# Wines That Go Well with Turkey **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** wine\ **Created:** [November 18, 2017, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wines-that-go-well-with-turkey/802003 "2017-11-18T17:05:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wines-that-go-well-with-turkey/802003/41 "2017-11-20T13:29:01Z")
I like Riesling, a dry rose, or viognier with turkey. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wines-that-go-well-with-turkey/802003/42 "2017-11-20T15:55:11Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Alsatian Gewurtztraminer goes well with turkey. I normally don’t care for white wines, and even ‘good’ oakey whites taste like turpentine to me. The exception is gewürztraminer. My poison of choice when preparing and chowing down on Thanksgiving grub is [Chateau Ste Michelle Gewurztraminer](http://www.totalwine.com/wine/white-wine/gewurztraminer/chateau-ste-michelle-gewurztraminer/p/1098750) It’s dirt cheap, widely available, and simply lovely. It’s actually not a bad camping wine as it is a quite refreshing alternative to beer or bourbon around a campfire–and it doesn’t funk up your palate against s’mores. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wines-that-go-well-with-turkey/802003/43 "2017-11-20T16:18:55Z")
Chateau St. Michelle make some damn good wines! Their Eroica Riesling is pretty good, too. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wines-that-go-well-with-turkey/802003/44 "2017-11-20T19:00:52Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Lambrusco is the ideal wine for Thanksgiving. It’s a rich deep red colour, medium body, slightly effervescent. Serve chilled. > > Pinot Noir is a far better alternative to the insipid Beaujolais Nouveaus. I find a lot of humor in this post in the sense that being critical of one kind of normally bad wine while praising another equally bad wine is funny to me. Is this wine snob humor? 🙂 > [@John\_Mace](#): > > Grigio is Italian, Gris is French, and of course French wines are labeled by region, not by varietal, so you’re not going to see a French wine labeled Pinot Gris. Also, Oregon wines from that grape are generally called “Gris”, whereas California uses Grigio. The purpose is obviously to confuse the consumer. 🙂 > > Rieslings are wonderful wines, but too many sold in the US are overly sweet (too much residual sugar). Finding a good, dry one is not so easy. I’ve been at very good restaurants and told that their Riesling was “dry” only to find it not dry at all. I’d stay away from that wine unless you really know what you’re doing (or you don’t mind sweet wine with your dinner). Interestingly, what you say about French wines is _mostly_ true, although not in Alsace, which is where the abundance of Pinot Gris comes from! [https://www.google.com/search?q=alsatian+wine+labels&tbm=isch&source=iu&pf=m&ictx=1&fir=0iz\_RSfMFN4feM%253A%252CWGROB2wWT0U0MM%252C\_&usg=\_\_\_NU7aWjbtUi8L15C8LNajTnULSA%3D&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj4nJjW6c3XAhUq5oMKHfauBUYQ9QEIOjAB#imgrc=M5844u7Z19ozfM:](https://www.google.com/search?q=alsatian+wine+labels&tbm=isch&source=iu&pf=m&ictx=1&fir=0iz_RSfMFN4feM%253A%252CWGROB2wWT0U0MM%252C_&usg=___NU7aWjbtUi8L15C8LNajTnULSA%3D&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj4nJjW6c3XAhUq5oMKHfauBUYQ9QEIOjAB#imgrc=M5844u7Z19ozfM:) As far as knowing the sweetness levels in a Riesling, you do have to experiment a bit to see how much sugar you like. The Germans make this pretty easy to grasp. A dry German Riesling will be labelled as “Trocken”. A slightly sweet wine will be labelled “halb-trocken”. Other terms on quality Rieslings refer to the ripeness of the grapes when harvested, ie, Kabinett, Spatlese, etc. I just found this short article and it is VERY informative: [Understanding German Riesling by the Label | Wine Folly](http://winefolly.com/review/understanding-german-riesling-by-the-label/) > [@B-Rad](#): > > I normally don’t care for white wines, and even ‘good’ oakey whites taste like turpentine to me. The exception is gewürztraminer. > > My poison of choice when preparing and chowing down on Thanksgiving grub is [Chateau Ste Michelle Gewurztraminer](http://www.totalwine.com/wine/white-wine/gewurztraminer/chateau-ste-michelle-gewurztraminer/p/1098750) It’s dirt cheap, widely available, and simply lovely. It’s actually not a bad camping wine as it is a quite refreshing alternative to beer or bourbon around a campfire–and it doesn’t funk up your palate against s’mores. 🙂 > [@John\_Mace](#): > > Chateau St. Michelle make some damn good wines! Their Eroica Riesling is pretty good, too. Chateau Ste Michelle isn’t a bad American producer, but for the $25-30 a bottle of Eroica costs, I can find a much better Riesling example from good old Deutschland. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wines-that-go-well-with-turkey/802003/45 "2017-11-20T19:08:09Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Chateau Ste Michelle isn’t a bad American producer, but for the $25-30 a bottle of Eroica costs, I can find a much better Riesling example from good old Deutschland. I haven’t bought it in a long time, but I was thinking it was more in the $15/bottle range. If it’s that expensive, then I agree. I actually have a couple of local wine clubs I belong to where I can get a pretty nice Riesling at a good price, but they don’t sell nationally. In fact, I don’t even think they sell in the entire state of CA. The problem with Rieslings from Germany, as I noted above, is that if you’re new to wine, the labeling will be incomprehensible. You’ll need a trusted friend or wine dealer to pick out the right bottle for you. It’s not a DIY project. