What wine goes well with stuffed capon?

Capon is the quintessential holiday bird. But what would a family meal be without a good wine...whose flavors pair perfectly with this juicy poultry? 
Depending on the side dishes and how your capon is cooked, it will have a more or less pronounced flavor, be crispier, or more tender... Thus, for every capon, there is a wine—or at least a category of wine—that will bring out its best qualities. In reality, the wine must pair perfectly with the ingredients in the capon’s stuffing. The stuffing gives the capon its unique flavor, and it is these flavors that will harmonize with the wines. The question is relatively simple: what wine should you serve with a stuffed capon?

Wines that pair well with stuffed capon

First of all, you should know that capon goes very well with red wines, such as white wines. These two types of wine will offer different—but equally delicious—flavors. You should therefore choose your wine based on your own preferences or those of your guests. 
Red wine, particularly aged red wines, pairs beautifully with this poultry. Aged red wines have mellow tannins that won’t become harsh when combined with the meat. This enhances the flavors without making the meat taste tougher. 
White wine, on the other hand, can be a bit tart. If you choose aged white wines, the acidity will be less pronounced. White wine is highly recommended when capon is served with mushrooms or woody elements.

White wines to complement capon

Ideally, you might choose a Chenin, Melon de Bourgogne, Riesling, Bordeaux, Burgundy, or Provence wine. The selection is quite extensive. To give you a few specific examples, capon pairs well with a Saumur Brézé aged over 8 years. Saumur Brézé blanc is a renowned wine: its fruity notes and floral aromas complement the white meat of the capon perfectly. 
A stuffed capon is perfectly complemented by a Muscadet. This wine has a crisp, clean finish, with floral and briny notes. While a Muscadet is perfect with oysters, it also brings out the mild flavor of the capon. 
An Alsace Grand Cru will also reveal its full flavor profile when paired with capon. For this pairing, you should choose an aged wine—at least 12 years old. It is a noble, aromatic grape variety, rich in sugar. The contrast between the savory notes of the capon and the sweet notes of the wine will be sublime. 
You might also consider a Burgundy that’s over 10 years old. White Burgundy may be an unconventional choice, yet it is sure to delight your guests’ palates. Burgundy is known for its fruity notes, particularly hints of citrus, tropical fruits, or pineapple. Its particularly fresh notes pair subtly with the white meat of poultry.

Red wines to complement capon

If you prefer to serve red wine to your guests, some of these will be perfect! You’ll still want to opt for mature wines that will complement the meat. In that case, you can choose iconic wines, such as Pauillac or Saint-Émilion. By selecting a wine that’s about ten years old, you’ll add character and depth to your capon. 
A Saumur-Champigny from the Loire Valley would be a good choice. Saumur-Champigny is made from Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. This blend offers fruity and spicy notes that complement the seasoning of the capon. 
For more body and character, you can pair your capon with a Mercurey. This Burgundy wine features woody and vanilla notes. These notes, which evoke nature and the forest, pair perfectly with roasted poultry, such as capon or turkey. 
A Côte de Beaune, aged just a few years, will have notes of red fruit. The red fruit will lend a distinctive sweetness to the meat. Paired with capon, this wine will highlight the quality of the white meat.

What wine goes well with a capon stuffed with dried fruit?

Capon is not a particularly complex dish. As a result, many wines pair wonderfully with it. However, the accompaniments you serve with the capon will influence your choice of wine. Therefore, if you choose to cook your capon with dried fruits—such as prunes, apricots, or raisins—the wine should have different characteristics. 
A Mâcon Serrières will bring out fragrant notes, particularly hints of cherry. These notes will blend subtly with the flavors of dried fruit. Mâcon Serrières can also be used to soak dried fruit before cooking. A red Brouilly is one of the best wines to pair with poultry, charcuterie, and white meats. Brouilly is lightly fragrant and will take a back seat to the capon.

What wine goes well with a stuffed capon roast?

A capon roast is an unusual cut of capon. The capon is actually deboned to create a roast, which is then trussed. Removing the bones from the bird affects the flavor: the capon meat won’t taste the same—it will be more tender, but it will lose some of its character. 
Therefore, it is important to pair roast capon with a full-bodied wine. A red Pinot Noir, for example, has a deep color and firm tannins. The power and character of this wine will bring out new depth in the meat. It pairs perfectly with poultry, especially seasoned poultry. 
On the contrary, you might opt for a red Chinon. This red wine is full-bodied and smooth; it won’t clash with the poultry but will complement it perfectly.

What wine should you drink with a capon stuffed with foie gras?

It’s not uncommon during the holidays to enjoy a delicious capon stuffed with foie gras. Foie gras is a rich dish, often with peppery notes. To pair with poultry stuffed with foie gras, you might choose a Saint Aubin Blanc. Saint Aubin is a wine that is both dry and smooth. Its raspberry-like notes will enhance the flavor of the foie gras. 
Similarly, a white Sauternes is an excellent choice. Sauternes is a sweet wine with a very broad range of aromas. As such, it pairs perfectly with poultry. Its citrus-like notes complement foie gras beautifully.

What wine goes well with a capon stuffed with chestnuts?

While capon with foie gras and roast capon are iconic dishes, we mustn’t forget the traditional capon stuffed with chestnuts. The chestnuts add a distinctively nutty flavor to the poultry. Therefore, you should choose a very fruity wine to complement the flavor of the chestnuts. 
The Pinot Noir from Domaine Otter—and perhaps a Pinot Noir from Domaine Agathe Bursin—would be excellent choices to pair with this dish. The notes of red fruit and the peppery undertones found in such a wine will add vitality and a touch of spice to the capon. 
You might also opt for a white wine, such as a Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which offers a full range of flavors. Notes of yellow fruit stand out in particular: apricot is very prominent, as are hints of thyme and rosemary, which add an elegant touch to the dish.

What’s the perfect wine to pair with stuffed capon?

Stuffed capon is a complex dish. The wine must pair well not only with the poultry but also with the ingredients in the stuffing. As a result, finding the perfect wine is impossible... Depending on your personal tastes and preferences, you can find various wines that pair well with your capon. All that’s left is to enjoy the meal...