Holiday Food and Wine
Holiday food & Wine Pairings
Pairing Holiday Fare

 

When selecting wine to serve with the medley of flavors at a holiday dinner, the key is to balance tastes and intensity of flavors. It is also necessary to match the wine not just to the meat or main dish, but also to the way it is prepared, as the seasonings or cooking method can affect a pairing selection.
If turkey is prepared with a fruit-based or sweet sauce, for example, an off-dry white such as Riesling or Gewürztraminer can be a good match. If it is drizzled with buttery juices, the similar character of Chardonnay may be a good partner. Also, take into account the varied tastes from the side dishes-a rich, fruity red such as Shiraz or Zinfandel can complement strongly flavored side dishes. If opting for fish, salmon may pair well with a subtle white such as Pinot Gris if it is poached, but if it’s grilled, a light-bodied red wine is a better match.
Ultimately your preferences come into play, but here are suggestions to try with traditional holiday fare throughout the season. Our staff is always happy to offer additional recommendations and answer any questions you may have. Bon appétit!

 

Turkey

 

Fruity and rich wines work well whether you prefer white or red. Because the meat itself is quite wine-friendly and can pair well with many whites and reds, take into account the range of sweet to savory flavors that the side dishes add to the mix.
  • Red: Beaujolais, Pinot Noir, fruity Zinfandel
  • White: Chablis, white Burgundy, Chardonnay (especially California or other new world with little or no oak), Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc
  • Sparkling: Especially brut, rosé, or a dry sparkling Shiraz
Beef
 
Beef needs a wine with a bit of body. The protein and fat in beef can also soften tannic wines such as Brunello or Cabernet.
  • Red: Barbaresco, Barolo, Bordeaux, Brunello, Burgundy, Cabernet Sauvignon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Malbec, Merlot, Nebbiolo, Pinot Noir, Rioja, Shiraz and Zinfandel
Pork

 

The slightly sweet flavor of ham pairs well with fruity, light- to medium-bodied whites or fruity reds. Pork loin pairs nicely with young and fruity Burgundy, Pinot Noir and Riesling, especially American or Spätlese.
  • Red: Beaujolais, Burgundy, Merlot, Pinot Noir (especially if served with mustard sauce), young Zinfandel and off-dry rosé
  • White: Chablis, Champagne, unoaked Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Grigio and Riesling
Lamb

 

The suggested red wines pair well with the stronger flavors of lamb, but seasoning opens more doors. If the lamb is seasoned with curry, a white such as Gewürztraminer or Riesling could pair nicely, and lamb roasted in garlic should match up with Zinfandel.
  • Red: Amarone, Barbera, Barbaresco, Barolo, red Bordeaux and red Burgundy, Cabernet Sauvignon, rosé Champagne, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Chianti, Côtes du Rhône, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Shiraz and Zinfandel
  • White: Gewürztraminer or Riesling (if curry spiced)
Seafood
 
The traditional tendency is to pair seafood with white wine. The tannins in red wine tend to taste a bit metallic with white fish, so it may be best to avoid pairing Cabernet, full-bodied Merlot and Syrah with seafood, including shellfish. However, tuna, salmon and some full-flavored fish make good partners with light reds such as Pinot Noir.
  • Red: Pinot Noir
  • White: Albariño, Chablis, Champagne, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris/Grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Viognier

 

 

turkey in oven
SIP ON THIS
That’s a Lot of Turkeys
 

 

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 45 million turkeys are cooked and eaten in the U.S. at Thanksgiving-that’s one sixth of all turkeys sold in the country each year.

 

Thanksgiving Table with sides
Holiday food & Wine Pairings

 

Grilled Thanksgiving Fixings

 

 

 

While the bird roasts, add a little smoke to your Thanksgiving sides with these recipes for grilled side dishes.

 

 

Grilled Asparagus
Holiday food & Wine Pairings

 

Grilled Asparagus

 

 

 

Makes 4 Servings  

 

1 asparagus bunch
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Sprinkle of rosemary
  1. Wash and dry each asparagus spear before cutting ½ to 1 inch of the stems off. Take a large piece of aluminum foil and lay the asparagus on top. Drizzle with olive oil before adding all other seasonings across the spears. Fold the foil over to create a pocket and seal asparagus inside.
  2. Grill foil packet over medium heat for 6 to 7 minutes, flipping from side to side. Carefully remove foil from grill and unwrap asparagus. Plate onto a large platter and serve.

 

 

Cranberry Sauce
Holiday food & Wine Pairings

 

Smoky Cranberry Sauce

 

 

 

Makes 4 to 6 Servings  
3 large chipotle chilies, dried
12 ounces cranberries
1 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup apple juice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  1. In a medium saucepan over medium to high heat, stir cranberries, chipotle chilies, butter, apple juice and cinnamon. Allow mixture to come to a boil and cranberries to soften. Continue stirring for 10 minutes, as the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
  2. Refrigerate sauce 24 hours before serving. Serve at room temperature.

 

 

Grilled Mashed Potatoes
Holiday food & Wine Pairings

 

Grilled Mashed Potatoes

 

 

 

Makes 4 to 6 Servings  
3 pounds small red potatoes, quartered
¾ cup butter; melted
2 tablespoons garlic, minced
1 cup milk
Salt and pepper to taste
Drizzle of olive oil
Parsley, for garnish
  1. In a large bowl, toss potato quarters with olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper.
  2. Place in a grill basket over medium to high heat for 20 to 25 minutes. Allow potatoes to become soft without burning. Continually toss.
  3. Once soft, remove from heat and mash potatoes, adding milk and melted butter. Once mashed, serve in a large bowl and garnish with parsley.

 

 

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