Article: Wine recommendations for Christmas dinner

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Weinempfehlungen für das Weihnachtsessen

Dec 2, 2024

Wine recommendations for Christmas dinner

Wine as the centerpiece of the Christmas dinner

Christmas is a time for family, celebration, and, of course, delicious food. A well-chosen wine can elevate your festive menu and perfectly complement the flavors of your dishes. In this article, you'll learn which wines are ideal for different courses of your Christmas dinner and how to make the perfect selection.

The importance of choosing the right wine

Choosing the right wine can make the difference between a good Christmas dinner and an unforgettable one. A suitable wine enhances the flavors of the food, creates harmonious taste combinations, and contributes to the overall atmosphere.

Wine recommendations for different courses

Here you will find our recommendations for the best wines to accompany each course of your Christmas dinner:

1. Aperitif: Sparkling wine or champagne

Start your Christmas dinner with a sparkling wine or champagne . These wines are perfect for a festive start to the evening:

Brut Champagne: Classic and elegant, ideal for starting the evening.
Rosé sparkling wine: With fruity notes and a beautiful color, perfect for festive occasions.

2. Starter: White wine for light dishes

A fresh white wine goes perfectly with light appetizers such as salads, soups or seafood:

Dry Riesling: With its high acidity and fruity aromas, it complements many appetizers.
Pinot Grigio: Light and crisp, ideal for light and fresh dishes.

3. Main course: Red wine for savory dishes

The main course is often characterized by hearty and robust flavors. A full-bodied red wine is the perfect choice here.

Cabernet Sauvignon: Robust and rich in tannins, ideal with roast beef or game dishes.
Merlot: Soft and fruity, goes well with poultry or lamb.

4. Dessert: Sweet wine for sweet treats

A sweet wine is a must to finish the meal. It perfectly complements the sweet desserts.

Port wine: Rich and sweet, ideal with chocolate desserts or cheese platters.
Sauternes: Fruity and honey-like, perfect with fruit tarts or tiramisu.

Tips for choosing wine for Christmas dinner

Here are some tips to help you choose the right wines for your Christmas dinner:

Consider the flavors: Choose wines that complement the main flavors of your dishes.
Balance of weight and intensity: A light wine for a light dish and a full-bodied wine for a hearty dish.
Regional harmonies: Wines and dishes from the same region often harmonize particularly well.
Staff preferences: Consider your guests' preferences to ensure everyone can enjoy the wine.

Tabular overview: Wine recommendations for Christmas dishes

Here you'll find a quick overview of our wine recommendations for various Christmas dishes:

aisle	Court	Recommended wine
aperitif	Champagne Brut	Champagne Brut
appetizer	Shrimp salad	dry Riesling
Main course	Roast beef	Cabernet Sauvignon
dessert	chocolate fondant	Port wine

Wine tastings and degustations: A special experience

Why not host a small wine tasting before dinner? This can not only be fun, but also increase anticipation for the festive meal. Here are some ideas:

Wine tasting: Offer a selection of small glasses of different wines that complement each course.
Expand your wine knowledge: Explain to your guests the special characteristics of the selected wines and how they harmonize with the dishes.
Interactive elements: Let your guests rate the wines and share their favorite combinations.

Scientific findings on wine pairing

A study from the University of Heidelberg has shown that well-matched wine pairings can significantly enhance the dining experience. Participants who paired their meals with suitable wines rated their food higher and enjoyed the flavors more intensely.

Room for creativity: Develop your own wine recommendations

Use these recommendations as a starting point, but don't be afraid to create your own wine pairings . Here are some creative approaches:

Wine experiments: Try different wines with the same dish to find out which combination you like best.
Seasonal wines: Choose wines that taste particularly good during the winter season, such as strong red wines or sweet dessert wines.
Regional specialties: Discover wines from the regions where your favorite dishes are served to create authentic taste experiences.

Recipes to enjoy with the recommended wines

Here are two delicious recipes that pair perfectly with our recommended wines:

Roast beef with red wine sauce

Ingredients:

1.5 kg beef roast
2 onions, roughly chopped
4 cloves of garlic, chopped
500 ml Cabernet Sauvignon
500 ml beef broth
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 sprigs of rosemary
salt and pepper
olive oil

Preparation:

Season the roast beef generously with salt and pepper.
Heat olive oil in a large roasting pan and sear the roast on all sides until nicely browned. Remove and set aside.
Sauté the onions and garlic in the roasting pan until soft.
Add tomato paste and sauté briefly.
Deglaze with Cabernet Sauvignon and allow the liquid to reduce slightly.
Add beef broth and rosemary, place the roast back in the roasting pan and braise in a preheated oven at 160°C for about 3 hours.
Remove the roast, pass the sauce through a sieve and season to taste.
Slice the roast beef and serve with the red wine sauce.

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