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WHICH WINE TO CHOOSE FOR CHRISTMAS TURKEY?

850 Views Posted on: 2024-05-30
 

Stuffed with chestnuts, foie gras, or white pudding, the Christmas turkey is a timeless holiday classic.

With Chestnut-Stuffed Christmas Turkey

Chestnut-stuffed turkey is THE quintessential Christmas turkey. Tender, meaty, creamy, and buttery, it offers a rich aromatic palette that calls for red wines with character, featuring present but well-integrated tannins to avoid overpowering the firm yet slightly bland texture of the turkey and the starchy consistency of the chestnuts. You should also choose fruity wines with a hint of spice to highlight the chestnuts.

Explore the Rhône Valley, where many appellations meet these criteria, such as Côte-Rôtie or Cornas. If you prefer Burgundy wines, consider a Pommard, or opt for a Haut-Médoc if you’re a Bordeaux enthusiast.

With Foie Gras-Stuffed Christmas Turkey

Complex and highly aromatic, foie gras-stuffed turkey is not the lightest dish, but it embodies the festive spirit perfectly. Its extreme richness requires careful wine pairing. In this case, both red and white wines can work well, although it's important to remember that the pairing should primarily focus on the main ingredient of the dish, not the garnish. A sweet wine like Sauternes or Monbazillac, traditionally paired with foie gras, is not suitable for foie gras-stuffed Christmas turkey.

Consider an aged red wine with softened tannins and marked acidity to counterbalance the firmness of the turkey and the creaminess of the foie gras. A Bordeaux wine from the Côte de Bordeaux appellation or a Loire wine from the Chinon appellation would be perfect. However, if you’re feeling adventurous, you might also consider an oxidative white wine (aged in contact with air) from the Jura region, known as "vin jaune." We recommend the Arbois, Château-Chalon, or Étoile appellations.

With White Pudding-Stuffed Christmas Turkey

When it comes to white pudding, white wine is the way to go! This approach might seem simplistic at first glance, but it has proven to be effective. The tender and fatty texture of white pudding needs to be refreshed by crisp, acidic wines. A dry, fruity white wine like Chablis (Burgundy) or Pouilly-Fumé (Loire) would be ideal. If you prefer red wine, a pairing is also possible, provided you choose a light and fruity red (remember, the turkey remains the main ingredient). Opt for a Beaujolais wine from the Fleurie or Morgon appellations, or a Pinot Noir from Burgundy or Alsace.