Top pairings

What wine to pair with goose

Posted by Fiona Beckett (Google+) on December 16 2023 at 07:24

If you’ve decided to serve goose rather than turkey this Christmas you’ve already opted to be adventurous. So you could arguably be adventurous about your wine pairing for goose, too.

I say this arguably because family members often get a bit odd around the festive season, digging their heels in and insisting on having something they’ve had hundreds - or at least tens of times before.

Goose is, of course, stronger-flavoured than turkey - more like game but - crucially - quite a bit fattier which makes it essential in my book to look for a wine that has a fair level of acidity. It also tends to be accompanied by powerfully flavoured accompaniments such as chestnuts and red cabbage. Other traditional (and very good) accompaniments are potato or potato and apple stuffing, apples and prunes which can also affect your pairing:

Here are my suggested options...

Best wine pairings with goose

Top quality German or Alsace Grand Cru Riesling

Probably the best match of all if you’re planning an apple or apple and prune stuffing. A dry spätlese Riesling would be ideal, cutting through the fat and providing a subtle touch of sweetness. The drawback is that your guests may well expect a red - but there’s no reason why you can’t serve both.

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Comments: 10 (Add)

Angelika on December 23 2021 at 08:16

I would pair the goose with a first class heavy weight German Silvaner. It goes beautifully and is one of the traditional pairings back home. Alas might be tricky to get in the UK.

johndb on December 15 2020 at 18:02

Some Sicilian whites would do goose! A good Etna Bianco like Benantis Biancodicaselle that has riesling like qualities? Or maybe a more forward Planeta?

Fiona Beckett on December 19 2017 at 09:09

Good thought - there's so much good spatburgunder around these days!

EBGB on December 5 2017 at 18:52

German Pinot - spatburgunder - is my go-to for Christmas poultry. It's got the added spice for interest against the fat of either the bird or the trimmings.

Andy Arkell on December 23 2016 at 12:57

Thanks for this! I'm going to go for an Riesling I think. Very happy to avoid reds. I love them but do not recover well from them!

Matt Huntingford on December 23 2016 at 11:22

After several years of trying different reds with the Christmas goose, the most successful match to date was Chateau Musar. There's something about the slightly exotic spicynes that seems to work really well. We'll be having this again this year.

Clare Heal on November 25 2016 at 12:35

Thanks for these! Was thinking red but love the idea of a Gerwurtz.

Fiona Beckett on October 19 2016 at 14:52

That's a really nice idea!

GGarvey on October 19 2016 at 13:34

I always serve a local sparkling Perry with Goose - Hogans Vintage Perry.... it works very well

K Hof on December 5 2014 at 09:23

Thanks for this tip - just ordered Benoit Dreyer - Alsace Reisling 2012 from Naked Wines!

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