What will you be sipping on this Christmas?
No one wine pairing wins the day due to such a wide range in dinner selections amongst families. For some it’s a traditional ham, others have salmon, or roast, and I even have a friend who always hosts a spaghetti feed!
In the Leonardson house, it’s chili all the way, every year, with cornbread and a side of mac ‘n cheese. It’s the perfect addition to our open house on Christmas Eve.
Christmas dinner is very much a to each their own sort of meal. It’s about what is traditional in your own home.
Here is a compilation of wine pairings for your holiday feast, whatever that may be!
Sparkling
I always recommend a good sparkler because it pairs well with many dishes. In particular, it goes great with appetizers such as cheese plates with fruit, nuts and charcuterie. It’s also a great accompaniment to salads swathed in vinaigrettes, and it is unexpectedly delightful with cream-based soups!
Look for the labeling of brut (dry), extra brut (very dry) or extra dry (which actually means off-dry and may also be labeled as extra sec).
Sparkling wine also pairs awesomely with desserts and goodies, always plentiful at Christmastime. When pairing with treats, look for the labels demi-sec (sweet) or doux (very sweet) in order to add to the sugary goodness.
Viognier
Viognier is a white wine that originated in the Rhône Valley of France and is the state grape of Virginia. Perhaps since Virginia is also famous for its ham, it makes some kind of cosmic sense that Viognier and ham go together so amazingly. Glaze the meat in maple syrup and spike it with cloves to really knock this food and wine pairing out of the park!
Gewurztraminer
Having Chinese, Thai or Indian cuisine this holiday season? Look to the aromatic and fruity white wine Gewurztraminer. The added heat and texture in many of these foods are tempered superbly by the fruity and floral notes of the wine.
Gewurz is also your wine if you are having a vegan or vegetarian meal.
Chardonnay
If your favorite Christmas dish is salmon or heavier fish such as halibut or tuna, Chardonnay is your best bet. It’s also a favorite for shellfish like lobster, crab, and scallops. Want to season with lemon, dill, rosemary, thyme or scallions? Even better!
Look for oak aged Chardonnays as opposed to stainless steel aged wines.
Chianti
This may be the most unexpected pick for Christmas, but for my friend having the spaghetti feed and anyone else having a tomato-based sauce over pasta, I highly recommend Chianti. It’s often made entirely of Sangiovese, the top grape varietal of Italy.
Search for Chianti Classico and Chianti Classico Riserva and I promise it won’t disappoint – particularly when you drink it alongside tomatoes, olives and pasta!
Bordeaux
The Bordeaux region of France produces some of the finest wines in the world. Because red Bordeaux is full-bodied and complex in taste and aroma, it’s important to have a food pairing that compliments the wine in a simple and heavy way. Prime rib is an excellent example – try it and be amazed at this magical match!
Cabernet Sauvignon
Serving pot roast? Have some Cabernet Sauvignon to go with it! While the wine is high in tannins (which can have a bitter taste and dry mouthfeel) the food is high in protein and fat and together they balance out beautifully.
Syrah
Remember how I said it was chili all the way at the Leonardson house on Christmas Eve? I know I’m not alone in this. If chili is your dish too, pair it with Syrah and rejoice because it tastes fabulous! The natural spiciness of Syrah compliments the many spices of chili, in particular cumin and chili pepper. It also goes well with sausage, which is often used as the meat component of chili.
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With so many amazing wine options, you now have a list at your fingertips to serve alongside your Christmas dinner.
Are you having something that you don’t see on the list? Leave me a comment or drop an email (m@michelleleonardson.com) and I would be happy to let you know your perfect pairing!
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