Blog
The holiday season fills life with the warmth of twinkling lights, the scent of festive dishes, and the company of our loved ones. There’s no better way to celebrate the festival of Christmas than gathering around the dinner table for a feast. A traditional Christmas dinner often features dishes such as roast turkey, glazed ham, buttery mashed potatoes, and spiced puddings. Rich in flavour and made from heirloom recipes, these dishes deserve a companion that enhances their allure, and that’s where wine comes in.
A thoughtfully chosen wine enhances the flavours of every dish, from savoury roasts to decadent desserts, turning a meal into a celebration. With the endless diversity in wine styles, you can curate a selection that pleases every guest, making your dinner table a true reflection of the holiday spirit.
Since wine is such a diverse beverage, there is a style for every dish and every moment of the celebration. You can start the evening with crisp and fizzy sparkling toast that kicks off the evening, move to zesty whites and light reds that pair well with appetisers, and then move on to bold red wines for hearty preparations. It is always great to end a Christmas dinner with some indulgent wines that pair well with desserts like plum cake and chocolate tarts.
By understanding the basics of food and wine pairing, you can create a dining experience that brings harmony to your holiday feast, making every bite and sip more memorable.
Also Read: Best Indian Wines Under ₹2000 for Your Christmas Party
Here are five essential tips for wine and food pairing Christmas dinner:
- Pair sparkling wines with salty, briny or greasy foods
- Pair white wines with lean proteins like fish or chicken, or creamy sauces
- Pair red wines with meats known for intense flavours or tangy sauces made from tomato.
- Pick a rose for the table as it can effortlessly pair with a variety of dishes.
- Go for crowd-pleasing wines as they will enhance enjoyment and appeal to novices and enthusiasts alike.
Christmas Wine And Food Pairing Recommendations
Sensi 18K Prosecco Pure Gold DOC Brut 2023 with croquette
Set the mood for a joyful evening with a glass of lively prosecco. This Italian bubbly offers pleasant aromas of pear, apple, and subtle hints of aromatic herbs. The wine will reinvigorate your palate after every bite of greasy and piping-hot croquette or mozzarella sticks with its fine and persistent bubbles. Alternatively, you can also serve it alongside a charcuterie board with creamy brie or camembert cheeses.
Importer: Gusto Imports
Price: ₹4350
Wente Vineyards Morning Fog Chardonnay Central Coast 2021 with Turkey Roast
This full-bodied white wine with racy acidity and delightful flavours of pear, apple crisp pineapple and honeysuckle matches the weight and flavour intensity of a turkey roast. Its creamy texture will add a sense of indulgence to your meal while notes of oak will give it an added complexity. The Morning Fog is also a great wine to serve at wine dinners if your guests prefer a wine with pleasant fruity notes over a complex one with intense flavours.
Importer: VBev
Price: ₹3650
Also Read: Red Wines For Your Dream Collection
La Vieille Ferme Rosé 2022 with roasted vegetables
Who doesn’t love a glass of refreshing rosé? Made from Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah grape varieties, La Vieille Ferme Rosé wows with sensational notes of red fruits, juicy nectarines, and blood oranges. Its tangy flavours and enjoyable acidity make it a fine companion for Christmas sides like roasted carrots, turnips, artichokes and baked sweet potato. Nonetheless, the wine also pairs well with a hearty lentil soup, if you are in the mood for something warm and comforting.
Importer: Sonarys Co-Brands
Price: ₹2470
D’Arenberg The Footbolt Shiraz McLaren Vale 2019 with glazed ham
The Footbolt complements the smoky, sweet and salty glazed ham with its red fruits and dark chocolate aromas, unravelling in flavours of dark berries, plums and blueberries on the palate. This bold Australian Shiraz will be a hit among guests with its fruit-forward flavours, making your meal thoroughly enjoyable.
Importer: Brindco
Price: ₹3,150
Black Tower Club Edition Riesling 2022 with Christmas pudding
This delightful German Riesling offers an enchanting mix of mirabelle plums, juicy peaches, zesty lemons, and subtle balsamic notes. On the palate, it is medium sweet with crisp and lively character, with lingering notes of lemon that leave a lasting impression. Its sweet notes and refreshing flavours pair effortlessly with traditional Christmas pudding or cookies and milk, bringing a sweet and indulgent end to the festive dinner.
Importer: Aspri Spirits
Price: ₹2490
Looking for more such wine recommendations? Check out the winners’ list of India Wines And Spirits Award 2024 here.
