Match #1: A Smooth and Juicy Red

A mid-weight red, without puckering tannins, will shine without overpowering the flavor of the meat.

ZEROING IN Merlot has been in the doghouse since the movie Sideways, but the cool nights in Washington state’s Columbia Valley produce a balanced wine, different from clunky California merlots. With cherry aromas and light tannins, these reds go with both a robust turkey and a wide variety of sides at the holiday table.

Snoqualmie, Merlot, Washington, 2007 ($11)

Columbia Crest, Grand Estates Merlot, Washington, 2007 ($12)