December 18, 2017
With so much activity going on in the house, so many people to entertain, and so many timers and buzzers and pots to watch, the last thing a host wants to distract themselves with is the wine they serve with Christmas dinner. Luckily, with the help of our sommeliers, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to the perfect wine pairings for your big holiday dinner.
The Word on White
While dry wines don’t pair well with lean meats, you still want a wine that goes well with mashed potatoes and salty, savoury sides. Riesling is a great choice, but may not go over well with a large group. Choose something with good viscosity, nice flavour concentration, and bright fruit notes. Stay away from anything with high acidity.
Good choices include Riesling (for smaller groups), pinot gris (not grigio), and buttery Chardonnays. Regionally, you want to look for wines from the Okanagan and Alsace Lorraine, such as Wolfberger from the latter. It compares to apple sauce on your dinner, acting as a dry compliment with just the right amount of sweetness.
Don’t Count Out Red
That isn’t to say that a nice red should be completely ruled out. Reds can be tough with turkey, as the characteristic tannins of many varieties have a tendency to dry the mouth. Choose a red low in tannins and acidity, like California Zinfandel. These ‘jammy’ wines are naturally sweet, making the turkey feel much juicier instead of drying it out. Think of them as cranberry sauce, in liquid form. Spanish Monastrell wines are also nice, since they drink like a zinfandel.
Still need help? Don’t hesitate to ask one of our sommeliers, whether online or in-store. Just tell us what you’re cooking, and we’ll do the rest!
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