A Guide to the Best Wines for Christmas
There’s nothing like the holidays. It’s the most festive time of the year! And, also the time when you definitely eat the most. With so many dishes, from entrees to side dishes, and desserts, you have to find a good strategy. And, wine can really help with that. Yet, you may feel a little overwhelmed in picking the best wines for Christmas. So, we’re here to help!
Luckily, with so many unique kinds of foods served on Thanksgiving, there are so many wines to choose from. This means there’s something to sip for everyone. To simplify your wine shopping, we’re giving the lowdown on all the best Christmas wines that will make your celebration dazzle, from whites to reds to sparkling wines.
Here’s A Guide to The Best Wines for Christmas!
Everyone Loves Champagne!
Seriously, if you feel overwhelmed picking the best wines for Christmas dinner, just go for Champagne or any reliable bottle of bubbles. Sparkling wines are friends of many Christmas appetizers, entrees, and even desserts. That’s because many sparkling wines – especially Champagne – have the acidity and freshness to keep up with even the richest holiday foods. Mashed potatoes? Yes. A perfect apple galette? Yes, that too. Also, who doesn’t love champagne? Or bubbles? Truly hard to find someone who will turn a glass of lively sparkling down.
White Wines for Christmas
Yes, white wines are also winter wines. Knowing the right white wines for your Christmas feast will definitely carry on the holiday cheer.
One of the most versatile Christmas white wines is Riesling. First, Riesling is delicious. Second, it comes in dry and sweet styles, making it adaptable to the diversity of holiday foods.
But, what Riesling really brings to the Thanksgiving table is acidity. Riesling’s high level of acidity can complement and cut through any delectably rich dish. Mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potato casserole, cornbread – you name it and Riesling can handle it. This goes for dry and sweet Rieslings, although drier styles will taste better with saltier, more light foods (like a major cheese and charcuterie spread!)
Sauvignon Blanc is also an excellent Christas white wine pick. This French varietal offers just as brilliant acidity as Riesling, helping you stay refreshed between your plates of food. Sauvignon Blanc also comes in a couple of different styles. You can choose a green and citrusy Sancerre or a tropical fruit-forward New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs. The choice all depends on your food and flavor preference!
Red Wines for Christmas
Red wine is a pretty vast category, especially when it comes to Christmas. There are foods to match light-bodied, medium-bodied, and full-bodied reds. So, your head may begin to spin a little. Don’t fret!
Pinot Noir is a great go-to. This wine is elegant and poised but can carry on through lots of delicious holiday delights. Pinot Noir’s concentrated red fruit has a freshness like the cranberries you’d add to your stuffing or brussel sprouts. Plus, its herbaceous elements make it a natural pairing for white meats that you may prepare (yes, we’re talking to the folks who love to eat turkey on Christmas too.)
Another reliable red wine for Christmas is a Gamay-based wine, like Beaujolais. It has similar elements to Pinot Noir, in its fruit, bright acidity, and floralness. If going for a Beaujolais, try to find one that extends more earthy qualities than bubble-gum flavors.
As for those big wine drinkers, you don’t have to renounce your full-bodied reds completely for Christmas. There is larger-bodied wine that can play a role during this mega feast. Zinfindel keeps up with all the food festivities. That’s because Zin doesn’t have crazy tannins and overwhelming spice notes like other full-bodied wines may have. Rather, Zin has rich fruit and spice notes that play nice with all sorts of foods, from roasts to raspberry-chocolate tarts.
Remember to Always Finish on a Sweet Note
Christmas cannot end without lots of desserts. Often, many overlook dessert wine. Let’s change up the tradition this year and introduce awesome dessert wines that will transform your dessert game at your next holiday extravaganza.
First pairing goal? Pie. What’re the holidays without pie? When it comes to apple or pumpkin pie, you can’t go wrong with a Pedro Ximenez sherry. This fortified wine’s rich flavors almost remind you of molasses, with its sugar, spice, and everything nice kind of flavors. These elements complement all the baking spices in both kinds of pie, making a Pedro Ximenez sherry an irresistible addition to your dessert table.
Ruby port is the go-to for chocolate lovers. This fortified wine has all those raspberry and cherry fruit flavors that just adore chocolate. If you’re looking to try something super special, the Black Silk dessert wine from Domenico Winery is a port-style dessert wine that was crafted with chocolate lovers in mind. For desserts like carrot cake or hummingbird cake, late-harvest Riesling is a no-brainer pick. It offers all the honey and dried fruit qualities that pair just right with a fluffy cake with cream cheese icing.
Wines for Christmas? Check!
Having the wine to match your delicious foods on Christmas really makes the holiday cheer even brighter. We hope that you found a wine in this guide that will suit your holiday celebrations.
And, if you’re looking to have your ‘own wine’ this holiday season, Domenico Winery offers customized wine labels, letting you add a personal touch to your holiday gifts. You can discover all the options here!
