Christmas is coming, and the goose may be getting fat, but the important question is: do you know what wine you’re pairing with that aforementioned goose?! If the answer is no, then we’ve got you covered! Whether you’re eating red meat, poultry, game or vegetarian this Christmas, we’ve got something to pair with every type of meal and every part of your Christmas feast. So read on to ensure that you can truly eat, drink and be merry this festive season!

Wine to pair with…breakfast (also known as, our choice for Bucks Fizz!)

Starting with what is often described as the most important meal of the day: breakfast. And why should a Christmas breakfast be any different? Many of us enjoy a little tipple of Bucks Fizz first thing on Christmas morning, and why not? It’s a great way to elevate the start of your day.

Having said that, we’d advise leaving the expensive champagne on the wine rack…here’s an alternative for you: 2014  Jacques Bruere Brut Reserve champagne blend. A classic Champagne-style sparkling wine from South Africa, made in the traditional method from a 60/40 blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. When paired with fresh orange juice it’s perfect for making a festive Bucks Fizz, as its bright citrus and peach notes complement the juice while the fine bubbles lift and refresh the palate.

This of course makes it the perfect pairing Christmas morning breakfast, as it works well with the likes of smoked salmon, cutting through the richness while highlighting the delicate flavours, and can even work surprisingly well with brunches of bacon sandwiches, where the crispness and effervescence tame the saltiness of the meat. Light, celebratory, and elegant, it’s an ideal sparkling companion to start the day in style.

Wine for…Christmas starters

Setting the scene for your Christmas feast begins with the starters, and every part of your Christmas meal deserves a special wine to go with it. This Chianti Classico Riserva from Banfi is built largely from Sangiovese (around 85-90%) and aged for 24 months (12 of which in wood), giving it both structure and elegance. On the nose you’ll encounter ripe plum and blackberry jam, layered with hints of liquorice, vanilla and leather from the oak ageing. On the palate there’s excellent structure, soft yet perceptible tannins, lively acidity and a savoury finish that lingers.

What starters does it work with and why?

  • A charcuterie board or cured meats grazing table: the wine’s acidity and fruit will refresh the palate, particularly between courses.
  • Mushroom soup or a creamy mushroom velouté: the earthiness of the mushrooms complement the wine’s savoury notes.
  • Tomato-based savoury tarts: the acidy in the wine will match the tomato to keep things balanced.

This is also a wine which will work well with after dinner cheeses, especially hard cheeses, mature cheddar, Gruyère, Comté, or Manchego or blue cheeses, as its savoury depth and the wine’s structure cuts through richness while its ripe fruit and earthy notes complement the nutty, aged flavours perfectly. Don’t forget that we also have a whole list of suggestions for wine to pair with cheese available here!

White wine to pair with…turkey or chicken

If you’re keeping to tradition this year and serving turkey or chicken, then our go-to wine pairing has to be the Ladoix Blanc 1er Cru Le Rognet 2022 from Domaine d’Ardhuy. This is a beautifully expressive white Burgundy, with a light golden hue and offering aromas of pear, white plum and hints of exotic fruit. Subtle touches of vanilla and toast from oak ageing add depth without overpowering the wine’s natural freshness. Incorporating both finesse and structure, it makes for a sophisticated Christmas dinner choice.

This wine is a wonderful companion to roast chicken or turkey, especially at Christmas. Its lively acidity cuts through the richness of golden, buttery skin, while its supple texture and gentle oak mirror the warmth and comfort of festive flavours. The citrus and mineral backbone refresh the palate between bites, and the subtle vanilla spice echoes classic holiday trimmings like roast vegetables, chestnuts, or cranberry sauce. Elegant yet generous, this Ladoix Blanc complements white meats beautifully, elevating a traditional Christmas roast into something truly memorable.

Red wine to pair with…turkey and chicken

If you’re a red wine drinker as opposed to white, Domaine Chanson’s Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru Les Vergelesses is a refined Burgundy Pinot Noir from vineyards on the slopes beneath Corton. It shows vibrant aromas of red cherry, plum and blackcurrant, with subtle spice, cocoa and a hint of earthiness. The palate is silky yet structured, balancing ripe fruit with fresh acidity and fine tannins. A touch of oak and minerality adds depth and length, making this a graceful, expressive red with real finesse.

This elegant Pinot Noir is a perfect match for Christmas turkey or roast chicken. Its bright red-fruit character complements the delicate flavours of the meat, while its gentle tannins and lively acidity cut through the richness of roasted skin, gravy or stuffing. The subtle spice and savoury notes echo festive sides like root vegetables and herbs, creating a harmonious, balanced pairing that enhances the meal without overpowering it.

