The low fat content of turkey means the meat can easily become dry when cooked. Traditional Christmas turkey comes with all sorts of delicious trimmings, such as stuffing, roasted vegetables and gravy, which also serves to moisten the meat, but if you want to explore the bird's different personalities, try the following turkey-and-wine combinations.
Ferrari-Carano Tresor 2005, Alexander Valley, California
Turkey and porcini stew with truffle mashed potatoes is a delicious, hearty dish. The meat is so versatile it readily takes on the personality of whatever flavourings and seasonings it's cooked with. This stew may have Italian chefs wringing their hands in despair but it's actually very tasty - just make sure the turkey chunks are well seasoned and not overcooked. The Ferrari-Carano Tresor is a bordeaux blend - it's classy and big, and begs to be served with flavourful food. The deep berry flavours are a good support to the earthy mushroom tones; the mashed potato extends the combination giving substance while bridging the resistant food textures with the almost chewable wine. The meat in this classy pairing is a more than worthy replacement for traditional roast turkey. Available for HK$472 from Golden Gate Wine (tel: 2891 8121).
Shaw and Smith Shiraz 2007, Adelaide Hills, South Australia
Boned turkey leg stuffed with roasted capsicum and banana - sound strange? Yes, but this is divine with this perfumed, cool-climate shiraz. The dish isn't difficult - just remove the bone from the turkey thigh, stuff the latter with sliced bananas and red peppers that have been roasted and skinned, then season to taste and roast or grill slowly until cooked through. The modest sweetness from the banana offers further support to the violet and black pepper-like shiraz perfume. The slightly tannic banana works with the silky shiraz tannins to massage the firm turkey meat. The savoury roasted capsicum gives the combination moisture and acts as a bridge between the dark meat and the wine's versatile food-matching 'brown' flavour notes. Available for HK$245 from Oliver's (tel: 2810 7710).
Wooing Tree Pinot Noir 2007, Central Otago, New Zealand