In the second part of our holiday wine series on the CBC radio drive-home shows coast to coast we chatted about great wines to pair with your turkey dinner. You can listen to my tips above on choosing those wines plus my top 5 picks.
Join us again next week, on December 30, when we chat about great sparkling wines for the New Year.
Natalie MacLean, editor of Canada’s largest wine review site, selects her top five wines for your holiday dinner to pair with turkey and the side dishes:
Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut Cava
Penedes, Spain
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
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada
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 Rosé d’Anjou 2013
Loire Valley, France
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 Vintner’s Pinot Noir 2012
Napa Valley, California, United States
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
Niagara River, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada
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
Posted with permission from CBC.
