5 wines that go well with your Christmas turkey dinner
The turkey’s done. So are the sides. So, which wine goes best with that bird?
CBC Windsor’s Bob Steele, host of Afternoon Drive, spoke with Canadian sommelier and wine writer Nathalie MacLean.
She revealed her top five wines for holiday turkey dinner:
Freixent Cordon Negro Brut Cava
From Penedes, Spain
In Nathalie’s words: A toasty and refreshing sparkling wine at an incredibly great price. Start your holiday dinner with a toast, then enjoy this bubbly with turkey, as it's extremely versatile. Delicious aromas and flavours of ripe pears and baked bread. Creamy layers of flavour and zippy finish make this bubbly perfect for a cocktail party or dinner companion.
Score: 87/100
Price: $13.95
Alcohol: 12%
Sweetness: Extra Dry
Drink: 2014‐2016
LCBO: 216945
Featherstone Black Sheep Riesling 2013
From Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada
In Nathalie’s words: This is one of my favourite Ontario Rieslings: delightful every vintage. The 2013 vintage is no exceptional with lovely bright notes of lime blossom, lemon zest and flint. This refreshing white wine has just a touch of sweetness to pair with side dishes like cream corn and sweet potatoes, yet is beautifully balanced with mouth-watering juiciness for the turkey.
Score: 90/100
Price: $16.95
Alcohol: 10%
Sweetness: Medium
Drink: 2013‐2018
LCBO: 80234
Remy Pannier Rose D'anjou 2013
From Loire Valley, France
In Nathalie’s words: So pretty. Bone-dry, delicate rose with aromas of tiny wild field strawberries. Yes, this wine is very dry and mouth-watering: perfect for moistening that turkey in your mouth.
Score: 87/100
Price: $12.95
Alcohol: 10%
Sweetness: Dry
Drink: 2013‐2015
LCBO: 12641
Sterling Vineyards Vinter's Pinot Noir 2012
From Napa Valley, California, United States
In Nathalie’s words: Lovely cherry-berry aromas on the nose with a supple, smooth, medium-bodied texture on the palate. This is an incredibly great price for Napa Valley pinot noir. Medium-bodied and delicious. Juicy enough for your turkey and will also dance with your cranberry sauce.
Score: 89/100
Price: $15.95
Alcohol: 13.5%
Sweetness: Extra Dry
Drink: 2014‐2017
LCBO: 226571
Reif Estate Winery Vidal Icewine 2012
From Niagara River, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada
In Nathalie’s words: Liquid gorgeous. What a spectacular dessert wine. Aromas of honey, peaches, baking spice and tree fruit. Perfect for fruit-based desserts or holiday shortbreads. Enjoy after dinner with bold blue cheeses or on its own as dessert in a glass.
Score: 92/100
Price: $46.95
Alcohol: 10%
Sweetness: Sweet
Drink: 2014‐2020
LCBO: 544791
Natalie MacLean is an accredited sommelier and editor of one of Canada's largest wine review websites, publishing hundreds of wine reviews every week for more than 162,339 members.