Christmas Classics

Our Christmas Classics are a carefully selected range of recommended wines, sparklers and spirits, perfectly suited to see you through every stage of your festive menu. In addition to the traditional wines one would expect to serve friends and family on Christmas Day, we have also included some super examples from across the world that are perfect partners to the traditional Christmas fayre.

We have put a list together as follows of the most popular festive dishes and the wine grape-varieties that tend to match best alongside.

STARTERS

• SMOKED SALMON: Whilst Champagne would be a decadent choice we think it is best matched with Sauvignon Blanc
• OYSTERS: Without doubt a good Chablis will pair perfectly with Oysters; however, great value can be had choosing either a Picpoul de Pinet or even a Muscadet de Serve et Maine.
• DUCK(or Chicken) LIVER PARFAIT: This dish can take a touch of sweetness in the wine, so you could opt for a Sauternes or similar sweet Bordeaux, but a safer bet would be a really good Alsatian Pinot Gris.
• SEAFOOD COCKTAIL: A classic Xmas dish is best paired alongside an off-dry Riesling from New Zealand or a Kabinett from the Mosel in Germany.

MAIN COURSE DISHES

• ROAST TURKEY: The classic Xmas roast matches up with many red wines including Rioja; however, we believe that red wines from the Rhône Valley are worthy of consideration and a good Châteauneuf-du-Pape is hard to beat.
• CHRISTMAS HAM: Bright, fruity reds such as a good Cru Beaujolais match up to the sweet honey glaze perfectly.
• GOOSE: If you’re opting for Goose then Italian Barolo or good Chianti goes well for red wine, but also Gewürztraminer or a Spätlese Riesling matches up nicely for a white wine.
• DUCK: Without question the perfect red match up with duck is Pinot Noir. Burgundy in France is the grapes heartland, but better value is to be had from New Zealand, South Africa and The Americas.
• ROAST BEEF: Any medium to full-bodied red wine you enjoy goes well with Beef, but if you want to push the boat out at Xmas a smart Cabernet Sauvignon dominated blend from the Médoc in Bordeaux is the way forward.
• ROAST PORK: Red Côtes du Rhône from France is popular, but if you prefer white and you’re serving the joint with apple sauce (who doesn’t!) then a good German or Alsace Riesling matches nicely.
• BAKED SALMON: Any white burgundy would suffice as Salmon and Chardonnay is always a winner

DESSERT

• CHRISTMAS PUDDING: Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise is a safe bet with the Xmas Pud and is relatively great value.
• CHRISTMAS CAKE: There is no better match up to the traditional Xmas cake (served with a bit of cheese) than tawny port. Oloroso sherry is a good option too.
• MINCE PIES: A Cream or Oloroso Sherry, Madeira or Port if you have any to hand.
• CHOCOLATE YULE LOG: Orange or Black Muscat, Banyuls or any other sweet red wine is the best bet with chocolate dessert.
• STOLLEN: An Auslese or other sweet style of German Riesling would be a good match.
• TRIFLE: This depends on how boozy the trifle is, but a safe bet is the Moscato d’Asti from Italy.
• STILTON: Vintage Port is the preferred option, but getting mature vintage port can be quite expensive. Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) port offers great value and 10 Year Old Tawny ports are very good too and with Tawny Port there is no need to decant!