The holiday season is here, which means it’s the time of year to gather with friends and family over a bounty of food and drink. Whatever you’re serving at your dinner party, there’s a wine that pairs well with it. Check out the following wine suggestions to find something that perfectly suits your tastes, whether you prefer white, red, or something in between.
White Wine
If you prefer the refreshing taste and drinkability of white wine, here are a few recommendations you and your guests are sure to love.
- Alamos Chardonnay – To please as many palates as possible, a medium-bodied Chardonnay is always a solid choice. This Argentinian white wine provides tropical fruit aromas. Expect a bright, crisp taste with notes of pear, vanilla, and lemon.
- Alois Lageder Pinot Grigio – Pinot Grigio is another well-rounded wine that can satisfy a wide range of tastes. If your menu includes seafood, Alois Lageder makes an excellent pairing. This light, balanced wine from Italy provides a fruity nose along with notes of pear, guava, and banana.
- Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc – Sauvignon Blanc is a fantastic food wine because its high acidity cuts through the flavor of fatty meats and cheeses. Hailing from New Zealand, Oyster Bay is a light, dry wine delivering fruit-forward flavors such as citrus and peach. Pair this Sauvignon Blanc with chicken, seafood, or soft cheese.
Red Wine
Is your menu on the heavier side? If so, red wine is the way to go. Here are some options to serve at your dinner party.
- Hahn Winery Pinot Noir – When it comes to red wines, Pinot Noir is one of the most versatile. Thanks to its bright acidity and medium body, Pinot Noir pairs well with a variety of holiday dishes. Consider getting a bottle of Hahn Winery Pinot Noir from California. This medium-bodied wine offers a silky-smooth finish, spicy aromas, and flavors of blackberry and pomegranate.
- Joel Gott 815 Cabernet Sauvignon – If you’re serving fatty red meats or heavy pasta at your holiday party, a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon like the Joel Gott 815 is what you want. This bold red wine boasts high tannins, which act as a palate cleanser for the fatty foods. Expect blackberry, mocha, and vanilla flavors and aromas.
- Santa Margherita Chianti Classico Riserva – Just like Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon, Chianti offers high levels of acidity and tannins. Santa Margherita is a fantastic Chianti to pair with Italian cuisine, as well as dishes with olive oil and rich cuts of meat. Enjoy its fresh, earthy finish and notes of sweet spices, cherries, and plums.
Other Options
White and red wine don’t have to be your only choices. Here are some other alternatives you can serve to your guests.
- Mionetto Prosecco Brut – If you’re looking for some bubbly to either start or cap off your dinner, this dry Prosecco from Italy is a great option. It offers refreshing flavors of apricot, apple, lemon, and nuts, making it a perfect complement to appetizers or fruity desserts.
- Francis Coppola Sofia Rosé – Not a fan of sparkling wine? A dry Rosé like Francis Coppola Sofia is a suitable alternative that works well with a variety of foods. This delicate, crisp Rosé offers an aroma of strawberries and rose petals, as well as cherry and raspberry flavors.
- Fonseca Bin #27 Porto – It’s not a holiday dinner party unless you have sweet, festive goodies like gingerbread cookies, rum balls, or sticky toffee pudding on the menu. And what better way to rev up your sweet tooth than a dessert wine such as Fonseca Bin #27 Porto. This port provides a smooth velvety texture with strong notes of blackberry, cherry, plum, and cassis.
Looking for other ideas? Check out our Wine 101 page for more food pairing recommendations.
