When selecting wines to serve with Christmas Dinner, you can do it the hard way or the easy way. I’ve done it both ways.
But last month I read New York Times Wine Columnist Eric Asimov’s advice for selecting wines for American Thanksgiving, which would apply to Christmas dinner.
Asimov realizes it doesn’t matter what grapes are in the wine or where it’s produced. And he doesn’t fret about specific wine and food pairings. While the central actor in the dinner is usually turkey and stuffing, how it’s prepared can vary widely and the side dishes are so diverse “pinpoint pairings feel like futile fussiness.”
Asimov’s advice, “Instead we preach versatility. Choosing wines that go with many sorts of dishes is a far better bet than selecting wines that no matter how good they may be, are limited in the sorts of dishes they will accompany well.”
Chances are that on Christmas, you will seldom be judged for not selecting precise pairings. And in the final analysis, if good wine and food aren’t perfect matches, everyone still enjoys good wine and good food. How bad is that?
Asimov’s commandment: “You want lively wines.” Too much acidity and the wine is sour while too little the wine tasted dull, dead, lifeless. With the right amount of acidity the wine invigorates and refreshes which Is important when you’re faced with a marathon of dishes from appetizers through to dessert.
Asimov has more advice. Don’t serve overly tannic wines, usually young red wines that need years of aging to soften their aggressive tannins. Don’t serve oaky wines whose tannins can clash with many foods. Avoid high alcohol wines that might be delicious but Christmas dinner is a long affair and you need to pace yourself!
Champagne and sparkling wines.
They have that right balance of acidity that’s crisp, fresh, and invigorating which will keep your palate in prime shape ready for the next course. Piper Heidsieck Cuvée Brut Champagne ($59.99); Chronos Brut $30.00 (VQA); Mumm Napa Brut ($27.49); Segura Viudas Cava Brut ($15.99).
Rieslings
Rieslings are probably the liveliest of varietals. From Germany, Dr. L (Loosen) Mosel ($17.99); Selbach Mosel ($19.99). BC makes delicious Rieslings: Fort Berens ($20.99), Gehringer Classic ($15.99). Australian Rieslings are bone dry and delicious: Pewsey Vale Eden Valley ($21.99); Rockbare Clare ($26.99).
Pinot Gris
Most BC whites have lively acid, which occurs, in cool climate wine regions. Pinot Gris is a great example; Poplar Grove ($19.99), Haywire Switch Back (29.90 VQA); Spearhead ($19.70); Stoneboat ($19.99; 50th Parallel. ($22.50). Pfaffenheim ($20.99) from Alsace and New Zealand’s Oyster Bay Pinot Grigio ($16.99) are worth exploring.
Chardonnay
A wise choice at Christmas would be a Chardonnay from BC. They have plenty of acid and they’re not over-oaked. Consider: Quail’s Gate ($23.99), Mission Hill ($23.99), Fort Berens ($19.99), Hester Creek ($21.99 VQA).
Two affordable French Chardonnays are Louis Latour Ardèche ($18.99) and Louis Latour Bourgogne ($24.99). If you want one of the liveliest white wines uncork La Chablisienne Chablis ($32.99). From California, I’ve enjoyed the organic Bonterra ($19.99).
Rosés
Rosés are lively and also versatile with many foods including turkey and ham. Almost every BC winery produces rosés: Joie Re:Think Pink ($22.99); Baillie-Grohman Florence ($19.49 VQA); Road 13 ($18.99); Stellar’s Jay Sparkling ($21.99).
An elegant French Rosé is Chateau de l’Aumérade Cru Classé Cuvée Marie Christine ($28.88). From Italy, there are now Prosecco rosés such as Zago Brut ($29.99). From California, enjoy La Crema Sonoma ($36.99) and Bread and Butter ($21.99).
Pinot Noirs
A lively acid and low tannin wine mean a perfect Christmas wine! B.C. has many: See Ya Later ($20.99 VQA); Moraine ($25.99 VQA); Tinhorn Creek ($24.99); Meyer Family ($26.99 VQA). From California there’s La Crema Sonoma ($36.99) and Bread and Butter ($21.99).
Cabernet Franc
Choose Cab Franc rather than Cab Sauvignon as it has better acid and lower tannins. B.C. has Bordertown ($19.99); Black Sage ($27.99); Hester Creek Block 3 Reserve ($28.99). From France’s Loire, there’s Les Epinats Saumur ($22.99); Domaine de L’r le Canal Grands Pieces Chinon ($34.99).
Shiraz/Syrah
B.C. Shiraz/Syrah suggestions include Sunrock ( $29.99); Black Hills ($40.99); Painted Rock ($44.99); Bartier Bros ($30.99). From Australia, Peter Lehmann The Barossan ($18.49); Langmeil Barossa Shiraz ($29.99).
For a milder but delicious Aussie Shiraz blend try Torbreck Old Vines Barossa ($28.99), a blend of Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvèdre. It’s worth reaching for the French blend of Grenache and Syrah, Halos de Jupiter Cotes du Rhone ($20.99).
Legend: VQA = VQA wine stores; all other wines are in BCL Stores.
Make choosing wine for Christmas Dinner easy-peasy! Merry Christmas!
