I prefer to brine the turkey for two days in a Riesling brine, and then roast the bird.  I have been cooking the family turkey for years, and this is my favorite method.  And if you perfect this method, I promise the bird will come out juicier than deep frying it.  Although it is fun to fry stuff.

Riesling: This is one of the classics.  Most turkey brine recipes call for Riesling, and this wine just goes really well with most turkey preparations.  Sweet or dry, Riesling just works with Turkey.  I prefer the drier Alsatian style Rieslings, because they balance out the natural sweetness of the bird.

Pairing Tip: Incorporate some of the wine you will be serving into your cooking.  You will set yourself up for the perfect pairing. And NEVER cook with wine that you wouldn’t be willing to drink!

Gewurztraminer: Just like Riesling, this rich full bodied white will pair quite well with your Thanksgiving bird.  If you prepare your bird in a slightly spicier style (think Cajun, for example), this is the perfect wine for you.  Gewurztraminer has a natural spiciness that will lend itself well to spicier preparations.

Pinot Blanc: Another great Alsatian white that pairs really well with Tukey.

White Blends: This is a very vague category, but think full bodied blends that maintain a nice acidity.  My father has always enjoyed Sokol Blosser’s “Evolution.”  This is a field blend style, made up of 9 different varietals: Müller-Thurgau, Riesling, Semillon, Pinot Gris, Muscat Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Sylvaner.  I know this is only 8, there’s a mystery 9th varietal that I can’t seem to track down .

While whites make the perfect pairing with turkey, there are some lighter reds that will work well too.  Pinot Noir and Beaujolais will pair well.  Just stay on the lighter side when pairing reds with the bird.

And don’t forget to serve some bubbles.  I love Champagne just about any day of the week.  I’ll be pouring Pierre Peters Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru, as I do every year.  If you don’t feel like dropping the cash for Champagne, keep in mind that a nice Prosecco (from Italy) or Cava (from Spain) will work just as well.