Certain traditions are never abandoned, such as the typical stuffed turkey served during Christmas lunch or dinner, amidst side dishes of potatoes and vegetables, tasty sauces and glasses of wine with which to toast the festivities. Unmissable in this period of joy and conviviality, this dish needs to be accompanied by the right labels, which are able to support the flavours involved, from the delicate one of the white meat to the more full-bodied and intense one of the stuffing and condiments.

Here is a guide to the best wines to pair with stuffed turkey!

Stuffed turkey: a traditional dish requiring a special wine

There is no traditional recipe that has not had a few variations over the years, and not even the stuffed turkey escapes this evolution. Today, it can be proposed and re-proposed in a very wide range of versions, from one flavoured with aromatic herbs to one stuffed with red fruits to give the dish a sour balance. There is no shortage of versions stuffed with chestnuts or dried fruit, nor those with an extra touch of flavour thanks to bacon and sausage.

Although it is therefore difficult to trace back to a single original recipe, as a general rule the turkey is stuffed with breadcrumbs, onions, sage (sometimes with other herbs) and in some cases pork, then seasoned, basted and cooked for several hours.

The result is a dish that retains the delicacy of the white meat of the turkey, but with an extra kick given by the stuffing. There is good news for those who are looking for great wine and Christmas turkey pairings: this dish goes well with reds, whites and bubbles!

The best red wines to pair with stuffed turkey

When the delicacy of turkey meets the savouriness of a more full-bodied stuffing (e.g. with the addition of pork), the ideal solution is to rely on the most iconic red wines of all time, possibly characterised by a fruity organoleptic bouquet and moderate tannins that do not overpower the hints of the dish.

'Pinay' Pinot Nero Langhe DOC 2016

Pinot Noir is one of the world's most celebrated red wines, a veritable celebrity within the industry. In spite of the organoleptic power it displays, it is also capable of conveying a remarkable delicacy, fitting well with the flavours offered by Christmas stuffed turkey.

In a glass of 'Pinay' Pinot Nero Langhe DOC 2016 you can find an exciting and vibrant bouquet, composed of elegant notes of cherry and spices, while on the palate it re-proposes the same fruity identity in a warm and enveloping sip. This is a well-balanced wine with a medium body and not too intense tannins, capable of supporting the flavours of the dish without covering them up. Serve at an ideal temperature of 18°C.

'Querciabella' Chianti Classico Docg 2020

To continue with the iconic and timeless reds, one can take a look at what is probably one of the most famous Italian wines in the world, Chianti Classico, which is also able to best support the hints of turkey and its stuffing thanks to an organoleptic charge that is both powerful and moderate at the same time.

Produced in the historic Chianti region of Tuscany, 'Querciabella' Chianti Classico Docg 2020 shows its fruity and decisive identity right from its appearance, expressed through a deep ruby red colour. Only in tasting, however, can one experience all its aromatic facets. Hints of red fruits, spices and violets chase each other in the glass, counterpointed by a balsamic and earthy aftertaste.

On tasting, one can understand why it is considered a refined and delicate wine: the tannins are light and harmonious, while the taste is velvety, fruity and very refreshing, perfect to balance the taste of turkey, especially when served at a temperature of around 16°C.

A eulogy to delicacy: whites and bubbles suitable for the festive classic

Lovers of white wines and bubbles can rejoice: the stuffed turkey not only goes well with fruity reds, but also greatly appreciates the acidic aftertastes, which degrease the palate from the unctuous hints of this dish, especially from the stuffing and seasonings.

'Vigna Tratta' Sauvignon Trentino DOC 2023

Ideal for poultry-based recipes - from the most classic and simple roast chicken to the most elaborate dishes - 'Vigna Tratta' Sauvignon Trentino DOC 2023 is an excellent solution when trying to create a good match between wine and Christmas dinner, accompanying the traditionally stuffed turkey with an organoleptic bouquet rich in bewitching aromas and aftertastes that perfectly balance every nuance of flavour.

Characterised by an elegant straw-yellow colour, the nose has a fresh and lively identity, conferred by primary citrus scents. As the tasting proceeds, the aromas evolve into exotic notes, while on the palate this Trentino white surprises with a harmonious and persistent flavour and an acidic note that is not afraid to clash with the fatty textures of the dish and its stronger flavours. Serve chilled, at a temperature of 12°C.

'Graacher Himmelreich' Riesling Kabinett Mosel 2021

Among the possible white wines to pair with Christmas turkey is Riesling, which has found a home in various regions of Italy and the world, and which has won the hearts of many wine lovers thanks to its fruity and refreshing aromas, mineral aftertaste and aromatic complexity that leaves no one indifferent.

A good candidate among festive wines for Christmas is in this case a wine produced in the Mosel region: the 'Graacher Himmelreich' Riesling Kabinett Mosel 2021.

It is hard not to fall in love with its particular apricot, peach, lime and grapefruit aromas, which create a pleasant balance of sweet and fresh notes. A mineral touch accompanies the olfactory examination, while the palate is tickled by good acidity and a lingering taste that immediately invites you to take a second sip. These traits - to be enhanced with a serving temperature of 14°C - are able to cope with a variety of fillings, from the lighter herb-based to the more intense and fatty with sausage or pork.

Crémant d'Alsace Rosé Brut

Closing this varied review of wines for the traditional Christmas menu is a French sparkling wine that is a very good alternative to Champagne, namely Crémant, in this case produced in the Alsace region.

The choice fell not on a sparkling wine vinified in white, but rather on a rosé, whose fruity notes and remarkable freshness offer a pairing experience somewhere between red and white. Crémant d'Alsace Rosé Brut is characterised by a charming salmon-pink colour and notes of wild strawberries and raspberry, which are best expressed at a serving temperature of around 10°C. The taste is equally fruity, refreshing and satisfying. 

Now that you know the best wines to pair with stuffed turkey, enhance your Christmas celebrations with these labels, elevating the characteristics of this traditional dish with Svinando!