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wines-that-go-well-with-turkey/802003/46 "2017-11-20T19:13:10Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I haven’t bought it in a long time, but I was thinking it was more in the $15/bottle range. If it’s that expensive, then I agree. I actually have a couple of local wine clubs I belong to where I can get a pretty nice Riesling at a good price, but they don’t sell nationally. In fact, I don’t even think they sell in the entire state of CA. > > The problem with Rieslings from Germany, as I noted above, is that if you’re new to wine, the labeling will be incomprehensible. You’ll need a trusted friend or wine dealer to pick out the right bottle for you. It’s not a DIY project. 😉 I can say that my very favorite German Riesling producer is Donhoff. I’ve tried some aged examples of his wines and they are exquisite. The petrol notes that aged sweet Rieslings pick up is very intoxicating. ---
**Author:** ![Periwinkle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Periwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Periwinkle)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wines-that-go-well-with-turkey/802003/47 "2017-11-21T03:46:48Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Chateau St. Michelle make some damn good wines! Their Eroica Riesling is pretty good, too. The Eroica is the one I was going to recommend, I have chosen it for Thanksgiving for years now. I also think Pinot Noir is a good choice. La Crema makes a nice one that is not too expensive. ETA: The Eroica costs about $19 where I am. The La Crema about $18. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wines-that-go-well-with-turkey/802003/48 "2017-11-21T20:21:33Z")
I’ve just returned from Trader Joe’s, where I bought some Three Buck Chuck to braise oxtails in for New Year’s dinner. The crew member who assisted me when I was looking for something to actually drink mentioned the Charles Shaw Nouveau was very good this year. For three dollars, I thought about getting a bottle. But we already have the stuff I bought at Bevmo. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wines-that-go-well-with-turkey/802003/49 "2017-11-21T20:32:47Z")
According to the sign in the window of the wine shop down the block, _Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrive._ **Silenus:**. My large brawny 22-year-old son — the erstwhile Little Banjo — is home for the holiday, so we’re having that nice (medium) rare 28-oz rib steak (bone-in, for gnawing and later for dog purposes) tonight, with a couple of baked russets and some creamed spinach. The Ukulele Lady, who doesn’t indulge in such testosterone-heavy meals, is having leftover stir fry of pork tenderloin, Napa cabbage, and soba noodles. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wines-that-go-well-with-turkey/802003/50 "2017-11-21T20:36:01Z")
L’chaim! Now _that’s_ Thanksgiving eating! ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2017, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wines-that-go-well-with-turkey/802003/51 "2017-11-23T20:16:29Z")
I think I have the temperature problem licked. Found an old rectal thermometer I can use in the bottle. ---
**Author:** ![Lickety\_Split\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/67e7ee/32.png) [@Lickety\_Split\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lickety_Split_1)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2017, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wines-that-go-well-with-turkey/802003/52 "2017-11-23T20:19:56Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I’m generally a beer man and don’t know squat about wine. We’re having Thanksgiving dinner with some neighbors and bringing the wine. Any recommendations? For red, go with a Zinfandel or Beaujalais. Something not too complex or expensive, but rather fun and simple and accessible. And those don’t need to be decanted or let to breathe. And a Pinot Noir goes with just about ANY thing. It is my personal favorite. For white…Chardonnay all da way. For a blend of the two…THEE most popular wine in the USA: White Zin…which is called a blush wine. They leave the skins on the grapes for just a short time after crushing to give that pinky color. Women love it. Happy T-Giving!! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2017, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wines-that-go-well-with-turkey/802003/53 "2017-11-23T20:32:45Z")
Just [don’t drink white Zinfandel](http://www.mattkruse.com/humor/sunscreen_song_spoof.txt). ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2017, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wines-that-go-well-with-turkey/802003/54 "2017-11-26T07:21:36Z")
Thanksgiving dinner was superb, but the host turned out to be a major champagne fan. So that’s what we drank. We gave them the two bottles of wine, but I’d heard such good things about the Santa Margherita pinot grigio 2016 that I went and picked up another bottle just for us. Haven’t opened it yet though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wines-that-go-well-with-turkey/802003.md?page=2)