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 this year add a little meditation course for Amaro or Port.
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.
2013 Domaine Rosier Cuvee du Rosier (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) – $19.99
NV Luis Pato Bruto Vinho Espumante Rosado (Bairrada, Portugal) – $19.99
2012 Anthonij Rupert Wines L’Ormarins Blanc de Blancs (Franschoek, South Africa) – $38.99
Champagne
Now if you serve Champagne, your audience will immediately know you’re here to do some serious partaking and celebrating.
NV Champagne Pierre Paillard Brut Grand Cru (Champagne, France) – $58.99
NV Comte Audoin de Dampierre Cuvée des Ambassadeurs (Champagne, France) – $72.99
NV Egly-Ouriet Grand Cru VP Extra Brut (Champagne, France) – $159.99
NV Moet & Chandon MCIII (Champagne, France) – $629.99
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!
2017 Hess Family Amalaya Salto Torrontes Riesling (Calchaqui, Argentina) – $16.99
2015 Erbes Urzinger Wurzgarten Riesling Spatlese (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany) – $23.99
2016 Tentenublo Rioja Blanco (Rioja, Spain) – $35.99
2010 Domaine Lucien Jacob Savigny-Vergelesses Premiere Cru (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – $49.99
2010 Donnhoff Norheimer Dellchen Riesling Trocken (Nahe, Germany) – $89.99
2015 Domaine Roux Pere & Fils Chassagne-Montrachet Les Macherelles Premier Cru (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – $124.99
2016 Domaine de Cristia Collection Rosé (Provence, France) – $21.99
2016 Agricola Tiberio Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo (Abruzzi, Italy) – $28.99
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.
2014 Cave Saint-Verny Puy de Dome Pinot Noir (Loire Valley, France) – $19.99
2015 Jean-Marc Burgaud Beaujolais Villages Les Vignes de Thulon (Beaujolais, France) – $23.99
2014 Dominique Piron Chiroubles (Beaujolais, France) – $25.99
2014 Jean-Marc Burgaud Morgon Côte du Py (Beaujolais, France) – $28.99
2012 Domaine Pavelot Savigny les Beaune (Burgundy, France) – $39.99
2015 Trisaetum Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley, Oregon) – $44.99
2009 Quinta do Portal Grande Reserva (Douro, Portugal) – $49.99
1989 Château de Chaintres Saumur-Champigny (Loire Valley, France) – $71.99
2013 Keenan Cabernet Sauvignon (California – Napa Valley, United States) – $74.99
2011 Stephane Vedeau Cote-Rotie J. Boutin Bonnevaux (Rhone Valley, France) – $85.99
2010 Poderi di Luigi Einaudi Barolo Cannubi (Piedmont, Italy) – $114.99
22009 Louis Jadot Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru (Burgundy – Cote de Nuits, France) – $179.99
1995 Château Clinet (Bordeaux – Pomerol, France) – $319.99
Dessert
As for dessert, remember dessert wine should be sweeter than the dessert itself.
2009 Royal Tokaji 5 Puttonyos Aszu (Hungary) – 250mL – $24.99
2014 Donnafugata Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria (Sicily, Italy) – 375mL -$47.99
2009 Zind-Humbrecht Clos Jebsal Vendange Tardive Pinot Gris – 375mL (Alsace, France) – $59.99
2004 Chateau d’Yquem – 375mL (Sauterne, France) – $319.99
Port & Amaro (Post Dinner)
Port is always good for the final touches of a meal, but the digestif Amaro from Italy is on fire.
Lucano 1894 Basilicata Amaro (Sicily, Italy) – $39.99
Berta Amaro (Sicily, Italy) – $66.99
1995 Barros Colheita (Douro, Portugal) – 375mL – $24.99
2011 Porto Quevedo Late Bottled Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $33.99
2012 Taylor Fladgate Quinta de Vargellas Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $84.99
1965 Messias Colheita (Douro, Portugal) – $214.99
1987 Niepoort Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $169.99
Finally, if you are pressed for time, try out our December Mixed Case – $227.48 or our December Club 6-Pack – $177.90 where a lot of the wines would pair well with Christmas dinner.
Note our extended hours of operations leading up to Christmas and New Years.
Top of the Season to everyone!
Return to devinewines.ca