fruit than oak. During the holidays I usually recommend Beaujolais (Burgundy 2009 vintage), Pinot Noir, a Sangiovese based wine, Zinfandel and mature Rioja like these;

• Duboeuf Beaujolais Brouilly 2009 from France (277228) at $16.95% 12.7% Alcohol
• Masi Campofiorin 2007 from Italy (155051) at $17.95 13% Alc.
• Macrostie Wildcat Mountain Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006 from California (012740) at $38.95 14.2% Alc.
• Valiano Poggio Teo Chianti Classico 2006 from Italy (250563) at $17.95% 13.5% Alc.
• Volpaia Chianti Classico 2008 from Italy (953828) at $21.95 13.5%
• La Montesa Rioja 2008 from Spain (10556993) at $20.05 13.5% Alc. (This wine is available at the SAQ in Quebec)
• Ramon Bilbao Gran Reserva 2004 from Spain (244715) at $29.95 13.5% Alc. (Reviewed on this blog Dec 19)
• Château Ségur de Cabanac 2004 from France (243287) at $39.95 13% Alc. (For those who would prefer a full bodied Bordeaux ready to drink and reviewed on this blog Dec 12)
• Elderton Ode to Lorraine Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz/Merlot 2008 from Australia (976423) at $39.95. 14.5% (Also reviewed on this blog on October 13)

Have fun and remember to ask the product consultant at your local wine shop what your looking for.  Trust your tastes and enjoy.  Happy Holidays.