Brilliant wine pairings for Christmas dinner – and the best bottles to buy
Upgrade your hosting game with these sommelier-approved wine pairings for your festive feast
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Hosting the big day this year? There are a number of ways to impress guests – an Instagrammable Christmas tablescape, gorgeous festive decorations, and, of course, a delectable turkey dinner – but one surefire way to cement your host-with-the-most reputation is with wine pairings even the most discerning drinker can’t sniff at. Ditch your everyday sauvignon blanc and bubbles for swish serves that prove you have thought about every, single, little detail. Not sure where to start? We’ve asked the experts to offer up their sommelier-approved wine pairings for Christmas dinner.
Wine pairings for Christmas canapés
For many, the most anticipated meal of the year begins with smoked salmon blinis (and if yours doesn’t, take note). Offering a light and fresh amuse-bouche, Maggie MacPherson, group buyer at wine merchant Jeroboams, says: “For Christmas canapés – especially salmon blinis – it has to be champagne. In my house that means Pol Roger Brut Réserve, and it’s Christmas, so let’s not be silly: get a magnum.”
Those looking to push the boat out this year may opt for a selection of decadent oysters or rich foie gras – and Kathrine Larsen-Robert, master sommelier and head of wine for Europe at 67 Pall Mall, has just the ticket. “If selecting one wine to suit all canapés, a Blanc de Blancs champagne is the most versatile option thanks to its citrus-driven acidity and finesse, while a high-quality dry German riesling or a crisp Loire white can also pair comfortably across the full range.
“For smoked salmon, choose a fresh, vibrant white such as a young chardonnay from Burgundy or one of the cooler parts of Australia or California. Foie gras pairs beautifully with a wine that balances richness with gentle sweetness, making a German riesling with a touch of residual sugar, like a Mosel Spätlese, an elegant match. Oysters shine with mineral-driven wines, especially Blanc de Blancs champagne, though crisp sancerre, pouilly-fumé or a racy Burgundian aligoté also work well.”
Wine pairings for turkey
Traditionalists will often opt for a glass of red with turkey and all the trimmings, but MacPherson looks to chardonnay for a lighter alternative to complement the bird’s buttery flavours. “With turkey and all the trimmings (hello, salty pigs-in-blanket deliciousness), I lean into my chardonnay obsession,” she says. “A classic, buttery Californian style is perfect, and Marine Layer’s 2023 Aries Chardonnay is my current go-to.
“If I’m pouring red, grenache – pinot’s less-famous cousin – is a total festive hero. I've recently opened Mounir Saouma’s 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Omnia and it's guaranteed to make you rethink everything you thought you knew about the appellation – fresh strawberries, lifted herbs, an absolute banger.”
For Larsen-Robert, the key is finding a rich red that doesn’t outshine the turkey. She explains: “For a classic Christmas turkey, choose a medium to light-bodied red that won’t overpower the delicate meat but provides enough juicy red fruit to complement its slight dryness and traditional trimmings. Pinot noir from New Zealand or Sonoma is ideal for its freshness and silky texture, while a refined red burgundy, such as Chambolle-Musigny, is another excellent option.”
Wine pairings for Christmas pudding
Port is the top choice for both of our wine experts to conclude Christmas dinner on a sweet note. “Christmas pudding calls for a wine with richness, warmth and sweetness, making a mature Tawny Port, with its nutty, caramel and dried-fruit notes, a classic match,” says Larsen-Robert. “While a sweet Madeira, such as Bual or Malmsey, offers a slightly lighter yet beautifully balanced alternative with vibrant acidity.”
“While Christmas cake and pudding aren’t my bag,” adds MacPherson, “Christmas isn’t Christmas without Port: Kopke 20-year-old Tawny, every time.”
Read more: The best whisky, vodka, rum and gin to shop this Christmas
