Food and wine pairing: a Christmas turkey

Turkey is a tender, subtle white meat that can become dry if not cooked well, which is why it's often accompanied by rich stuffings or creamy sauces. Sweet-savory garnishes such as chestnuts, dried fruit, apples, or sauces based on red fruit or red wine add deep, complex flavors to the dish. For a perfect match, it's important to choose a wine that complements the tenderness of the meat while highlighting the sweet and spicy elements.

A Burgundy Chardonnay is an ideal match for roast turkey. A Meursault or Pouilly-Fuissé (with aromas of white-fleshed fruit, butter and hazelnut) will bring a roundness that pairs perfectly with a turkey stuffed with chestnuts or mushrooms. Their creamy texture and lightly woody aromas enhance the gourmet side of the dish.

A Rhône Valley Viognier, such as the Condrieu from Domaine François Villard, is also an excellent choice. With its aromas of peach, apricot, white flowers and sweet spices, this aromatic white wine pairs perfectly with the sweet and spicy flavors of Christmas turkey. Its velvety texture and low acidity complement the richness of accompaniments like chestnuts or apples.

Pinot Noir is a light, elegant red wine that goes particularly well with Christmas turkey. Burgundy Pinot Noirs, with their red fruit aromas (cherry, strawberry) and discreet tannic structure, offer a lovely freshness to balance the richness of the dish. In Alsace, Pinot Noir produces fruitier, lighter wines, perfect for accompanying the tenderness of poultry without overpowering it. This wine brings a beautiful harmony, especially if the turkey is accompanied by dried fruits or a red fruit sauce.

Beaujolais, especially crus like Morgon du domaine de la Bonne Tonne, Fleurie, or Brouilly, is another excellent choice for a Christmas turkey. Gamay, the main grape variety of Beaujolais, is light, fruity and low in tannin, with aromas of cherry, strawberry and sometimes violet. It brings a freshness and suppleness that perfectly balances turkey and its accompaniments, especially if served with a sweet-savory fruit-based sauce.

A Côtes du Rhône, with its aromas of black fruits, spices, and supple tannins, is a slightly fuller-bodied red wine that can pair well with a Christmas turkey, especially if it's stuffed with mushrooms or spices. Blends of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre bring both ripe fruit and balanced structure, while remaining accessible and not weighing down the dish. Their spicy, fruity character complements turkey meat and festive garnishes well. Wines from domaine Marcel Richaud will be a fine match.

If the turkey is accompanied by a red fruit sauce or dried fruit, such as grapes or apricots, some specific wines can enhance these flavors even better. The Gewurztraminer bio, with its exotic aromas of lychee, rose, candied fruit and sweet spices, is ideal for turkey served with sweet accompaniments or fruit sauces. Its richness and aromatic intensity offer a perfect contrast to the turkey's tender meat, while its light sweetness can echo the sweet elements of the dish without overpowering the flavors.