What are some wines that pair well with traditional holiday appetizers?
I recently paired and led a private wine and food pairing. I had the menu from the caterer, as well as the budget and flavor profile (she disliked Chardonnays) from the host. She had some “traditional” appetizers, however, she didn’t want a traditional pairing. She wanted her event to stand out, and so did I. Here’s an example:
Cheese, crackers, dried fruits and nuts can be paired simply with your preferred Champagne or sparkling wine. It’s celebratory to greet your guests with a flute of something bubbly while they nibble. Out of the box, and to pair well with cheese and fruit would be a Viognier; which is a white Rhone with hints of stone fruits like apricot.
If your appetizers include curried chicken try a sparkling Sake or Gewürztraminer, shrimp cocktail works with a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, and stuffed mushrooms may be enhanced with an Oregon Pinot Noir.
What are some general guidelines when pairing wine with main holiday courses like turkey, roast beef and ham?
Pinot Noir, a lighter red with cherry notes, is a common go-to wine pairing for lean meats as well as ham. A fuller bodied Pinot Noir also pairs well with game birds. In my own home we always have a Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc and/or a Chardonnay on the table because that is what some diners prefer. Remember, while one palate may want red wine with red meat, another diner may prefer what Clos Pepe winemaker Wes Hagen refers to as “a wet-nap for the mouth” between courses.
What wines would you suggest for pairing with holiday desserts?
A local assemblyman messaged me asking how to wow a group with a holiday wine pairing where he planned to bring a fruit pie. I asked him how much he would like to think “out of the box” of a typical pairing. He was intrigued and later reported back that it went splendidly. This is what I suggested:
Instead of having your pie with wine, leave the pie out and bring a dessert or late harvest wine with Stilton bleu cheese. It’s an amazing pairing, one that truly shows how food can change with wine.
With this said, a typical wine for dessert could be one of these dessert wines, or, as it’s a celebration the one wine that goes with everything: Champagne! If you are serving something chocolaty consider a Port, Shiraz or Zinfandel. These will please your red wine guests.
What are some suggested pairings with Champagne for the New Year?
Over and over again I’ve read that Champagne can stand up to any food. Almost every appetizer can be paired with it: canapés, shellfish, caviar, sushi, smoked salmon, and my favorite is popcorn. And finally, a strawberry at the bottom of a glass is a festive finish to the year.
Eve Bushman has been reading, writing, taking coursework and tasting wine for over 20 years. She has obtained a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, has been the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and recently served as a guest judge for the L.A. International Wine Competition. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits that may be answered in a future column. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com