It’s the most wonderful time of the year, so the song goes, except when you’re trying to figure out which wines to choose for holiday festivities. Then anxiety can creep in. No need to worry. We’ve got you covered!
Here’s our no-decision-anxiety guide to all of your December imbibing.
The Thanksgiving Guidelines Still Count
If your Christmas dinner is a delicious repeat of Thanksgiving dinner, check out our Thanksgiving pairing suggestions of Riesling, Rosé, and more. However, not everyone does Thanksgiving Part 2 at Christmas, and December 25 is not everyone’s big holiday.
Your Decorating Party’s Signature Wine Cocktail
When hosting a decorating party, it’s considerate to have a signature cocktail—along with a few bottles of wine—so people don’t mind doing the work of decorating your home or your tree. This wine cocktail has the holidays written all over it.
Tomasello Winery has a series of wine-based creams that are great over ice or as an ingredient in a cocktail. The Chocolate Fudge Cream mixed with peppermint schnapps creates the simple 2-ingredient Chocolate Mint Delight. Serve it in a martini glass rimmed with chocolate syrup and crushed peppermint.
Hanukkah Pairings
If keeping kosher isn’t a requirement, New Jersey wineries produce plenty of bottles that will pair with traditional Hanukkah dishes. Try a fruity, earthy Merlot from Cape May Vineyards or Laurita Winery with brisket. For the side of noodle kugel, Riesling from Hawk Haven or Old York Cellars will pair nicely. And yes, you can have both the red and the white on the table and let people choose whichever wine they want.
Christmas Dinner Pairings
Serving prime rib? The classic pairing is a Cabernet Sauvignon like Amalthea Cellars’ Clone II and Autumn Lake Winery’s Traveler Series Cab or a Bordeaux style blend like Jessie Creek’s Stratus. Auburn Road Winery’s Coeur d’Est Blend, Eidolon, will work really well, too. But don’t think you have to go with red wine. Terra Nonna Winery’s Oaked Chardonnay or Briganti by the Bay’s Natali Chardonnay will please the white wine lovers.
If you celebrate Christmas Eve with the Feast of the Seven Fishes, Blue Cork Winery’s Sauvignon Blanc or Rosé of Cabernet Franc are both seafood friendly. And for a hearty Christmas dinner lasagna, go for a medium-bodied red wine like Working Dog Winery’s Sangiovese or Plagido Winery’s Chambourcin.
Kwanzaa Feast Pairings
Kwanzaa menus can vary greatly depending on the cultural background of those making the menu, but mac and cheese is a common dish among many who celebrate. The Rieslings recommended above for noodle kugel would also work with mac and cheese. So would a fruity Pinot Noir from Alba Vineyard. Serving jollof rice? Try White Horse Winery’s Syrah.
Bubbles Go With Everything
If so many options feel overwhelming, you can always just go with bubbles. Dry sparkling wine is incredibly food friendly and will go with most holiday menus. William Heritage’s Blanc de Noirs (think Champagne) and Hopewell Valley Vineyards Spumante Secco (think Prosecco) are welcome on any holiday table with any holiday meal. And popping the cork on any of our New Jersey sparkling wines would be the best way to usher in the New Year!
Dessert Wines
Both Unionville Vineyards and Bellview Winery make a port-style wine that goes with a dessert cheese plate. For the sweet desserts, try After the Frost dessert wine from Cream Ridge Winery or Blueberry Wine (especially with cheesecake) from DiMatteo Vineyards.
Remember, these are just suggestions. As long as the wine and food don’t fight each other (you might not want a super sweet wine with your Prime Rib or a super dry wine with the cookies on the tray), you’re sure to enjoy your wine, your food, and of course, the people you share it all with.
