How to pair wine for Christmas day

What are the best tips to pair wine for Christmas day? Whether you’re serving turkey, roast ham, goose, or going with something completely different, read on for the perfect wine for Christmas pairings.

Canapés and Aperitifs

The pop of a cork from a bottle of fizz will let everyone know that the party has started. Christmas might be the only time that's it acceptable to drink Champagne for breakfast, lunch and dinner, though free-thinkers opt instead for Crémant, a great alternative to Champagne which is made using the same method and often the same grapes. 

Famille Gueguen Crémant de Bourgogne Blanc de Noirs is an elegant fizz made from Pinot Noir. It's alluring acidity will cut through the fattiness of smoked salmon blinis or compliment a creamy baked brie. 

When only Champagne will do, Champagne Gérin et Fils Reserve is an award winning sparkler with crisp, fresh apple and rich tarte tatin notes.

Discover our range of sparkling wines and Champagne.

Starters

If you're starting with a rich liver pâté a fruity red with a little acidity will balance out the richness. Domaine bel Avenir Julienas "Les Capitans" is a match made in heaven. 

For a terrine, whether chicken, pork or vegetable, a Provençal rosé is a good pairing. Louis Alix "Les Calanques Bleues" Rosé offers superb value.

Serving a goats' cheese tart? Sauvignon Blanc is orignally from France's Loire Valley and makes a pretty partner. The most famous appelations in the Loire are Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé. Domaine Octavie Sauvignon de Touraine comes from the lesser known village of Touraine and is a great value alternative.

Fish & Seafood

Are fresh oysters a must on Christmas Day? If being decadent is the aim, then only Champagne will do. 

AR Lenoble Brut Intense NV is from one of the few remaining family owned Champagne houses. An English sparkling wine is a patriotic alternative, Henners Brut NV has the elegance to make this pairing sing. 

Those looking to dial down the extravagance could pair their oysters with Picpoul de Pinet. Florensac Picpoul de Pinet "Soleil" has zingy citrus and a lick of sea salt; classic and delicious.

If you're serving prawn cocktail, the gentle sweetness of prawns combines perfectly with a medium-dry wine like Vouvray. Made from Chenin Blanc, Vouvray Deniché, has the balance of acidity and sweetness to carry this pairing off.

Turkey et al

The main event has a lot going on. The bird, of course, various stuffings, sauces, jellies, vegetables, potatoes, and pigs in blankets. Finding one wine to match everything seems difficult, nigh on impossible, but let me help.

When it comes to wine for Christmas, Pinot Noir is a good choice as its light profile make it a good pair with many flavours, Louis Père et Fils Mercurey "L'Or Rouge" 2019 is classic Burgundy. 

Cru Beaujolais is possibly an even better proposition, made using Gamay it shares similarities with Pinot Noir - especially as it ages. Clos du Vieux Bourg "Javernières" Morgon 2020 is an excellent example which would pair well with turkey, goose or duck.

If you want more depth, how about aged Bordeaux? Cru Borgeois is excellent value when compared to the prices of classed growth Claret. Château Carcanieux Crus Bourgeois 2015 will gladden the heart of any budding connoisseur.

When looking for a white wine for Christmas lunch, the perfect match is a ripe, lightly oaked Chardonnay. Burgundy is the obvious place to look, Florent Rouve Saint Véran En Crêches 2020 has everything I want from white Burgundy.

Those seeking a solid value alternative need look no further than Famille Descombe Pierre Doreés Beaujolais Blanc 2022 - made from 100% Chardonnay this has the perfect blend of fruit, texture, and a little creaminess thanks to vinification in concrete eggs.

Roast Beef

Beef rather than turkey? A bold red is an easy partner. 

Anything from the Peter Falke range will work, PF Ruby 2017 is my personal favourite, these Stellenbosch wines are serious wines for serious food. 

The south of France has plenty of options whose tannins will soften thanks to the interplay of meat and wine. Cardinal de Bonzi 2020 from the Abbaye de Valmagne is a decadent, organic wine from Gres de Montpellier which fits the bill.

Desserts & Puddings

Christmas lunch, to my mind, is not complete without a flaming, fruit packed, boozy pudding. Borges Tawny Reserva Port NV has the depth and sweetness to seize the day.

If Yule Log is more your thing, pair it with Cline Cellars Late Harvest Mourvèdre 2017. Luxuriously sweet and divinely tempting you'll be reaching for another glass.

Cheese

Many people will round off the Christmas feast with a vintage Port. This big, fortified, wine is an unrivalled partner to strong, salty, creamy, blue cheeses like Stilton, Roquefort or Gorgonzola. Krohn Vintage Port 2003 is drinking well now.

Pungent soft cheeses, think Brie or Camembert, will pair well with an aromatic Viognier. Try Le Versant Viognier 2021 from the south of France. 

Real Cheddar, the stuff from Somerset, needs an equally robust red to match. Syrah (or Syrah based blends) have the oomph to work. Smalltown Vineyards "Knock Knock" Shiraz from Australia's Barossa Valley is a great choice.

Semi-hard cheeses like Cornish Yarg or Emmental need a wine with acidity. English wines are often defined by their strident acidity, Sharpham Estate Selection will provide a nice counterpoint to the inherent fattiness of the cheese.

Whatever you want from your food and wine for Christmas, remember the most important thing is to enjoy the festivities.

Merry Christmas!