It’s a common “rule” of wine and food pairing that white meat should be served with white wine. But turkey, especially when served with rich, robust sides, can happily hold its own against some types of red wines.
A medium-bodied Pinot Noir provides a lovely balance for turkey. The wine’s high acidity, low tannins and flavours of red berries and cherries can complement the sweet, savoury and herbaceous elements of a traditional turkey dish.
For a more delicate, elegant style, look for bottles from cooler climates such as Argentina’s Uco Valley or Italy’s Alto Adige region. If you prefer a bolder Pinot Noir, look for bottles from warmer southern France and California’s Napa Valley.
Wine recommendation: Purple Owl Pinot Noir - a supple, juicy Pinot Noir full of sunny California character.
White wines, with their bright acidity and range of flavours, are the classic choice to pair with turkey.
An oaked Chardonnay, with its creamy texture and notes of butter, vanilla and stone fruits, can be a delightful match for roast turkey. The wine’s full body stands up to the richness of the bird and its sides, while its acidity keeps the palate fresh.
A sun-kissed bottle from Australia’s Margaret River wine region delivers intense flavours of melon, stone fruit and tropical fruit balanced out by subtle toasted notes.
If you prefer something lighter and brighter, opt for a bottle from Burgundy’s Chablis region.These wines are loved for their tart flavours of green apple and lemon, creamy texture and unique flinty minerality.
Wine recommendation: NEW Brûlée Buttery Chardonnay - a recent addition to the Laithwaites range, described as “luscious and butterscotchy, like a crème brûlée in your glass but with a lightning bolt of freshness on every sip”.
Sparkling wine can be an elegant choice to serve with turkey, it's refreshing acidity and effervescence cutting through the richness of a roast dinner and creating a great balance of flavours.
Red, white and rosé sparkling wines make delicious pairings with a Christmas turkey, but the general rule is to avoid bone-dry or Brut styles unless the turkey has plenty of sweetness, such as lashing of cranberry sauce, or richness from a lake of gravy.
The combination of bright acidity and red fruit flavours in a sparkling rosé can work well with turkey, especially if your meal includes cranberry sauce or other fruity accompaniments.
Wine recommendation: Roche Lacour Crémant de Limoux Rosé - A deliciously crisp, strawberry-scented Crémant rosé.
Still can't decide on your festive wines?
Our thoughtfully curated Christmas cases are the simplest, most popular way to buy wine for the festive season.
