Wines for Christmas

Christmas Wine

There are several classic dishes served at Christmas including:

• Ham
• Turkey
• Roast Beef
• Winter Vegetables and roasted sides including gratin and casserole

Since Christmas has several traditional variations, make your wine match the main protein dish.

Selected Christmas Wines

Wine with Roast Beef

• Carmenere A medium-bodied Chilean wine with herbaceous qualities similar in style to Cabernet Franc
• Nero d’Avola A full-bodied Sicilian wine that is often compared to Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.
• Cabernet Franc An herbaceous medium-bodied red wine probably more famous for the regions that produce it such as Chinon in Loire Valley, France.
• Aglianico A high tannin bold red wine from Southern Italy that’s very savory and herbaceous.
• Tempranillo Look for ‘Reserva’ Tempranillo from Rioja or check out the awesome Spanish wine value region called Ribera del Duero
• Sangiovese Sangiovese is known by many regional names, keep your eyes peeled for Montalcino Rosso, Vino Nobile de Montepuliciano and, of course, the opulent and tannic Brunello di Montalcino. Learn to read an Italian wine list/label
• Merlot Blends An outstanding alternative to Cabernet Sauvignon (and usually quite a few bucks cheaper) is Merlot. This a great opportunity to seek out a 7+ year old Bordeaux Superieur
• Cabernet Sauvignon Blends For value, look into the 2010 vintage in Argentina and Chile for some excellent Cabernet-based blends with either Carmenere (in Chile) or Malbec (in Argentina)

Wine with Ham

• Rosé Wine The classic region for great dry rosé is Provence. Learn more about Provence wines (including the famed Bandol).
• Grenache or Garnacha Grenache has the fruitiness to stand up to inherently sweet ham. Many American producers are making outstanding Grenache in Paso Robles
• Côtes du Rhône Blends This wine is actually a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. Seek out the 2010 vintage.

From Wine Folly.