As we approach the most heartfelt festivals of the year we have an opportunity to spend peaceful days in the company of our family, or to see friends and spend carefree hours together. But, above all this is also the moment of traditional “binges”.
The following wine pairings guide will provide some advice to choose the right wine combined with Festive menus, for the satisfaction of the palates of all present and enhance the flavors of the dishes.
Wine Pairings #1: To Start, A Toast with Bubbles
Our Christmas dinner unfailingly must start with a toast that brings together all the guests. While French Champagne is the most well-known sparkling wine, you can enjoy many delicious sparkling wines from all around the world. Other fantastic options include Prosecco and Franciacorta, two Italian bubbly alternatives.
- Recommended Wine Pairings: Champagne, Prosecco, Franciacorta
Wine Pairings #2: Fig, Goat Cheese and Arugula Salad with Candied Pecans
Rosé wines posses the full flavor palate of a red wine, but still have the characteristics of a white wine, making them the perfect pair with leaner dishes, just as this salad.
- Recommended Wine Pairings: Rosé
Wine Pairings #3: Butternut Squash Soup with Curry and Ginger
The combination of the thick and creamy soup with the bold spices makes it a primary candidate for a full-bodied, rich, spicy, aromatic, white wine.
A high acid crisp wine like Riesling or Pinot Grigio works well to cut through the richness of the soup and cleanse and refresh the palate. The aromatic fruit notes from the wine will balance out the spice of the soup.
- Recommended Wine Pairings: Riesling, Pinot Grigio
Wine Pairings #4: Mixed Roasted Vegetables
When vegetables are roasted, they lose their plant-like flavors, becoming sweet and almost decadent. For Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Broccoli, these cruciferous vegetables have a slightly green flavor, so pairing them can be tricky. White Bordeaux and lightly oaked Chardonnay from the Macon region of Burgundy are great picks.
- Recommended Wine Pairings: White Bordeaux, Chardonnay
Wine Pairings #5: Baked, Smoked or Honeyed Ham
Hams beg for wines with a dash of sweet. A Riesling with a touch of residual sugar, made lighter in style and a bit lower in alcohol, will hop on the ham pairing wagon with plenty of food-friendly acidity and crowd-pleasing palate appeal.
Red wines that can accommodate ham happenings tend to be lighter in body and overall style. Pinot Noir and Spain’s Tempranillo grape often exhibit subtle tannins with an easier going pairing profile.
- Red Wine Pairings: Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Tempranillo
- White Wine Pairings: Riesling and Gewürztraminer
Wine Pairings #6: Herb-Roasted Turkey
Turkey on its own presents a fairly straightforward pairing partner, but who really eats turkey solo? Herb-filled stuffing, roasted veggies, rich sauces, and an assortment of savory sides manage to make their way alongside the bird.
It’s these sides and sauces that must be taken into account when working out the best wine pairings. Sauvignon Blanc is hands-down one of the top white wine picks for turkey and savory sides, as it tends to bring its own herbal tones to the table.
- Red Wine Pairings: Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Syrah/Shiraz
- White Wine Pairings: Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Gewürztraminer
Wine Pairing #7: Traditional Italian Panettone
Moscato d’Asti is perfect with pastries, fresh fruit, or hazelnut cake. The best pairing however, is with Panettone or Pandoro, a truly festive Italian tradition.
- Recommended Dessert Wine Pairings: Moscato D’Asti
AND to Serve These Pairings…
For this Holiday Season, Wineemotion’s Quattro, is the ultimate wine dispensing and preservation system to serve these must try pairings. You can display your favorite wines, serve them by the glass at the ideal temperature, and be sure they’re always fresh.
So here they are: our must-try suggestion list for you this 2017 holiday! We hope you’ll like some of the above pairings while enjoying your time with your family and friends. What is your favorite wine pairing?
About Wineemotion
Wine dispensers by Wineemotion™ USA are the perfect complement to any wine-by-the-glass program. Wineemotion™ is the creation of Riccardo Gosi, the internationally renowned creator of modern day wine dispensing systems that have transformed how wine is sold and served worldwide since 2003. Our patented wine dispenser technology eliminates cross aromatic contamination, preserves wine for over 30 days and increases profit by optimizing your wine-by-the-glass program.