Christmas Wine Guide

Here's a basic guide to which wines will be best suited to some popular Christmas foods. Of course, this isn’t definitive, but if you have trouble choosing, it may help to make up your mind.

WINES TO SERVE WITH TURKEY OR ROAST DUCK

Duck, Goose, Quail, Guinea Fowl and Turkey are all quite flavoursome and can cope with more powerfully flavoured wines than those chosen to complement chicken. A Pinot Noir, especially from Burgundy, will match the slight “gameyness” of these birds. The perfect wine with Roast Duck is a light-styled Pinot Noir where the raspberry/cherry fruit flavours of these wines complementing the duck's flavour. If the dish is to be accompanied by a fruit sauce such as orange or cherry, the wine should be chosen to complement the sauce.

With an Orange Sauce try a ripe Australian Chardonnay or better still an off-dry Vouvray. The slight sweetness will balance the fattiness of the duck. Cherry Sauce will match both Red and White wines. For White try a German Riesling Spätlese or if you prefer drier wines, then a Red Beaujolais Cru will have sufficiently low tannins so as not to clash with the duck.

Reds: Pinot Noir, Merlot, Syrah/Shiraz, Beaujolais Village
Examples: De Bortoli Windy Peak Pinot Noir or Château Côte de Baleau
Whites: Charonnay, Viognier, Semillon
Examples: Finca Munoz Family Reserve Chardonnay or Selection Andre Roux Viognier Roussanne.

WINES TO SERVE WITH HAM

Ham's relatively strong and salty flavours make it an iffy match for many table wines, but it can be done. Whether you want a red or white (or even a rosé), look for a wine that's fruity and tart.

An off-dry (gently sweet) wine, perhaps a Riesling or Chenin Blanc, makes a fine choice with ham. But if you want a red, perhaps consider a Beaujolais “Cru” or “Village” for example Chateau de la Chaize 2001 Brouilly.

WINES TO SERVE WITH GOOSE

Roast Goose is a real luxury that deserves a top quality Wine. Nothing does the trick quite like a Champagne such as Bollinger RD. Rich and deep with spice round the edges! If red wine is your tipple then try a good Burgundly or a mature Claret. However, a less expensive option would be a medium to full bodied Pintoge such as Longridge or Grangehurst from South Africa. Still in the New world, St Hallet Old Block Shiraz from Australia has ripe fruit and power to match up with the flavours of this bird. Back in Europe you can also try a Crozes Hermitage or a Chianti Classico with its lively tannins to cut through the fat.

Reds: Red Burgundy , Pinotage , Shiraz, Chianti Classico
Whites: Chardonnay, Marsanne , Sauvignon Blanc or Vintage Champagne.

WINES TO SERVE WITH CHRISTMAS PUDDING

Wines that work well with Christmas Pud need well defined flavours, medium sweetness and firm acidity. Alcohol levels don’t seem to matter too much, with the more successful wines falling between 13 and 19%.

Try Mas amiel vin doux natural made from Grenache from the Cote du Roussillojn region with its stone fruits and firm acidity, a perfect match indeed. Other wines to try: Australian Orange Muscat, Madeira – Malmsey 10, LBV Port, Bonnezau from the Loire, Tokaji Aszu 5 puttonyos from Hungary.

WINES TO SERVE WITH MINCE PIES

What to serve with the Mince Pies? Mulled Wine off course!!! Or a really nice glass of sherry.