Oh Sip! Holiday Wine Guide

Happy holidays, friends. One of my many interests and favorite pastimes is drinking wine. I love to taste it, chug it, buy it, and steal it from my dad’s collection. As a result, I now know a thing or two about wine. “Oh Sip” is my series on all things wine. I will tell you where to buy it, what to buy, how to drink it, and everything else you need to know to impress all your friends that drink pink moscato out of plastic cups. Let’s start with the basics. Below you will find my favorite holiday wines and what favorite Christmas dishes you can pair them with.

Cava

This Spanish sparkling wine is always a great gift to bring a host. You don’t have to worry about breaking the bank to get some bubbly. Cava is great on its own for holiday toasts. It also pairs well with holiday sugar cookies. If you’re having a Christmas Day brunch, this wine also is great with chicken and waffles.

Riesling

This is one of my favorite types of wine. If you are ready to graduate from a sweet Moscato, I recommend trying Riesling. It is drier than Moscato but it has a crisp and fruity taste. Riesling pairs perfectly with one of my Christmas favorites: HAM. I recommend a drier Riesling for a honey baked ham and a sweeter one for a salty, country ham. It also is a lovely contrast to spicy gingerbread cookies and any other spicy Christmas meals that you plan to have.

Pinot Grigio

This is always a staple in my house because it is so versatile. This zesty, chilled white wine is great with a cheesy, baked mac and cheese or even a pasta dish like Chicken Alfredo. If you are eating fish for your Christmas feast, Pinot Grigio also pairs well with most fish or shrimp dishes.

Merlot

I am not a huge fan of red wines but Merlot is one of my favorites. This is not a sweet red but the notes of cherry and raspberry make up for that. I recommend having Merlot with a pork tenderloin, rump roast, or any other cut of lean meat. It also pairs well with roasted potatoes and most vegetables. Across the board, this is a great wine for the entire dinner. The fruitiness balances nicely with a heavy holiday meal.

Syrah

This is another red that I actually like. Syrah is a spicy, full-bodied girl with smoky notes. This is another versatile option for your Christmas feast. Syrah pairs with most meats especially those with big, bold flavors or heavy sauces like barbecue ribs or roasted lamb. It also pairs with hard cheeses like cheddar and dark chocolate cake.

The Overall Tea:

Don’t be afraid to try something new this holiday season. Be that cousin that brings something other than Hennessy to the dinner table. Try out some of these simple pairings and let me know how impressed your family was.