The holidays are here and it’s time for the season of a million parties! Everyone you know all dressed up in their sparkly best, getting together to celebrate this joyous time of year with delicious treats and eats, what could be better?
It can be overwhelming to choose the right wine to bring to your Christmas party or family dinner, but we’re here to help out.
There are so many tasty things to nibble on so bring a wine that will pair with either a staple or is just a general crowd-pleaser. For your grandma’s famous roast, go for a Willamette Pinot Noir. The rich fruit flavors and delicate aromatics are a great pair for that delicious hunk of meat you look forward to every year. Plus you’ll be able to brag that you know all about that super famous region of Willamette, Oregon. If your people like something a bit bolder, try a Chianti. The spices and flavors in this full red are alongside those typically found in your Christmas meal, so it’ll pair nicely, and you’ll be the star of your friend’s holiday party.
If your family is more of a ham eating crowd, go in the opposite direction. You want something crisp and maybe with a touch of sweetness like a Viognier or if you want a red, a Zinfandel is ideal. The key is to accentuate that gooey brown sugar outside of the honey baked ham without going overboard.
It can be hard to try and pair with just one dish so how about something that goes with everything? Perhaps a Chilean unoaked Chardonnay? Or maybe a sparkling Vouvray to toast the evening. It is always nice to have your wine remembered as the first sip of the night rather than the glass of something that went with the meat.
Now, of course, the holidays are all about the sweets, right? So how about a dessert wine? You could go for sophisticated with a late harvest Finger Lakes Riesling and show off your New York pride, or you could really go for it with an ice-cold Gewurztraminer. Either way, you’re in for a delicious treat on top of all that savory goodness from dinner.
No matter what you’re drinking, we hope you have a wonderful holiday season with all of your loved ones!
