Guide to Wine Pairing
Pairing the perfect wine, champagne, sherry, or port with a holiday feast can be daunting. Here is a quick reference guide for matching wines with traditional tastes and flavors at the holiday table.
| Flavors | Recommended Spirits |
| Classic Holiday Turkey |
- Pinot Noir
- All kinds of Beaujolais
- Full-bodied Sauvignon Blanc
|
| Classic Holiday Roast Beef |
- Robust Cabernet Sauvignon
- Bordeaux
|
| Classic Holiday Ham |
|
Briny/Salty
(seafood and shellfish) |
- Pinot Grigio
- Vernaccia
- Muscadet
- Pinot Bianco
- White Bordeaux
|
Spicy
(hot chilies, ginger, pepper) |
- Fruity, full-bodied Gerwurztraminer
- Dolcetto d'Alba
- Moscato d'Asti
- Extra dry Champagne
- German Riesling
|
Smoked or Grilled
(fish, meats, or vegetables) |
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Spicy Zinfandel
- Full blown Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Syrah
- Pinot Noir or Pinot Gris
|
Tangy
(citrus, cranberry) |
- German Riesling
- Tangy Italian Arneis
- Viognier
- Ugni Blanc
- Light Cotes du Rhone
- Sparkling wines
|
Earthy
(root vegetables, mushrooms) |
- Cabernet and Bordeaux blends
- Rhone varietals
- Chateauneuf du Pape
- Barolo
- Pinot Noir
- Dry Sherry
- Rioja
|
Sweet Endings
(desserts) |
- Ports
- Late harvest Sauvignon Blanc
- Cream Sherry
- Malmsey Madeira
- Ice wines
- Sauterne
|
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