How to choose Wine for Christmas
Unless you are a wine connoisseur or have a family favorite that you serve year after year, choosing a wine for Christmas can be a daunting task. Here we offer you a few suggestions of what to try with your holiday meal.
Many people have absolutely no idea what type of wine they want to serve with their Christmas dinner and wine is one of those drinks that is as individual as the person drinking it. Everyone’s tastes vary when it comes to this particular spirit, which leaves you choosing your wine based on recommendations from other people and what experts say go well with the particular meat dish you are serving for the occasion.
Choosing a wine at Christmas time becomes even more difficult because there is no predominant course of flavor, something wine tasters and experts use to make their recommendation. So, what is a wine non-connoisseur supposed to do?
Rose and white wines
Start taste testing. When it comes to serving wine at Christmas dinner you are pretty much on your own and can go with something that soothes everyone’s palate. Experts have suggested serving what they refer to as ‘user-friendly’ wines, an inexpensive wine that seems to go well with just about anything you serve it with.
Rose and white Zinfandel’s are one of these ‘user-friendly’ wines and they are very good accompaniment to appetizers all the way through to dessert.
Other white wines that will go well Christmas dinner include Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, champagne, and sparkling wines, with the last two perking up well with desserts.
Red wines
If you prefer a red wine, you are going to have a little bit of trouble finding one that compliments your meal as well as a white wine. Some ‘user-friendly’ red wines include Chianti, Rhone, Beaujolais, Pinot Noir, and Merlot.
If you prefer a sweet wine with your meal, a red port is also a good option. There are families that allow the children a customary glass of wine with their Christmas meals and a sweet red port or even a kosher Maneschewitz is a good option to serve with your dinner.
White and red wines
Because everyone’s tastes vary, it is a good idea to serve a variety of wines so that you and your family can choose the flavor they prefer to compliment their meal.
A good white Zinfandel and a red Pinot Noir are probably the best choices for a Christmas dinner that is full of so many different flavors.
A nice bottle of port or Maneschewitz helps round out the selection and if you should happen to have family members that do not drink, offer them a sparkling white or red grape juice so that they do not feel left out if toasts are made all around.
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