Wine to pair with…beef

Beef is another popular choice at Christmas, and rightly so. The Rutherford Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from Beaulieu Vineyard is an ideal companion for a robust beef dish, and displays a rich, inky purple core and opens with aromas of black currant, blackberry and dark plum, layered with violet and rose petals and subtle hints of graphite and espresso. On the palate it is full-bodied and powerful, yet polished: cassis, black cherry and mocha are mixed with cedar, clove and caramel from the oak aging.

This Cabernet is a superb partner for a festive roast beef dinner, or indeed a classic beef Wellington. Its generous dark-fruit flavours and firm tannins complement the rich, juicy meat, while the wine’s subtle oak spice and earthy undertones mirror the caramelised crust of a perfectly roasted joint. The wine’s natural acidity cuts through the richness of the beef and any accompanying gravy or Yorkshire pudding, keeping each bite lively and balanced. Whether served alongside traditional roast beef or an elegant Beef Wellington, the Rutherford Reserve brings a sense of luxury and celebration to the Christmas table.

Wine to pair with…vegetarian dishes

The vegetarians among you deserve just as good a wine pairing as the meat eaters among you! As such, we’d suggest Le Difese, from Tenuta San Guido (the same estate behind Sassicaia). This is a medium-to-full-bodied blend of roughly 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Sangiovese. It offers gentle tannins, fresh acidity, and a complex palate of red and black cherry, plum, cedar, herbal notes, and a touch of spice. Softer than a pure Cabernet or full Bordeaux, it strikes a balance of structure and approachability, making it versatile for food pairings and particularly those of the vegetarian variety.

If you’re serving a Christmas nut roast, this wine will work beautifully alongside it. The Sangiovese’s lively acidity cuts through the richness of nuts and dense, earthy vegetables, while the Cabernet provides enough structure to match roasted, nutty flavours. Its subtle herbal and earthy notes echo common nut roast ingredients like sage, thyme, mushrooms, and onions, especially when paired with a tomato-based or red wine gravy. The wine itself is also vegan friendly, with no animal products used in its production! The result is an elegant, balanced, and festive vegetarian pairing that enhances the dish without overpowering it.

Wine to pair with…other main course options

Of course, not everyone wants the traditional turkey, beef or even a vegetarian option. If you opt for something a little more unusual, you might like to add La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 into the mix. This wine is crafted from 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano, and after four years of ageing in American oak it greets you with a deep garnet robe edged with brick‑tones. You’ll find aromas of wild strawberries, red cherries and plum blending into richer tertiary notes of tobacco leaf, cedar, ground coffee, vanilla and a subtle hint of camphor. On the palate it’s elegant and poised, featuring silky tannins, vibrant acidity, generous but refined fruit and an impressively long, polished finish.

So what alternatives can you pair this with?

  • Roast lamb or leg of lamb with herbs: the earthy, savoury notes beautifully match the lamb’s richness, as well as herbs like rosemary and thyme.
  • Roast duck or goose: the fruit and spice in a Reserva Rioja balance the fattiness and flavour of duck or goose, especially with berry or cherry sauces.
  • Pork with dried fruit or wine reduction sauce: the subtle sweetness from oak aging works wonderfully with fruity glazes (think figs, prunes or cherries).

This is a great option for alternative dishes and works well with many different options.

Wine to pair with…dessert:

When it comes to dessert wine, Rutherglen Muscat from Chambers Rosewood is, quite frankly, Christmas in a bottle! A beautiful tawny hue, it opens with captivating aromas of rose petals, raisins and dried fruit that promise the richness to come. On the palate, it delivers layers of sweetness beautifully lifted by clean, bright acidity that prevents it from ever feeling heavy or cloying. It’s decadent and refreshing in one go, with hints of sweet spice and zest that linger long after each sip.

For pairing with Christmas pudding, mince pies or rich fruit cake, the Rutherglen Muscat is an absolute triumph. The wine’s dried fruit and raisin notes create a harmonious echo with traditional Christmas desserts, while its sweet spice characteristics beautifully complement the cinnamon, nutmeg, and mixed spice in your festive bakes.

Our suggestion? Serve it slightly chilled alongside a slice of panettone or stollen, and watch how its vibrant acidity cuts through the butter and richness. It’s equally magnificent with chocolate-based desserts like a Yule log or chocolate torte, where the wine’s complexity stands up to intense cocoa flavours. We guarantee that your guests will be asking for seconds!

We’ve got Christmas covered at Shenfield Wine Co!

Whatever your preference for your festive feast, we’ve got the wine to pair with it at Shenfield Wine Co. Whether you opt for one of the options here, or would like some advice on something a little different, pop in store and our friendly wine buffs will be able to help you.

Pop in store and see our extensive selection for yourself, and let’s make this is a Christmas to truly eat, drink and be merry!

 

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