Poultries

Guide to Pairing Wine with Poultry

When it comes to pairing wine with poultry, it's essential to consider the dish's preparation and sauce. Poultry dishes vary from light and delicate to rich and flavorful, so choosing the right wine is crucial. Here are some guidelines to help you choose the perfect wine for your poultry dishes.

1. Simple Roasted or Grilled Poultry

For roasted or grilled poultry, which has a delicate flavor, choose a wine that's round, elegant, and balanced to enhance the subtle taste of chicken or turkey.

• Recommended wine: A Burgundy white (such as Chablis or Meursault) or a Merlot. Burgundy wines, with their fruity aromas and round texture, complement the lightness of poultry. A Merlot is also a great choice due to its smoothness and fruitiness.

2. Poultry with Cream Sauce

When poultry is prepared with a cream sauce, a wine with good acidity and medium-roundness is needed to balance the richness of the sauce.

• Recommended wine: Puligny-Montrachet or Chassagne-Montrachet, both of which are white Burgundy wines that combine freshness with richness. These wines have the acidity to balance the creaminess while providing enough structure to match the dish. A Vin Jaune from Jura is another excellent choice, offering depth and complexity.

3. Poultry with Spices (e.g., Curry)

For spiced poultry dishes, such as curry, choose a wine that can balance the heat and enhance the flavors without overwhelming the dish.

• Recommended wine: Riesling (dry or slightly off-dry) or Pinot Gris from Alsace. These white wines offer freshness and minerality, making them an ideal match for spiced poultry dishes.

4. Poultry with Citrus (e.g., Lemon or Orange)

The acidity of citrus-based poultry dishes (such as lemon or orange roasted chicken) requires a wine that can complement the tartness while maintaining roundness.

• Recommended wine: Chablis or Sancerre (both dry and fresh whites) or a light Pinot Noir if you prefer red wine. These wines' freshness and slight minerality pair well with the acidity of citrus-based dishes.

5. Rich Poultry in Brown Sauce (e.g., Duck, Guinea Fowl)

Richer poultry like duck or guinea fowl, often cooked with flavorful brown sauces, pairs best with wines that are more structured.

• Recommended wine: Pinot Noir from Burgundy or a Côtes du Rhône. The delicate fruitiness and finesse of Pinot Noir complement the richness of these meats, while the spicier, fuller wines from the Rhône provide the depth needed for more complex flavors.

6. Holiday Turkey

For a traditional holiday turkey, often served with rich accompaniments like chestnuts or stuffing, choose a wine that can balance the richness of the dish.

• Recommended wine: Chardonnay from Burgundy or a light red wine such as Beaujolais Villages or Pinot Noir. Chardonnay offers fruity aromas and a buttery texture that pairs well with turkey, while Beaujolais, with its lightness and fruitiness, complements the complexity of the dish.

Additional Tips:

• For lighter poultry (such as chicken or turkey), opt for fine white wines or light reds.
• For richer poultry or those prepared with sauces, a more structured wine (like Burgundy or Côtes du Rhône) will better support the complex flavors.

With these tips, you can easily choose the perfect wine to accompany your poultry dishes. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need personalized recommendations or advice.