Suggestions For The Best Wines To Serve On Christmas Day

Christmas is creeping closer, and it’s time to start thinking about what you will drink on the big day! Whether you’re having a small gathering or a large crowd, good wine can help to get everyone into the festive spirit and enhance the delicious food. Here are some suggestions to help you choose the best Christmas wines. 

A sparkling start to the day

It’s traditional to welcome the big day with an early Champagne toast. However, if you want a more budget-friendly alternative, there are plenty of options. Prosecco is a big favourite, and its light fresh flavour and low alcohol content make it more suitable for sipping earlier in the day, particularly if this is not your usual habit!

Other great choices for a glass of bubbly include Crémant, which is very similar to Champagne but produced in a different region of France and generally has a lower price tag, or Cava, which is produced in Spain. Don’t overlook English sparkling wine, which has acquired a strong international reputation in recent years.  

If you are ordering online, research independent sparkling wine suppliers, who will have interesting high-quality alternatives to the big supermarkets at affordable prices. 

White wines for starters and seafoods

Seafood such as salmon are a popular choice for starters on Christmas day, and it’s fine to carry on serving the fizz if that’s to everyone’s taste. However, some guests may prefer a nice crisp Sauvignon Blanc, which pairs well with oily fish as it balances out the flavours and textures. 

Red wines for traditional Turkey Christmas dinner

Turkey may be a white meat, but Christmas dinner tends to be served with rich accompaniments, and a white wine can be underwhelming. Instead, go for a medium bodied red such as Pinot Noir, Beaujolais or Grenache. If you really prefer white, go for a full-bodied oaked Chardonnay.

Bold wines to serve with beef or goose

If you are having a richer meat such as beef or goose, go for a bold full bodied red that will stand up to the fatty textures and strong flavours. Good choices may be a velvety Malbec, a spicy Shiraz, or a rich fruity Bordeaux. 

Dessert wines to round it all off

If you are having traditional Christmas pudding for dessert, you’ll need something short and sweet to go with it. Great choices include Spanish sherry such as Pedro Ximinéz, which has an intense sweet flavour. Alternatively, you could go for French dessert wine Sauternes, which goes well with both sweeting puddings and cheese. 

If you are serving a cheese board, port is the classic choice of fortified wine to accompany it. The sweetness balances out the saltiness of the cheese perfectly.