7 Christmas Wines Kris Kringle Can’t Resist
While Kris Kringle or Santa Claus is known for his milk and cookie preferences, we can only imagine that he needs a real good night cap after a long night of delivering gifts all around the world. With our expert beverage knowledge, we put together seven wine and liqueur ideas that would definitely please Santa this Christmas.
Here are seven Christmas wines that Santa Claus can’t resist!
Milk & Cookies-Inspired Wine
To maintain the tradition of leaving milk and cookies for Santa, you could consider a dessert wine that complements the flavors of cookies. A sweet and rich Port, Madeira is a fantastic choice – A rich and sweet port might be just the thing Santa craves after a long night’s work. Its deep flavors and smooth texture could provide a perfect moment of relaxation, making it one of the best Christmas wines.
Spiced Mulled Wine
Given the chilly North Pole temperatures, Santa might appreciate a warming spiced red wine that embodies the festive spirit of the holidays. Consider a traditional mulled wine with festive spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. This would be perfect for Santa to sip by the fireplace after a long chilly night of delivering gifts all over the globe.
Making mulled wine yourself? Choosing the right wine is simple – go for a fruity, balanced, and neutral red. Since you will be adding spices, you don’t need to worry too much about a spicy flavor profile. Our suggestion is a delicious red blend, like Domenico Winery’s Mambo Italiano. If you happen to have an open bottle red that is on its last day, even better! Mulled wine originated also as a way to repurpose wine that was going bad.
Champagne or Sparkling Wine
What better way for Santa to celebrate a successful Christmas than with some bubbly? A glass of champagne might be a delightful indulgence for him. To celebrate the joyous occasion of Christmas, Kris would love a glass of Champagne as a little fancy reward for all his hard holiday work. While Champagne is a crowd-pleaser, Santa will most definitely appreciate other unique sparkling wines from Prosecco to Cava to even California Champagne. No matter what you choose, a glass of sparkling wine will add a bit of elegance and effervescence to the festivities.
Santa’s Reserve Red Wine
One of the best Christmas wines isn’t a specific wine, but rather creating a playful label for a special “Santa’s Reserve” red wine. Choose a robust red wine that you adore – this could be a Cabernet Sauvignon, Aglianico, or Syrah, and let it age in the cellar until Christmas. The novelty of having a personalized wine might make it irresistible for the jolly old man.
Prefer less robust reds? Fortunately Pinot Noir is a more light to medium-bodied red that can age quite gracefully. Its innately earthy characteristics make it excellent for all the Christmas fare.
Riesling
A well-balanced off-dry or sweet Riesling extends that touch that Kris Kringle craves as he’s traveling down the chimney. Its versatility could make it a charming choice for pairing with festive desserts. So, if you don’t like to leave Santa the usual cookies and milk – Riesling is an excellent pick if you like to leave Santa a nice slice of apple pie, cheesecake, or any zesty dessert.
Ice Wine
If the North Pole had a signature wine, it would be Ice wine. This wine is a particular style of dessert wine made from frozen grapes – the ultimate treat for Santa. Ice wine is known for its intense sweetness and concentrated flavors, giving Santa just the sugar boost he will need after an exhausting day delivering gifts all over the globe. Cookies optional!
Peppermint Schnapps (or any minty liqueur or bitters!)
To capture the essence of candy canes and peppermint treats often associated with Christmas, Santa might enjoy a peppermint-flavored liqueur or schnapps. It can be sipped on its own or added to hot cocoa for a festive twist. Alternatively, you can explore the world of Italian amari, or bitters, with magical digestive powers that Santa will surely need after a long night of eating cookies.
Of course, these suggestions are purely to entertain our imaginations as Santa’s hard work deserves a good treat. Whether you still prefer to stick with the classic cookies and milk or branch out with these Christmas wines, Santa will surely be looking forward to visiting your home this Christmas!
