The Perfect Holiday Food and Wine Pairings
One of the best ways to enjoy holiday meals with friends and family is by having delicious pairings on your table. So much focus goes into prepping and cooking the perfect dishes, and it’s easy to forget about what’s in your glass alongside your delicious food.
But don’t overlook this step! Everything tastes better when paired with the right complement – whether that’s a bold red wine, a bubbly prosecco, a hearty stout beer, or even a refreshing lemonade.
In fact, having the perfect holiday pairings can elevate a party, dinner, drinks, or just an evening at home. Many people don’t realize that the right flavor pairings can enhance all the elements of your meal. And on the flip side, the wrong pairings can suppress certain flavors.
For example, you may have a succulent pot roast on the table, but did you know that pairing it with a bold, high-tannin red wine can make the flavors taste even better? Or, if you’re enjoying it with a delicate white wine, the flavors of the meat might overpower the wine’s lovely flavors.
What wine is good for a holiday party? While there are no hard and fast rules for pairing wines with holiday meals, there are a few guidelines for ensuring you’re getting the most out of your flavors. Below, we’ve enlisted the help of our experts to suggest a holiday food and wine pairing guide to give you some direction.
Remember: everyone’s palate is different, so some pairings may work better than others for your taste. The best bet is to try a few different options and see what speaks to your tastebuds the most.
The Best Pairings for Holiday Appetizers and Small Bites
If your holiday party or dinner involves appetizers to kick things off, make sure you’re pouring a beverage that pairs perfectly with them. In general, since appetizers are on the lighter side light, crisp wines work well to start things off.
For example, light or fresh cheeses pair wonderfully with crisp white wine or sparkling wine. If you have cured meats or bites with garlic, try a light-bodied red or a full-bodied white.
Here are specific wine suggestions for pairing with common holiday appetizers:
Charcuterie board: Sparkling wines — such as Prosecco or Champagne — and crisp white wines work well if your cheeseboard has goat cheese or other fresh cheeses and dried fruits. Rosé wine is a great option alongside cured meats, semi-firm cheese, and mild cheddar.
Deviled eggs: Try pouring Sauvignon Blanc, which has fresh herbal notes that are a great pairing for savory flavors like dill or olives.
Garlic bread: A Sauvignon Blanc has crisp grassy notes that are perfect for garlic and herbs, while a dry Riesling offers fresh floral and citrus notes that will enhance the rich flavors. Other great options include sparkling wine with high acidity to cut through oil, or a light-bodied red such as Pinot Noir or Beaujolais.
Vegetable crudites: The crisp grassy notes of Sauvignon Blanc will work well with assorted raw veggies. Other great white wine options include Gruner Veltliner, Arneis, or Prosecco.
Bruschetta: An elegant, high-acid white wine such as Vermentino or Pinot Grigio will help enhance the flavors of this appetizer. A sparkling rosé or Chianti Classico can pair well with these flavors too.
Bacon-wrapped dates: Pour a full-bodied red wine such as Merlot, Syrah, or Cabernet Sauvignon. The tannins and bold flavors will complement the rich, smokey flavors of the appetizer.
Coconut shrimp: A Prosecco, Pinot Grigio, or off-dry Riesling will be a great match for slightly sweet coconut crusting, and the high acidity works well with the shrimp.
Onion dip: For a rich and creamy dip, opt for a full-bodied white wine with matching rich flavors, such as Chardonnay or Viognier.
Baked brie: If your brie is on the earthy side, try Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, or Pinot Noir for a great pairing. If your brie has honey or sweet notes, an off-dry Riesling is an excellent choice.
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The Best Pairings for Holiday Vegetable Dishes and Sides
Vegetables can be a little tricky to pair because oftentimes they have bitter notes that can clash with tannins in wine. Sauces and seasonings can also affect the overall taste of the pairing.
However, with the right choices, you can successfully elevate the flavors of both the veggies and the wine to create a perfect holiday pairing.
Brussels sprouts: For a recipe with lighter sauce or seasoning, try a crisp white wine that highlights the fresh green notes, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Gruner Veltliner. If your dish has creamy or rich sauce with bacon, try a full-bodied white wine such as a Chablis, or a Syrah or Tempranillo to highlight the meat.
Green beans or spinach: A light-bodied, high-acid red wine like Pinot Noir or Beaujolais can help elevate the flavors, while a crisp Gruner Veltliner or Semillon can complement the earthy, green flavors in the dish.
Glazed carrots: A full-bodied white such as Riesling or Viognier with floral notes can highlight the sweet flavors in roasted carrots.
