Holiday Turkey, the American Institution, can benefit from both White and Red wines, depending upon your preferences. Turkey meat is fairly firm and can stand a wine with good acidity, structure, and flavor. Assuming that your turkey is roasted - not fried, we offer the following suggestions. For white wines, we suggest a mildly oaked Chardonnay. There are many fine Chardonnays coming from both Napa and Sonoma Valleys - as well as many from other countries (France, Australia, and Chile). In addition, you can try other well structured white wines such as a White Cote du Rhone. The Cote du Rhone Blanc offers good balance plus flowery aromas from the Viognier content.

For red wines, we recommend that you avoid strong tannic wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon - and most Bordeaux. We prefer a red wine with softer tannins and a velvety mouth feel such as Pinot Noir (try a Sonoma or Oregonian) and Beaujolais. An additional, non-traditional option is an Italian Barbera. Barbera produces wines with good acidity, mild tannins, and relatively low alcohol, making it well suited as a compliment to your holiday meal.

It is difficult to recommend specific wines since there are so many good wines and we are uncertain of your location. However, you may want to try some of wines which we have enjoyed in the past:


White Wines:

Martinelli Chardonnay
Chateau St Jean Robert Young Reserve Chardonnay
St. Cosme Cote du Rhone Blanc


Red Wines:

George Duboeuf Julienas Flower Label 2003 (Beaujolais)
George Duboeuf Prestige Label Julienas or Fleurie
Siduri Pinot Noir
About any nice quality Oregonian Pinot Noir.


We hope that this helps you and you enjoy your holiday meal with whichever wine you select.