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.
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 Cava Varias La Bona Vida Brut (Catalonia, Spain) – $18.99
NV La Jara Brut Prosecco (Italy) – $18.99
NV Château de Targe Saumur Brut Rose (Loire Valley, France) – $31.49
2015 Campolargo Espumante Bruto Rosé (Bairrada, Portugal) – $37.99
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) – $49.99
NV Champagne Collet Brut Art Deco (Champagne, France) – $71.99
NV Ruinart Brut Rosé (Champagne, France) – $119.99
2002 Moet & Chandon Dom Pérignon Brut (Champagne, France) – $379.99
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 Chateau de la Mulonniere M de Mulonniere Anjou Chenin Blanc (Loire Valley, France) – $23.99
2016 Schlossgut Diel Riesling Kabinett Dorsheim Goldloch (Nahe, Germany) – $42.99
2017 Terras Gauda Abadia de San Campio Albarino (Rias Baixas, Spain) – $24.99
2017 Domaine Bernard Defaix Chablis Vieilles Vignes (Chablis, France) – $39.99
2017 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Clos Häuserer (Alsace, France) – $87.99
2016 Valle de Passos Rose (Tras os Montes, Portugal) – $26.99
2017 Markus Kuntz-Riedlin Spatburgunder Rosé (Baden, Germany) – $36.99
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 Manos Negras Pinot Noir (Mendoza, Argentina) – $19.99
2017 Emotivo Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (Abruzzi, Italy) – $16.99
2017 Clos de la Roilette Fleurie (Beaujolais, France) – $24.99
2015 San Fabiano Calcinaia Casa Boschino Toscana (Tuscany, Italy) – $19.99
2016 Lungarotti Ilbio IGT Rosso (Umbria, Italy) – $34.99
2017 Stoller Dundee Hills Pinot Noir (Oregon, United States) – $43.99
2015 Silenus Merlot (California – Napa Valley, United States) – $69.99
2009 Aldo Conterno Barolo Bussia (Piedmont, Italy) – $109.99
1967 Adega Viuva Gomes Collares Reserva Tinto (Colares, Portugal) – $159.99
2000 Château Lafon-Rochet (Bordeaux – St. Estephe, France) – $169.99
2009 Louis Jadot Echézeaux Grand Cru (Burgundy – Cote de Nuits, France) – $279.99
1995 Château Clinet (Bordeaux – Pomerol, France) – $319.99
Dessert
As for dessert, remember dessert wine should be sweeter than the dessert itself.
2013 Royal Tokaji 5 Puttonyos Aszu (Hungary) -250mL – $29.99
2013 Tawse Chardonnay Icewine (Ontario – Niagara, Canada) – 200mL -$42.99
2003 Rolet Vin de Paille (Jura, France) – 375mL – $52.99
2005 Château Suduiraut (Bordeaux – Sauternes, France) – 375mL -$81.99
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.
Kopke 10 Year Old White Port (Douro, Portugal) – 375mL – $33.99
2003 Messias Colheita (Douro, Portugal) – $49.99
Taylor Fladgate NV Historic Limited Edition Reserve Tawny Port (Douro, Portugal) – $74.99
Quinta do Portal 40 Year Old Tawny Port (Douro, Portugal) – $134.99
1965 Krohn Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $309.99
1934 Niepoort Colheita (Douro, Portugal) – $1,499.99
Finally, if you are pressed for time, try out our December Mixed Case – $230.22 or our December Club 6-Pack – $163.34 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