Sweet potatoes: Try a rich, full-bodied, oaked Chardonnay to match the sweet and buttery notes in sweet potatoes.
Mashed potatoes: Choose a wine that will match the rich, buttery notes of mashed potatoes, such as a full-bodied Chardonnay with buttery, oaky notes and high acidity to cut through the rich flavors.
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The Best Pairings for Holiday Entrees
When it’s time to sit down and enjoy the main event, make sure your guests’ glasses are filled with drinks that will enrich hearty entrees and complement bold flavors.
Rich meat-based dishes tend to pair perfectly with red wines that have bold flavors and high tannins, although some additional options can offer great flavor combinations too. Here’s a wine pairing guide for those holiday meals.
Honey glazed ham: Pour a wine with a bit of body and a hint of sweetness to play off the honey, such as an off-dry Riesling, or a fruit-forward red like Shiraz or Pinot Noir.
Juicy roast turkey: A rich, fruity Chardonnay or Viognier works well for pairing with delicate flavors in white meat. A medium-bodied red with high acidity such as Pinot Noir or Gamay can bring out the flavors in heartier sauces. Meanwhile, a jammy and juicy Zinfandel works wonders with darker cuts of meat.
Roasted pork tenderloin: To emphasize the succulent and rich flavors of the pork, open juicy red wines like fruity Pinot Noir, spicy Syrah, or a bold Zinfandel.
Rack of lamb: For tender cuts of lamb, a Pinot Noir or Bordeaux blend will go perfectly with the delicate meat. If the lamb is seasoned with Italian herbs, a Chianti Classico can also be a great match.
Roast chicken: While the perfect pairing can vary depending on the seasonings, a Pinot Noir or Beaujolais is a great all-around option for poultry. With richer roasts, try a ripe Syrah. For delicate seasonings, an oaked Chardonnay, or a Golden or Blonde Ale beer can be great options.
Roast beef: For beef roasted in a rich sauce, try a full-bodied red wine such as Cabernet or Syrah. If you have a lighter gravy, a Bordeaux blend, Rioja, or Porter beer can be delicious too.
Meat pie: A Tempranillo with bold flavors and a hint of spice will work wonders with this dish, as will a Syrah with dark fruit notes to complement a hearty filling.
Shepherd’s pie: Go with a classic English Ale, Stout, or Porter for this hearty dish. You can also opt for a Bordeaux or Sangiovese blend to highlight the variety of flavors.
Pot roast: A bold Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, or Malbec with velvety tannins can work beautifully with roasted meats, while an earthy Barolo is a great choice if there are mushrooms or other vegetables in the roast.
Classic meatloaf: For hearty meat dishes, a juicy, rustic red like Syrah or Zinfandel can be a perfect complement. Other great choices include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah.
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The Best Pairings For Holiday Desserts and Sweets
We’ve saved the best for last! Any great holiday meal has a sweet finish, and it’s only right to have the perfect drinks to match.
While it may seem counterintuitive to pair a sweet drink with sweet foods, you’d be surprised how well they work together. The sugar in the dessert counterbalances the sweetness in a wine, leaving you with all the beautiful flavors of the meal.
Here are some fantastic wine pairings with holiday favorites that will leave everyone asking for seconds.
Cheesecake: A lovely pairing for cheesecake is a dessert wine with honey and stone fruit notes, such as Sauternes or late-harvest Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc. If the cheesecake has extra zesty lemon flavors, a Moscato d’Asti or ice wine with citrus notes can be a delicious choice.
Chocolate tart or brownies: For ooey gooey chocolate desserts, a dry red like Merlot or a ruby port with sweet fruit notes can offer a delicious complement.
Apple pie: Moscato d’Asti has delicious citrus and apple notes that work perfectly with apple pie, while a tawny port offers caramel notes that will create a caramel-apple-like flavor.
Pumpkin pie: Try an aged tawny port with dried orange, fig, and spice notes that offer a perfect pairing for pumpkin pie spices.
Pecan pie: For the sweet and nutty flavors of a pecan pie, open a light-bodied red wine with juicy and spicy notes, such as a Gamay.
Pound or Almond cake: Try a sweet or late-harvest Riesling with bright floral notes, or a bubbly Moscato d’Asti.
Lemon meringue pie: A slightly sweet Prosecco or Moscato d’Asti can be a great option for balancing the acidity of the citrus and highlighting the delicate flavors of this dessert.
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To find the perfect wines and spirits for the holidays, we invite you to stop by Wally's in person, or contact our customer service representatives. Our team is always happy to recommend a great bottle for any occasion.