10 Best Wines for Christmas Dinner

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10 Best Wines for Christmas Dinner

For many, the Christmas dinner is the perfect opportunity to dazzle your family and friends with the best wines in your cellar, from aged reds to vibrant whites, fancy sparklers and more. But with all the different dishes on the table and various preferences of your guests, there’s more to it than simply picking out your favorites. This Christmas wine guide will help you select the best bottles, sure to please a wide range of palates and elevate everything from a holiday ham to potatoes au gratin, prime rib and more.

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is arguably the most versatile red wine for a holiday meal. Its bright acidity, silky tannins and elegant red fruit flavors of cherry and raspberry make it a fantastic partner for a wide range of dishes. It’s light enough not to overwhelm delicate flavors but has enough structure to stand up to richer fare.

On Christmas dinner, Pinot Noir pairs beautifully with traditional turkey, duck and glazed ham. Its earthy undertones also complement mushroom-based side dishes and herb-seasoned stuffings.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon is an excellent choice for Christmas dinner’s hearty main courses, like prime rib or roast beef. This full-bodied red is known for its firm tannins, deep black fruit flavors (blackcurrant, black cherry), and savory notes of cedar and spice.

The robust structure of Cabernet Sauvignon is a perfect match for the richness of red meat, cutting through the fat and cleansing the palate. It also pairs wonderfully with roasted root vegetables and rich, savory gravies.

Merlot

Softer and plusher than Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot is a crowd-pleasing red that offers charming fruit flavors from plum to blackberry with a smooth, velvety texture. Its gentle tannins and balanced profile make it an approachable and food-friendly option for a diverse holiday spread.

Merlot is a great companion for roasted turkey, pork loin and rich pasta dishes. Its supple character ensures it won’t overpower the meal, making it a safe yet sophisticated choice for your Christmas table.

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, blackberry and a signature peppery spice.

Zinfandel’s fruit-forward profile and hint of sweetness provide a beautiful contrast to salty and savory meats. It also has the character to stand up to flavorful sides like sweet potato casserole and cranberry sauce.

Shiraz/Syrah

Shiraz (from Australia) and Syrah (from the Rhône Valley and elsewhere) are the same grape variety; the former is riper, with softer tannins and higher alcohol; the latter is typically more restrained and savory, with peppery spice, firm structure, and higher acidity. Whichever style you choose, the wines are rich and full bodied with notes of dark fruit, black pepper and smoky bacon fat, perfect for pairing with flavor-packed dishes.

Pair a bold Shiraz or Syrah with roasted lamb, venison or a peppery beef roast. The wine's savory and spicy notes will complement the richness of the meat, creating a dynamic and memorable pairing for your Christmas dinner.

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is a fantastic choice for a holiday feast. An oaked Chardonnay offers a rich, creamy texture with flavors of baked apple, vanilla and butter, making it a wonderful match for roasted turkey or chicken.

If you prefer a crisper style, an unoaked Chardonnay (like Burgundy’s Chablis) provides bright acidity and notes of green apple and citrus. This style is a fantastic choice for Christmas dinner if you're serving seafood appetizers, creamy vegetable gratins or lighter poultry dishes.

Off-Dry Riesling

An off-dry Riesling is a remarkably versatile white wine that can be a secret weapon for a complex Christmas dinner. Its touch of sweetness, balanced by high acidity, allows it to pair with a wide array of foods, from spicy to sweet and savory.

This wine 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.

Sauvignon Blanc

For those who prefer a super-crisp, refreshing white wine, Sauvignon Blanc is an excellent choice. Known for its vibrant acidity and herbal, citrusy flavors, it acts as a perfect palate cleanser throughout a rich meal.

Serve Sauvignon Blanc with green bean casserole, roasted asparagus, fresh salads and goat cheese. It's also a great partner for the white meat of a roast turkey, cutting through the richness and keeping the pairing fresh and lively.

Sparkling Wine

Don't just save the bubbles for the toast! A dry sparkling wine (like most Champagnes, Crémants, Proseccos or Cavas), is one of the most food-friendly wines you can pour. Its high acidity and cleansing effervescence can cut through rich, fatty and salty foods with ease.

Sparkling wine is perfect for starting the meal with appetizers like smoked salmon or creamy cheeses. It’s also a surprisingly great partner for fried foods and can carry you all the way through the main course, especially with poultry or pork.

Port Wine (For Desserts)

When it's time for dessert, a bottle of Port is the perfect nightcap. This fortified wine from Portugal is rich, sweet and complex, with deep flavors of blackberry, raspberry, chocolate, and cinnamon.

A Ruby Port, with its vibrant fruit notes, is a classic pairing for chocolate lava cakes, flourless chocolate torte, and strong blue cheeses like Stilton. 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.