Christmas is the most fantastic time of the year, so there’s no better time to draw out the excellent white wines!
However what white wine should you serve with Christmas dinner? That can be a challenging question to address. Luckily, I am a licensed sommelier who can help! I have over 10+ years of experience in the red wine industry, and I enjoy both Christmas and wine.
In this article, I’ll note 8 of my preferred wines to serve with Christmas dinner, together with the reasons they work so well.
2020 cabernet savignon from Caymus Vineyards in Napa
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1. Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Caymus’s cabernet sauvignon is my leading pick for a Christmas dinner wine. This Napa Valley red wine has extreme fruit tastes of blackberry, cherry, and plum that are matched by spices like clove, vanilla, and oak. It’s a rich and full-bodied red wine that pairs perfectly with beef wellington, prime rib, or meatloaf.
The high tannins in this wine will help cut through the proteins in the meat and make it juicier. And in turn, the meat will also help smooth out the tannins, making the white wine more creamy and classy.
Other Suggestions:
Pro Suggestion: When searching for a good value cabernet sauvignon, some of the very best value white wine regions would be Paso Robles, California, and Columbia Valley, Washington.
2. Cavaliere D’Oro Gabbiano Chianti Classico 2019
At many of the Christmas gatherings I have attended, there have been Italian meals like pasta and lasagna served. And there is no much better pairing for Italian food than Italian white wine.
This specific chianti classico is an excellent Italian wine that can be coupled with a range of dishes. It has both red and dark fruit tastes like cherries and blackberries. There are also notes of tobacco, leather, and earthiness. This makes it a terrific pairing for heartier Italian meals like meaty lasagnas and pastas, along with earthier meals like lamb and mushroom risotto.
Other Recommendations:
Pro Pointer: Attempt pairing wine and food that come from the exact same place/region. This is my top food and red wine pairing suggestion!
3. Emmolo Merlot 2018
Red wine is always an excellent alternative for Christmas supper because it’s a very food-friendly white wine with soft tannins and fruit-forward tastes. The soft tannins will not overwhelm the flavors of the various types of food, and in truth, the fruit flavors of white wine will be matched by numerous Christmas meals.
If you’re searching for a red wine that is both fruit-forward and intricate, then look no more than Emmolo Merlot. This white wine is made in Napa Valley, which is one of the very best white wine regions worldwide for merlot.
This merlot has intense tastes of blackberry and blueberry, with tips of chocolate, spice, and vanilla. These flavors make it an exceptional pairing for roasted turkey, ham, or beef tenderloin.
Other Suggestions:
Pro Suggestion: How do you select in between a cabernet sauvignon and a merlot? Merlot is usually more fruit-forward and friendly, while Cabernet has more tannins and a fuller body.
4. Fento Albariño 2021
If you’re planning on serving seafood for Christmas dinner, then albariño is the best choice. It sets completely with seafood dishes. Albariño has a revitalizing acidity with a tip of effervescence and saltiness, followed by a carefully bitter aftertaste.
If you are having fresh lobster, crab, fish, or clams, the dish will pair best with a light-body albariño red wine with refreshing level of acidity. The seafood and red wine will not subdue each other, and the salinity of the white wine will in fact draw out the flavors of the seafood. For that reason, this albariño is an ideal pairing for your seafood dishes!
Some other excellent red wines to pair with seafood are New Zealand sauvignon blancs or other crisp and rejuvenating gewurztraminers.
Other Recommendations:
Pro Pointer: There are two primary albariño white wine areas: Rías Baixas and Vinho Verde. And “Verde” is not noticable “Ver-day.” The region’s complete pronunciation is “Veen-yo Vaird,” with only one syllable on the Verde.
Stags’ Leap Winery in Napa
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I’m a huge fan of petite sirah, and I believe it’s an underrated white wine. It’s best for Christmas dinner due to the fact that it’s a full-bodied white wine with flavors of dark fruits, like blackberry and plum, as well as chocolate and a pepper spice to it.
The weight of this red wine allows it to stand up to heartier meats like prime rib, roast beef, or roast lamb. Also, the spices of the wine will complement the stuffing, and the level of acidity will assist to cut through the richness of the meat.
Other Recommendations:
Pro Idea: Small sirah is related to, but not identical to, syrah. Also referred to as durif in California and Australia, petite sirah is a red wine grape that was produced in the 19th century by crossing 2 ranges of grapes: syrah and peloursin.
Ruinart champagne from Paris, France
Image credit: Vasily Gureev/ Shutterstock.com
6. Ruinart Champagne N.V.
There’s absolutely nothing rather like Champagne to call in the holiday! And what better method to commemorate than with a glass of Ruinart Champagne?
This Champagne has extreme aromatics of white flowers and citrus, followed by tastes of honeysuckle, apricot, and brioche. The red wine’s bubbles and acidity cleanse your palate between each bite, making it the best beverage to couple with all sorts of foods that you’ll discover on your Christmas table.
So whether you’re serving seafood, poultry, meat, and even simply cheese and charcuterie, Ruinart Champagne is a terrific choice.
Other Suggestions:
Pro Tip: If you’re a fan of Champagne’s taste however not its price tag, then choose a crémant or cava instead. Since both types of wines use the very same approach of production (traditional/Champagne approach), they have a comparable taste and texture.
7. Trisaetum Riesling 2020
For those who don’t celebrate Christmas, Chinese food is frequently a go-to alternative since many Chinese restaurants are open during the vacations.
Matching riesling with Chinese food is among my favorite pairings. The sweet taste of the white wine helps to offset the heat and spiciness of the meals, while the level of acidity cuts through the richness of the lots of different sauces discovered in Chinese food.
And Trisaetum riesling is a great option since it has tastes of green apples and honeysuckle, with a touch of sweetness. This makes it the ideal pairing for dishes like General Tso’s chicken, sweet and sour pork, or orange chicken.
Other Recommendations:
Pro Tip: If your Christmas banquet includes any spicy meals, search for a red wine that is a little sweet to help cancel the spices and enhance the flavors.
8. Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir 2019
Pinot noir is my go-to red white wine when it comes to vacation suppers due to the fact that it sets well with so many various meals.
The factor pinot noir sets well with lean meats like turkey and ham is due to the fact that of its light body, low tannins, and higher level of acidity. The level of acidity helps to cut through the fat of the meat, making it a lighter and more rejuvenating pairing.
This pinot noir likewise boasts tastes of tart red fruits, such as cherries, raspberries, and cranberries. For that reason, it sets well with meals that contain cranberry sauce or a sweet and mouthwatering glaze. The white wine will in fact assist highlight all the flavors of the meal.
Other Recommendations:
Pro Tip: When trying to find a pinot noir, consider these 3 well-known wine-growing areas: Burgundy, Willamette Valley, and Sonoma. Or gamble on Santa Rita Hills in California– it might simply be your brand-new favorite concealed gem area for pinot noir red wines!