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 Tordera Saome Prosecco DOC Brut (Veneto, Italy) – $24.49
NV Domaine Rosier Cuvee Ma Maison Cremant de Limoux (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) – $25.99
NV Corte Manzini Fior di Lambrusco Rosé (Emilia-Romagna, Italy) – $28.49
2020 Andreas Bender Rosé Brut Sekt (Mosel, Germany) – $34.99
Champagne
Now if you serve Champagne, your audience will immediately know you’re here to do some serious partaking and celebrating.
NV Champagne Monmarthe Secret de Famille Brut (Champagne, France) – $62.99
2014 Champagne Andreas Bartel Millesime Brut (Champagne, France) – $78.99
NV Henri Billiot et Fils Rosé (Champagne, France) – $81.99
NV Champagne La Rogerie La Grande Vie Grand Cru (Champagne, France) – $114.99
NV Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Brut (Champagne, France) – $159.99
2017 Champagne Agrapart Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Mineral (Champagne, France) – $234.99
2015 Louis Roederer Cristal Brut (Champagne, France) – $499.99
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!
2022 Bodegas Neleman Nucli White (Valencia, Spain) – $19.99
2022 Winery of Good Hope Unoaked Chardonnay (Stellenbosch, South Africa)) – $22.99
2023 Wild Goose Gewurztraminer (BC – Okanagan, Canada) – $26.99
2018 Erbes Urzinger Wurzgarten Riesling Spatlese (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany) – $26.99
2022 Langlois-Chateau Chateau de Fontaine-Audon Sancerre (Loire Valley, France) – $43.99
2018 Domaine Ghislain Kohut Marsanny Blanc En Mormain (Burgundy – Cote de Nuits, France) – $43.99
2021 Domaine Weinbach Les Vignes du Precheur (Alsace, France) – $52.99
2021 Huber Ried Berg Riesling Erste Lage (Traisental, Austria) – $68.99
2021 Fundacao Eugenio de Almeida Cartuxa Pera-Mancha Branco (Alentejo, Portugal) – $99.99
2020 Louis Jadot Puligny-Montrachet (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – $129.99
2017 Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Spatlese (Mosel, Germany) – $519.99
2023 Maison Lorgeril L’Orangeraie Rosé (Pays d’Oc, France) – $21.99
2021 Feudo Montoni Rose di Adele Nerello Mascalese (Sicily, Italy) – $39.99
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.
2021 Spier Signature Collection Pinotage (Stellenbosch, South Africa) – $17.99
2022 Domaine de Bachellery Pinot Noir (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) – $24.49
2022 G. D. Vajra Langhe Rosso (Piedmont, Italy) – $25.99
2016 Château Labadie Cru Bourgeois (Bordeaux – Medoc, France) – $29.99
2021 Malivoire Small Lot Gamay (Ontario – Niagara, Canada) – $30.49
2022 Maison Albert Brenot Bourgogne Rouge (Burgundy, France) – $37.99
2022 Cordero de Montezemolo Langhe Nebbiolo (Piedmont, Italy) – $40.99
2019 Contino Reserva (Rioja, Spain) – $55.99
2021 Tua Rita Perlato del Bosco Rosso (Tuscany, Italy) – $59.99
2021 Filipa Pato & William Wouters Nossa Calcário Baga Vinhas Velhas (Bairrada, Portugal) – $72.99
2020 Cotarella Montiano Merlot (Lazio, Italy) – $84.99
2016 Cotarella Le Macioche Brunello di Montalcino (Tuscany, Italy) – $104.99
2020 Montes Purple Angel (Colchagua Valley, Chile) – $109.99
2013 Tommasi Amarone Riserva Ca’Florian (Veneto, Italy) – $139.99
2020 Vega Sicilia Alion (Ribera del Duero, Spain) – $181.99
2018 Ramey Annum Cabernet Sauvignon (California – Napa Valley, United States) – $209.99
2005 Giuseppe Mascarello Barolo Monprivato Castiglione Falletto (Piedmont, Italy) – $299.99
2009 Le Dome (Bordeaux – St. Emilion, France) – $499.99
Dessert
As for dessert, remember dessert wine should be sweeter than the dessert itself.
2018 Domaine Huet Le Mont Moelleux (Vouvray, France) – $62.99
2017 Mission Hill Reserve Riesling Icewine (BC – Okanagan, Canada) – 375mL – $71.99
1982 Thunevin-Calvet Maury Vin Doux Naturel (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) -$87.99
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.
Ramos Pinto 10 Year Old Tawny Quinta de Ervamoira (Douro, Portugal) – $56.99
2015 Taylor Fladgate Quinta de Vargellas Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $84.99
2011 Quinta do Vesuvio Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $219.99
Taylor Fladgate Golden Age Tawny Port 50 Year Old (Douro, Portugal) – $349.99
1994 Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $499.99
Finally, if you are pressed for time, try out our December Mixed Case – $236.70 or our December 6-Pack – $161.10 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.
All prices listed above is pre GST Holiday. Everyone, enjoy the holiday season. Best wishes for good health and happiness to everyone!