Which wine goes best with Christmas Dinner? The easy answer is to drink the wine you love! But if you want a specific answer, try the driest style of French Champagne: Brut. Its bracing acidity and delicious fruit will put your digestive system in the mood to celebrate the Christmas feast! Enjoy the bubbly as an aperitif when your guests arrive.
It goes well with a variety of appetizers, including smoked salmon and oysters, even potato chips. And it would be delicious with seafood cocktail as well as white turkey.
Because Champagne is usually made with some Pinot Noir, it has enough body to pair with baked ham and the turkey's dark meat. Louis Roederer Brut Premier ($63.49) and Moet & Chandon Imperial ($65.49) are delicious choices.
For those of us without a Champagne budget? Select a Spanish Cava, made in the traditional method of Champagne, but it has Spanish grape varieties rather than the French ones. Expect a leaner version of the classic Champagne. Cristalino Brut ($11.99) is for those on a frugal budget. If you want something with more character, I recommend Segura Viudas Brut Reserva ($14.99).
Whites As a wine to welcome your guests and family, uncork Dr. Loosen Riesling ($18.95) from Germany. It's a delicious white with an elegant apple character, off-dry and a perennial favourite of mine. Enjoy with a prawn and crab cocktail or with ham and raisin sauce.
For those who crave bolder flavours, I suggest a Sauvignon Blanc like The Ned ($15.99) or Kim Crawford ($17.99), both from New Zealand. Ideal with any seafood you are serving.
If you love a buttery oaky wine, Sebastiani Chardonnay ($19.95) from California is delicious and robust enough to pair with anything covered in gravy.
This will make you sing Joy to the World. B.C.'s Joie Farm Rose ($20.95) brings fresh strawberry flavours and a hint of spice that marries so well with baked ham and turkey with cranberries.
Red, Red, Wine From Chile comes the Cono Sur Vision Pinot Noir ($19.99). This is a single vineyard wine meaning it has premium fruit and it's probably the best Pinot Noir for the money. Rich and velvety with cranberry and cherry tastes. Yum! Another good choice is the 2006 Montesario de Las Vinas ($14.95). This Spanish blend of three grapes is smooth with red and black fruit and a hint of spice and terroir. Both reds are ideal for the fuller flavours on your Christmas plate.
Wine & Cheese Why not save some of the wines you had throughout the dinner to savour with the cheese course. White wines are often just as tasty with cheese as red wines. If you're serving a blue cheese, such as English Stilton or French Roquefort, try the KWV Paarl Cape Tawny ($12.99), a fortified wine from South Africa. Here's a perfect match with its sweet crème brulee flavour contrasting the sharp and tangy cheese.
Bon Appétit and Merry Christmas! Eric Hanson is a life-long Richmond resident, a retired teacher and wine educator.
