Four Easy Wine Pairings for the Holidays
I always picture the holidays to be a real life version of a Norman Rockwell painting. The families are gathered around the formally set table, candles are lit and the holiday feast is ready to be served! One of the holiday joys for me is enjoying a merry conversation over a good glass of wine. Choosing which wines to serve (or bring!) to the holiday dinner table is half of the fun!
Some popular holiday food + wine pairings ...
Chardonnay + Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
Grenache or Rose + Christmas Ham
Tempranillo + Roast Beef
Pinot Noir + Turkey
This year, I enlisted the help of my friend, Julie, to help me pick the perfect holiday wine pairing. As a wine concierge for Scout & Cellar, Julie has great recommendations for festive libation. I ended up ordering a holiday set, which is complete with a bubbly, white and two reds. A little something for everyone! Julie was gracious enough to share her pairing notes with us.
julie’s holiday wine pairing notes
2020 Gallivant Bubbly White:
Pairs well with seafood salads, fried calamari, and toasting to a wonderful year.
This would be a perfect pairing with your holiday mac and cheese or just as a “hey let’s get together and celebrate”.
You’ll want to chill this wine for at least 3 hours prior to drinking (and let’s be honest, if you don’t have that kind of time or forget the day of, pop it into the freezer for 30 minutes).
2020 Fieldhouse 301 Chardonnay
Pairs well with roasted chicken, shellfish, and buttery, movie-style popcorn.
For the holidays, I’m put it with something like your mashed potatoes and gravy. I tend to put my whites in the fridge (if you don’t have a temperature-controlled wine fridge) and take it out about 20 minutes before you’re ready to serve.
2020 The Resident Red Wine
Pairs well with spicy Asian cuisine, barbecue, and late nights around the fire with friends.
I know some have a tradition of ordering Chinese food for Christmas Eve, this would be perfect for that. Think of your bolder menu foods and this goes well with those. Or just for a good evening with friends, it’s an easy to drink wine.
I like to chill my reds personally – pop it into the fridge for a solid 20-30 minutes before opening (and aerate it or use a wine decanter).
2020 Dove Hunt Dog Cabernet Sauvignon
Pairs well with burgers, steak night, and holiday hang-outs.
Perfectly said above – easy to drink for a cabernet. It’ll be the boldest out of this set.
These are four easy wine pairings for the holidays that will be sure to impress. And, I can’t wait to share them with friends and family (around a turkey-fueled feast, of course).
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Eat, drink and be merry!
