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) – $21.49
NV Domaine Rosier Cuvee Ma Maison Cremant de Limoux (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) – $23.99
2021 Huber Sparkling Rosé (Traisental, Austria) – $25.99
2020 Pittnauer Pitt-Nat Sparkling Rose (Burgenland, Austria) – $39.99
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 Champagne Andre Clouet Grande Reserve Brut (Champagne, France) – $59.99
NV Champagne Philipponnat Royale Reserve (Champagne, France) – $78.99
2011 Champagne Gardet Charles Rose de Saignee Brut Premier Cru (Champagne, France) – $119.99
NV Egly-Ouriet Grand Cru Tradition Extra Brut (Champagne, France) – $181.99
2004 Bollinger R.D. Extra 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!
2020 Chai du Grand Vaudasniere Vouvray (Vouvray, France) – $24.99
2021 Wild Goose Autumn Gold (BC – Okanagan, Canada) – $25.99
2021 Illahe Vineyards Pinot Gris (Oregon – Willamette Valley, United States) – $34.99
2020 Hiedler Ried Thal Gruner Veltliner (Kamptal, Austria) – $44.99
2018 Joh. Jos. Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese (Mosel, Germany) – $63.99
2020 Les Vins de Vienne Condrieu (Condrieu, France) – $69.99
2018 Louis Jadot Meursault Premier Cru Les Genevrieres (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – $147.99
2021 Edoardo Miroglio Soli Rosé (Thracian Valley, Bulgaria) – $21.49
2021 Château de Trinquevedel Tavel (Rhone Valley, France) – $31.99
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.
2020 Andreas Bender Pinot Noir (Pfalz, Germany) – $25.99
2019 13th Street Gamay (Ontario – Niagara, Canada) – $26.99
2017 Johanneshof Reinisch St. Laurent (Thermenregion, Austria) – $29.99
2020 Bodegas Arzuaga Navarro La Planta Tempranillo (Ribera del Duero, Spain) – $30.99
2017 Travaglini Giancarlo Gattinara (Piedmont, Italy) – $42.99
2010 Lopez de Heredia Vina Bosconia Reserva (Rioja, Spain) – $56.99
2018 Tardieu-Laurent Crozes-Hermitage Vieilles Vignes (Rhone Valley, France) – $67.99
2017 Rocche Costamagna Barolo Rocche dell’Annunziata (Piedmont, Italy) – $79.99
2016 Neal Family Cabernet Sauvignon (California – Napa Valley, United States) – $94.99
2017 Ferraton Pere & Fils Cote Rotie Lieu Dit Montmain (Rhone Valley, France) – $109.99
2011 Château Teyssier Vieux Chateau Mazerat (Bordeaux – St. Emilion, France) – $139.99
2018 Gambal-Work Bentrock Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir (California – Central Coast, United States) – $157.99
2009 Le Carre (Bordeaux – St. Emilion, France) – $229.99
2001 Azelia Barolo Bricco Fiasco (Piedmont, Italy) – $289.99
2005 Château La Providence (Bordeaux – Pomerol, France) – $349.99
Dessert
As for dessert, remember dessert wine should be sweeter than the dessert itself.
2017 Domäne Wachau Beerenauslese Terrassen (Wachau, Austria) -375mL – $35.99
2019 Château Doisy-Daene (Bordeaux – Sauternes, France) – 375mL – $49.99
2019 Gehringer Brothers Signature Series Riesling Icewine (BC – Okanagan, Canada) – 375mL -$57.99
2011 Château Climens Premier Cru (Bordeaux – Barsac, France) – 375mL – $114.99
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.
2002 Quevedo Colheita (Douro, Portugal) – 375mL – $37.99
NV Taylor Fladgate Historic Limited Edition Reserve Tawny Port (Douro, Portugal) – $54.99
2018 Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $84.99
1983 Fonseca Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $269.99
1957 Kopke Colheita (Douro, Portugal) – $349.99
Finally, if you are pressed for time, try out our December Mixed Case – $245.24 or our December Club 6-Pack – $177.45 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!