Red Wine With Turkey? Of Course! Cabernet Sauvignon Complements Grilled Turkey and Cornucopia of Side Dishes

ST. HELENA, CA--(Marketwire - Nov 1, 2011) - Tradition says that turkey is best paired with white wine. But sometimes tradition can be a bit too... traditional. If you like reds, there's no reason not to enjoy your favorite varietal at Thanksgiving dinner. Most foodies will admit that turkey can pair well with a light Beaujolais Nouveau or Pinot Noir, but a big wine, such as a Cabernet Sauvignon, can work too. If you prefer a full-bodied red, remember that turkey is extremely versatile and can be prepared in such a way as to complement almost any wine. Using a dark meat-based gravy, for example, will generally help the pairing.

One recipe that pairs particularly well with Cabernet Sauvignon is grilled turkey with a dark meat and red wine gravy. Pairing turkey with Cabernet Sauvignon bucks tradition, but the secret to pairing is all about how the turkey is prepared. The smoky, earthy flavors from the grill coupled with the hearty yet fruity gravy make a perfect match to a bold Cabernet Sauvignon.

Michael Martini, third-generation winemaker at Louis M. Martini Winery, recommends pairing this dish with the Louis M. Martini 2009 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon. "The fruit notes and well-structured tannins will stand up and contrast well with the wide range of flavors found in the turkey and its fixings -- from the rich meat to the herbs and spices," said Martini. "It's all about balancing the flavors and intensity."

About Louis M. Martini
For more than 75 years, the Louis M. Martini Winery has crafted award-winning wines from the flagship grape of Napa Valley: Cabernet Sauvignon. With the simple premise that the best grapes make the best wines, Louis M. Martini, founder of the winery, set out to acquire the finest terroir in what is now one of the world's most renowned wine producing regions. In 1977, Michael Martini, third-generation winemaker, took the helm; in 2003, merging art and science in the winery, he introduced Cellar 254, an "artist's studio" to experiment with small production, artisan red wines. Today, the winery continues the tradition in which it was established: pursuing the best Cabernet Sauvignon that the region can offer. The Louis M. Martini Winery and tasting room are located on Highway 29 in St. Helena, California. For more information, please visit www.louismartini.com.