Best Wines for Christmas Dinner: Top Picks for a Festive Feast

The festive season is the perfect time to gather with loved ones and indulge in delicious food and fine drinks. A key element of any delightful Christmas dinner is selecting the right wine. This guide aims to simplify the process, ensuring your wine choices complement your festive feast.

Understanding the Importance of Wine Pairing

Wine pairing is much more than just a simple selection. It elevates your dining experience by harmonising flavours, aromas, and textures. Choosing wines that complement your dishes creates balance and enhances enjoyment.

The Art of Wine and Food Pairing

The essence of pairing wine with food lies in creating a connection between the two. Each wine has its own unique profile, which can complement or contrast the flavours of your dish.

Balancing acidity, sweetness, and tannins with the meal can elevate the dining experience to new heights. For example, bold reds can beautifully accentuate the savoury notes of a roast, while a crisp white offers a refreshing counterpoint to rich, creamy dishes. This connection can deepen the appreciation for both the meal and the wine, making every sip and bite a part of a larger story.

Why Wine Pairing Matters for Christmas Dinner

The right wine enriches flavours, sparks conversations, and adds warmth to festive gatherings. Thoughtful wine selections reflect care and elevate the occasion, making memories that last beyond the meal. And with the perfect pairings, you'll earn your place as an unforgettable host!

Exploring Different Types of Wines

With countless wine options, it can be overwhelming, so understanding the basics helps you select those that suit your meal.

Red Wines for Christmas

Red wines often shine at Christmas dinners. A Cabernet Sauvignon offers the depth to complement rich dishes, while a Merlot’s smoothness and soft tannins make it a versatile choice for festive foods. Aged reds, with their complex profiles, bring sophistication to the table, and a Syrah, with its spicy notes and dark fruit flavors, can enhance the savoury elements of your feast.

White Wines for the Holiday Season

White wines are perfect for lighter dishes. A classic Chardonnay pairs beautifully with creamy sauces, while a zesty Sauvignon Blanc complements herb-seasoned foods. For a hint of sweetness and vibrant acidity, a sweeter Riesling or off-dry / sweet Chenin Blanc is ideal, balancing spicy dishes but also adding a nice contrast to salty food.

Sparkling Wines to Add Festive Cheer

Champagne, Cava and Prosecco bring bubbles and vibrancy to your feast. The versatility of sparkling wine allows it to pair well with a range of foods, from appetizers to main courses.

A sparkling rosé adds fruity freshness, making it an excellent option for lighter or festive fare.

If in doubt, you can't go wrong with a Sparkling Wine. 

Wine Recommendations for Christmas Dishes

If you’re seeking the best pairings, here are our Off Piste recommendations to take the guesswork out of your festive wine choices. You can click on the links to learn more about each wine.

Wines to Pair with Roast Turkey

Damien Pinon Tuffo Vouvray Sec AOP 2023 - You can never go wrong with a Chenin Blanc and especially Tuffo! It's incredibly versatile.

La Durbane Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc AOC 2021 - The flavours and texture of this wine will provide an enjoyable contrast while complementing the meat. 

Valenciso Reserva Rioja DOCa Rioja 2016 - Safe, balanced, and a crowd pleaser.

Dominio do Bibei DO Ribeira Sacra 2019 - If you're a Pinot Noir lover, you'll enjoy this high altitude, elegant wine from Ribeira Sacra. 

Best Wines for Ham

Sobrero Moscato d’Asti DOCG 2022 - For a strong salty/sweet contrast. 

Las Pedreras Arquitón DO Cebreros 2022 - Vibrant and acidic, with enough flavour to balance and make it interesting

Daniel Ramos El Berrakin DO Cebreros 2022 - A surprise delight. Fruity and fresh. 

Damien Pinon Les Perruches Vourvray Moëlleux AOP 2020 - For a mild salty / sweet contrast. Like their Tuffo wine, this wine can pair with lots of dishes. If you want to learn more about Chenin Blanc and its various styles, read this blog. 

Wine Pairings for Seafood Dishes

Domaine du Haut Bourg Signature AOP Muscadet Cotes de Grandlieu 2016- A classic pairing. Lean & minerally. 

AT Roca Reserva Classic Penedès 2021 Cava - Another classic pairing. Apples, pears & pastry with bubbles to complement any seafood dish.

Bodega Berroja Lento Latitdo DO Bizkaiko Txakolina 2020 - Both versatile and a crowd pleaser. Refreshing & easy going. If you want to learn more about Txakolina wines from Basque Country, read this blog. 

Best wines for Fillet im Teig

Tenuta Lenzini Casa e Chiesa DOC Colline Lucchesi 2022 - A crowd pleaser -  well balanced, with beautiful fruit and a versatile mouthfeel that wont compete with the meal. 

Valenciso Reserva Rioja DOCa Rioja 2016 - Just the right balance of fruit and body. The tannins are well-integrated and smooth so it only further enhances the dish. 

Best wines for Cheese Fondue

Both of these are Chasselas wines. Light, zingy enough and with floral notes to keep the sipping interesting but not compete with the strong cheese flavours. 

Domaine de Bel Air Pouilly Fumé 2023

Parcelle 168 Altå AOC La Cote 2022

Best wines for Fondue Chinoise

Tenuta Lenzini Poggio de’ Paoli IGT Toscana 2020 - For a medium level - this has great fruit, harmonised tannins and a light touch of oak.

Château Nadal Hainaut Signum AOP Côtes du Roussillon 2018 - For a heavier wine - this is drinking perfectly right now. The fruit is a bit darker, the oak is integrated and the spices bring a nice touch to this dish. 

Dessert Wines for a Sweet Ending

While all of these will pair beautifully with sweet dishes - cakes, puddings and pies -  don't forget to mix it up and pair them with cheeses as well! Enjoy the salty-sweet experience with goat or blue cheese (or any cheese for that matter...)

Damien Pinon Les Perruches Vourvray Moëlleux AOP 2020

Château Nadal Hainaut Tuilé AOP Riversaltes 2001

Château Nadal Hainaut Ambré AOP Riversaltes 2003

Choosing the right wines adds depth to your Christmas dinner and ensures a memorable experience for all. Whether you're a red, white, sparkling, or rosé lover, there are nice options for you to enhance your meals. 

And if you’re looking for a curated list of versatile wines that pair effortlessly with almost any dish (and make last-minute hosting a breeze), click here.

Cheers to a joyful holiday season!