Introduction
If you’ve ever heard that Christmas feasts pair beautifully with wine—it's absolutely true! When preparing classic holiday dishes like ham, turkey, roast goose, or prime rib, you definitely shouldn’t forget to choose the right wine to go with them. Sharing hearty food and delicious wine with family and friends is one of life’s greatest joys during the festive season.
Ham Pairing Guide
Whether it’s baked, smoked, or glazed, ham pairs wonderfully with slightly sweet wines. Light-bodied, low-alcohol, semi-sweet whites such as Riesling are excellent choices. Ham also matches well with light, soft-tannin, easy-drinking red wines such as Beaujolais Nouveau, Pinot Noir from Burgundy, and Spain’s Tempranillo.
Recommended red wines: Beaujolais Nouveau, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Tempranillo.
Recommended white wines: Riesling, Gewurztraminer.
Turkey Pairing Guide
Turkey is generally one of the easiest foods to pair with wine. But let’s be honest—no one eats plain turkey by itself! A proper Christmas turkey is stuffed with herbs, served with roasted vegetables, and complemented by flavorful sides. Therefore, wine selection should consider the turkey’s seasonings and preparation.
Sauvignon Blanc is the perfect match: its herbal notes beautifully complement the herbs commonly used in roasted turkey.
Recommended red wines: Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Syrah, Beaujolais Nouveau.
Recommended white wines: Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Riesling, Gewurztraminer.
Duck Pairing Guide
Duck meat is rich, fatty, and carries a distinctive gamey character, making it an ideal match for traditional French red wines. Whether roasted, smoked, or braised, duck pairs wonderfully with reds from Burgundy, Bordeaux, or the Rhône Valley.
However, if the duck is prepared with fruit-based sauces, then aromatic, fruit-forward white wines become a better match. Gewurztraminer, Riesling, and Sauternes pair exceptionally well with fruit-glazed duck dishes.
Recommended red wines: Zinfandel, Burgundy red wines, Tempranillo.
Recommended white wines: Gewurztraminer, Sauternes.
Prime Rib Pairing Guide
Prime rib is one of the easiest dishes to pair with wine. It pairs exceptionally well with bold California Cabernet Sauvignon, lively and spicy Lodi Zinfandel, rustic Spanish Tempranillo, elegant Burgundy Pinot Noir, and Italy’s prestigious Barolo and Barbaresco.
In fact, almost any style of red wine can work with prime rib. And while there’s no strict rule saying white wine can’t pair with it, adventurous drinkers can try a full-bodied Burgundy Chardonnay, which complements the richness of the beef surprisingly well.
Recommended red wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah, Tempranillo, Carmenere, Malbec, Merlot, Barolo, Barbaresco, Bordeaux blends, Rhône blends.
Other Dishes Pairing Guide
If you love exploring beyond traditional Christmas fare, you may also enjoy dishes with regional or international flair. Here’s a helpful reminder: Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and aromatic Viognier pair beautifully with dishes seasoned with Asian spices.
Fortified wines—such as Port and Madeira—are ideal companions for European-style desserts.
And remember, when pairing wine with food, flavor alone isn’t enough. Always consider the texture of the dish, the spices used, and the type of sauces that accompany it.
Wine Serving Temperature Quick Reference
| Wine Type | Ideal Serving Temperature | Best Storage Option |
| Light-bodied Red Wines (Pinot Noir, Beaujolais) | 12–14°C (54–57°F) | Dual zone wine fridge – red wine section |
| Medium-bodied Red Wines (Zinfandel, Merlot) | 14–16°C (57–61°F) | Temperature-controlled wine cooler |
| Full-bodied Red Wines (Cabernet Sauvignon, Barolo, Barbaresco) | 16–18°C (61–64°F) | Red wine compartment in a wine fridge |
| Aromatic White Wines (Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Viognier) | 7–10°C (45–50°F) | Single-zone wine fridge or white wine section |
| Full-bodied White Wines (Chardonnay) | 10–12°C (50–54°F) | Dual zone wine fridge – white wine section |
| Sparkling Wines (Champagne, Prosecco) | 6–8°C (43–46°F) | Lower-cool zone of a wine fridge |
| Fortified Wines (Port, Madeira) | 10–14°C (50–57°F) | Stable-temperature wine cooler |
FAQ
1.How can I make sure wine tastes its best at Christmas dinner?
Serving temperature matters greatly. Keeping your wines in a wine fridge ensures that whites stay crisp, reds stay balanced, and everything is ready to serve throughout the celebration.
2.What wine should I serve with Christmas desserts?
Fortified wines like Port and Madeira are perfect matches for European-style holiday desserts, chocolate, dried fruit cakes, and caramel-based sweets.
3.What wines pair well with Asian-inspired holiday dishes?
Aromatic and slightly sweet whites—Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Viognier—pair beautifully with dishes seasoned with Asian spices.
4.Should I chill red wine for Christmas dinner?
Light-bodied reds like Beaujolais or Pinot Noir benefit from a slight chill (around 55°F / 13°C). A wine fridge helps maintain this ideal temperature easily.
