10 Best Wines for Christmas Dinner

Best sparkling wine for Christmas

You can set the celebratory mood perfectly by greeting your guests with a glass of fizz.  

We have a huge range of sparkling wines to choose from—including the three most famous styles—Champagne, Prosecco and Cava. So, which should you choose?

If you’re going all out to impress, Champagne is hard to beat. France's most famous sparkling wine has long been associated with luxury and fine dining. Or if you’re looking for a more affordable option, you could go with Prosecco. This popular Italian sparkling wine is sure to go down a treat with all your guests. 

But my top pick would be Cava. Spain’s signature sparkling wine is made the same way as Champagne—ensuring fine, persistent bubbles and toasty complexity—but costs a fraction of the price. 

¡Hola! Barcelona Cava Brut Rosé is a lovely example—elegant and expressive, with bright red fruit and fine bubbles. And that gorgeous pale pink colour adds an extra touch of luxury, too.  

Best red wine with Christmas turkey–Pinot Noir

If you’re serving turkey on Christmas Day, the first question is, “red or white?” Good news, it’ll go equally well with either. If you’re thinking red, it’s best to choose something light, with good freshness and elegant red fruit flavors. Few wines do that better than Pinot Noir. With its silky texture and cherry and raspberry flavors, it pairs beautifully with traditional turkey, complementing, but not overwhelming the meat. 

And what better choice than our bestselling Pinot Noir, Purple Owl? This trophy-winning star boasts layers of vibrant red berries, hints of violet and a satiny-smooth texture.  

Best white wine with Christmas turkey–Chardonnay

If you’d like to serve white wine with your turkey, Chardonnay is a fantastic choice.  

If you prefer a crisper style, an unoaked Chardonnay (like Burgundy’s Chablis) provides bright acidity and notes of green apple and citrus. Its freshness will cut through the fat of the meat and bring the wine’s fruit to the fore. But your best bet, in my opinion, is a rich, oak-aged Chardonnay—ideally from California. 

Lost Isle Chardonnay will fit the bill perfectly. Aged for six months in French oak barrels, it has a creamy texture with gorgeous tropical fruit and baked apple flavors. It’s guaranteed to make your Christmas meal even more special. 

Best red wine for honey-glazed ham—Zinfandel 

If your Christmas menu features bold and smoky flavors, like those in a honey-glazed ham or barbecued brisket, Zinfandel is an excellent pick. This ripe and robust red wine is bursting with jammy fruit flavors like raspberry and blackberry, with a signature peppery spice. 

A fantastic example is Black Saint Peter Old Vine Zinfandel. Rich and full-bodied, it offers layers of ripe black cherry and bramble fruit, with hints of pepper, mint and sweet spice. The wine's generous fruit and subtle vanilla oak complement the sweet, smoky flavors of honey-glazed ham beautifully, while its bold character stands up to all the festive trimmings. 

Best white wine for honey-glazed ham—Riesling 

Ham is another meat that goes equally well with red or white wine. If you prefer a white, an off-dry Riesling is a great pick. It’s got a touch of sweetness, balanced by high acidity, that allows it to pair with a wide array of foods, from spicy to sweet and savory. 

Green Darner Riesling, from Washington State, is a brilliant match for honey-glazed ham, as its sweetness complements the glaze while its acidity cuts through the saltiness. It also works wonderfully with slightly spicy dishes, sweet potato sides and even apple pie for dessert. 

Best wine for dessert—Port 

You’ve started the celebrations with a crisp glass of sparkling wine and served a fabulous selection of reds and whites throughout the meal. Now it’s time to spoil your guests with a luxurious dessert wine—and my top pick would be a bottle of Port. 

A Tawny Port, with its nutty and caramel notes, is wonderful with pecan pie, crème brûlée, or simply a plate of mixed nuts and dried fruits. But if you prefer to move straight onto the cheese course, choose a Late Bottled Vintage Port as it offers the depth and complexity of a vintage Port without the high price tag.  

Blended from Ports aged in oak casks for four years, Baronesa de Vilar LBV is packed with opulent dark fruit and chocolatey spices. The perfect finale to your Christmas dinner.  

Best wine to enjoy while cooking Christmas dinner 

Let’s not forget the people in the kitchen! In my household, it’s traditional for the chef—and anyone helping with peeling, basting, washing dishes and so on—to have a little glass of something to keep them going. You don’t want anything complex here—just something bold and fruity to enjoy while prepping the meal. I’d recommend Cabalié, with layers of chocolatey, ripe berry flavor made for leisurely sipping.