Author: Dirk Chan
Wow…Christmas is almost upon us, so here is our annual picks to accompany the classic turkey and/or ham dinner with all its fixings. Start your evening off with a sparkling wine,followed by whites, reds, a dessert wine and perhaps a lovely port to end off the evening. With the year we’ve all been through, perhaps it is time to go big this year!!
Sparkling Wines
Sparkling wines are a great way to start any function whether its a greeting aperitif or to pair with appetizers. Lively and clean, these will get everyone ready for what’s to come next.
NV La Jara Brut Prosecco (Veneto, Italy) – $18.99
NV Bernard-Massard Cuvée de L’Écusson Brut Rosé (Luxembourg) – $24.99
NV Champalou Vouvray Brut (Loire Valley, France) – $34.99
2016 Selbach-Oster Riesling Sekt Brut (Mosel, Germany) – $41.99
Champagne
Now if you serve Champagne, your audience will immediately know you’re here to do some serious partaking and celebrating.
NV Champagne Baron-Fuente Grande Reserve Brut (Champagne, France) – $52.99
NV Bereche et Fils Brut Reserve Vieilles Vignes (Champagne, France) – $79.99
2013 Pierre Peters Brut Blanc de Blancs Les Chétillons Cuvée Spéciale Grand Cru Le Mesnil (Champagne, France) – $169.99
1990 Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Cave Privée Rosé Brut (Champagne, France) – $449.99
Whites & Pinks
Whites with a touch of sweetness is preferred because of the sweetness of some of the fixings – candied yams, cranberry sauce, and honey for the glazed ham. A completely dry white will seem more austere and void of fruit due to the sweetness of the food so I recommend Rieslings (dry or off-dry, both work), Gewurztraminers or other Germanic or Alsace varietals. Having said that, some will always go with a dry creamy Chardonnay or Chenon irregardless and that’s perfectly fine. Also, don’t forget that rosés work really well too!
2019 Terre Gaie Claris Pinot Grigio (Veneto, Italy) – $20.99
2018 Chai du Grand Vaudasniere Vouvray (Vouvray, France) – $23.99
2019 Gentilini Robola of Cephalonia (Greece) – $31.99
2019 Lunae Etichetta Nera Vermentino (Liguria, Italy) – $44.99
2017 Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Heimbourg (Alsace, France) – $79.99
2018 Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard – Whites Stones Chardonnay (Mendoza, Argentina) – $124.99
2017 Egon Müller Scharzhofberger Riesling Spatlese (Mosel, Germany) – $289.99
2019 Domaine de Belle Mare Duo (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) – $18.99
2019 Gruber Roschitz St. Laurent Rose (Austria) – $24.99
Reds
For reds, try to avoid the big oaky tannic monsters. Oak and tannins are the enemies when pairing with slightly sweet food, try for a red with lots of up-front fruit, little oak and a soft tannins like a Beaujolais (served slightly chilled) or a Pinot Noir.
2016 Quinta Dona Mafalda Little Mafalda Tinto (Douro, Portugal) – $19.99
2017 Azul y Garanza Garciano (Navarra, Spain) – $23.99
2018 Ken Wright Pinot Noir (Oregon – Willamette Valley, United States) – $31.99
2019 Marcel Lapierre Morgon (Beaujolais, France) – $47.99
2015 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco (Piedmont, Italy) – $64.99
2009 Domaine du Clos des Fees Cotes du Roussillon Villages le Clos des Fees (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) – $87.99
2017 Ridge Santa Cruz Mountains Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (California – Central Coast, United States) – $109.99
2011 Château Teyssier Vieux Chateau Mazerat (Bordeaux – St. Emilion, France) – $139.99
1967 Adega Viuva Gomes Collares Reserva Tinto (Colares, Portugal) – $159.99
2012 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Asili DOCG (Piedmont, Italy) – $264.99
2005 Nicolas Potel Clos de la Roche Grand Cru (Burgundy – Cote de Nuits, France) – $429.99
2009 Château La Conseillante (Bordeaux – Pomerol, France) – $529.99
Dessert
As for dessert, remember dessert wine should be sweeter than the dessert itself.
2013 Royal Tokaji 5 Puttonyos Aszu (Hungary) -250mL – $29.99
2011 Barone Ricasoli Castello di Brolio Vin Santo (Tuscany, Italy) – 500mL – $59.99
2017 Henry of Pelham Riesling Icewine (Ontario – Niagara, Canada) – 375mL -$72.99
2004 Château d’Yquem (Bordeaux – Sauternes, France) – 375mL – $319.99
Port (Post Dinner)
Port is always good for the final touches of a meal whether its a ruby or a tawny. Try with blue-veined cheeses and roasted nuts.
1996 Barros Colheita (Douro, Portugal) – 375mL – $26.99
1996 Porto Quevedo Colheita (Douro, Portugal) – $67.99
2008 Fonseca Quinta do Panascal Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $74.99
1967 Messias Colheita (Douro, Portugal) – $229.99
1985 Fonseca Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $389.99
2003 Quinta do Noval Nacional Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $999.99
Finally, if you are pressed for time, try out our December Mixed Case – $228.40 or our December Club 6-Pack – $170.17 where a lot of the wines would pair well with Christmas dinner.
Note our hours of operations leading up to Christmas and between Christmas and New Years.
Everyone, enjoy the holiday season. Best wishes for good health and happiness to everyone!