If you don’t have a wide variety of wines on hand as a general rule, buying enough for the holidays with its parties, weekend guests, and the actual holidays, can end up being quite overwhelming. Breaking the shopping list down can help you organize your shopping and hunt for sales.
First, let’s think about cocktail parties and appetizer courses. These types of affairs generally feature salty, rich, small bites. Something refreshing to cleanse the palate and to also serve as a festive touch has “sparkling wine” written all over it.
Champagne is perfect with anything salty.
Zinfandel is great with patés, mousses, and terrines.
For full course dinners, the first courses will either be salads or soups. Both will take advantage of fall and winter produce: pears, winter squash, mushrooms, nuts, and other savory flavors will predominate.
Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with tart dressings.
Pinot Noir matches up with earthy dishes beautifully.
When it comes to the main course during the holidays, menus can vary widely. Here are some general wine and food notes:
Light fish dishes? Pinot Gris.
Fattier fish, or seafood in rich sauces are matched by buttery Chardonnay.
Sweet, spicy, or Asian-inspired dishes are balanced by Off-Dry Reislings.
Rich cheesy and creamy dishes are refreshed by a Rosé.
Earthy, mushroomy dishes match Pinot Noir’s earthiness.
Red meats and roasts? Cabernet Sauvignon, of course!
Highly spiced meats pair well with Syrah.
Spicy-sweet barbecue favors will not overpower Malbec.
And what’s a holiday meal without desserts? Whether fruit-based, chocolate, or creamy, there’s a wine that will highlight your final course.
Cream-based desserts are lovely with sparkling rosé.
Fruit desserts? Moscato d’Asti.
Chocolate desserts meld beautifully with ruby port.
If you already know most of the menus you’ll be serving, and how many guests you’re expecting, there’s a quick wine calculator over at VinePair that can help give you a general idea of how much wine you’ll need for the cocktail hours and the meal. It also helps you understand how the calculation was derived. After you have those numbers, and using the information in this article, you can begin buying for this season’s events.
Happy Holidays!
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