I love Turkey. You have no idea how much I love Turkey. Around this time of year I start to dream of the taste of my Dad’s stuffing and gravy. Now for many people wine to serve with Turkey is a matter of simply having White or Red available at the Table. I am here to offer you your best options for Turkey whether it be White, Red, Rosé or Sparkling there are some great wines to match with your Thanksgiving spread.
White
Chardonnay is a slam dunk for Turkey. I love a nice buttery Chardonnay whether it’s white or dark meat on my plate. The problem with Chardonnay is that not everyone can appreciate the White loaded with Barrel flavours. The great thing about Ontario Chardonnay is you get a wine that strikes a nice balance between nice Creamy, Butterscotch and Vanilla flavours from time spent in Barrel and Citrus, Apple and Tree Fruit flavours.
2010 Flat Rock Good Kharma Chardonnay – VINTAGES 356873 – $16.95 – Over the past year there have been many exceptional Oaked Chardonnay’s that have come in at the twenty dollar price point. This wine has a killer value! A nice round creamy buttery mouth feel with a lot of Pear and Pineapple flavours. There is a long finish on a wine that overall is very subtle. A portion of the sales of each bottle goes to the Ontario Association of Food Banks.
2010 Cattail Creek Barrel Fermented Small Lot Chardonnay – Vintages 348987 – $24.95 – A little more refined than most Chardonnay’s I have written about recently. Fruit flavours lean towards Orange and Grilled Pineapple. This wine has a long creamy finish with lots of vanilla left on the palate with just a touch of smokey oak. I really love this wine!
Red
Red with Poultry on the surface can seem a little trickier, but that doesn’t mean you can’t match a great Red wine with the Thanksgiving feast. If I’m drinking a great Gamay and Turkey I picture my plate covered in Dark Meat, Stuffing and Gravy. (If you’re skeptical about Red wine and poulty I highly recommend you try Coq au Vin. It’s a Red Wine based Chicken Stew that is amazing). You will also note that these Red wines will not break the bank.
2011 Cave Spring Gamay – LCBO 228569 – $14.95 – This Gamay is fantastic, easy drinking, and I would recommend this wine at any price … but the 15 dollar price point really makes this wine a steal. Very ripe, juicy fruit flavours cover your palette feeling just like taking a bite of Cherry Pie. The finish has a subtle spiciness to it that is typical of Gamay.
2011 13th Street Red Palette – VINTAGES 249458 – $15.95 – The Red and White Palette wines from 13th Street winery are the perfect definition of Party Wines. I love the fact that these wines come in well under the twenty dollar price range as well. It’s a blend of mainly Merlot and Gamay but you really taste the ripe red fruit flavours from the Merlot, there is lots of Raspberry and Plum. The Gamay keeps the wine from being too heavy and makes this one of the most food friendly Red wines you will find in the vintages section.
2010 Earth & Sky Pinot Noir – LCBO 343368 – $15.95 – Most Pinot Noir at this price point tastes like potting soil. If you’re a Pinot fan it can be frustrating to find something economical to consumer. Look no further! This is a great food friendly Pinot that is loaded with Cherry flavours and a nice balance with great earth flavours.
Rosé
Rosé is a great match for Turkey. I often call Rosé the swiss army knife of the wine world because it’s very versatile and can pair with just about anything. It’s my go to wine for Barbeque during the summer and I always try to save a bottle or two on the wine rack for Turkey season.
2012 Kacaba Rebecca Rosé – VINTAGES 227025 – $14.95 – Who doesn’t love a great deal from the vintages section! I love picking up a great wine under that twenty dollar mark (both wines this week fit that bill). What is great about this wine is there is a certain herbaciousness off the nose and right on the palette when you take your first sip. As the wine rolls down the back of your tongue the fruit flavours really pop on this… watermelon, slight rhubarb and very dry and crisp on the finish.
Sibling Rivalry Pink – LCBO 171033 – $13.95 – The 2010 vintage was celebrated with the Lieutenant Governor’s award for Excellence in Ontario Wine. My favorite thing about Sibling Rivalry of all colours is it is consistently excellent, and always stands head and shoulders above its price point. Still a dry Rosé you will find a touch of sweetness on this wine it is loaded with Strawberry flavours.
Sparkling
Sparkling is one of your safest bets for serving with Turkey. Bone dry with bubbles that cleanse the palate and crisp acidity that, just like Rosé, pairs with just about everything.
13th Street Cuvee Sparkling Brut Rosé – $24.95 – VINTAGES 147504 – A great affordable pink Rosé that will be a great partner to your Turkey spread.
Chateau des Charmes Brut – LCBO 224766 – $22.95 – This is my favorite Ontario Sparkling and go to when I’m entertaining or Celebrating. This is a traditional Champagne style wine that easily outperforms it’s price point.
Konzelmann Sparkling Rosé – LCBO 184176 – $16.20 – This is a full bodied Rosé with a bit of a spicy finish (the bubbles help accent this). This wine has a little bit of sweetness on the finish but has just enough acidity so it doesn’t leave you with a syrupy feeling in the mouth. With flavours of Cranberry and Cherry this will pair nicely with Turkey.
