Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…fa, la, la. Santa, Kris Kringle, Sinterklaas, whatever you call the chubby, jolly man from the North Pole, there’s no denying it’s the Holidays! What will you be serving for Christmas dinner? Turkey? Let’s hope not, we had that for Thanksgiving. Duck? Christmas goose? How Tiny Tim & Scrooge of you. Brisket or ham are traditional holiday meats. Whatever your holiday traditions are, there is a great wine to pair with your meal.
Ham on the menu? Since ham tends to be salty tasting, how about a great Pinot Noir, Claret, Cabernet Sauvignon, Beaujolais, or even a nice Riesling or Gewurztraminer. Fill my cup!
Turkey on the menu? How original! Thanksgiving called and it wants its meat back. But if you insist, try a White Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc or Gewurztraminer. Pinot or Merlot are reds that would work too.
Duck or goose on the holiday table…good for you. Nothing says Christmas duck or goose better than Champagne or sparkling wine. Get out of your box and try those Blanc de Blanc or Blanc de Noir Champagnes. A sparkling wine, or heck, it’s Christmas, how about an authentic Champagne that will compliment any holiday table. You could drink other wines but it’s Christmas and really, a greasy duck with crisp, cold Champagne is fantastic!
Remember, you tend to get what you pay for in a wine. That means you can find a perfectly great bottle of wine/sparkling wine for $25 to $45. A good Champagne will costs you more, around $60 to $90. True Champagne costs more to make so keep that in mind when spending that extra cash, and their reputations are worth the extra cost. Wines and Champagnes over $100.00 are usually reserved for special occasions or the true connoisseur.
What about your after dinner drink with your candy cane or holiday chocolates? Don’t forget a good Port or Sherry. They pair well with chocolate, cheeses, or just sip it without any food accompaniment. Happy Holidays.