Christmas Dinner Wine Matching: A Complete Guide for Hospitality Venues

The festive season is one of the busiest times of the year for hospitality, and nothing elevates a Christmas meal like a perfect wine pairing. A thoughtful wine selection not only enhances the customer’s dining experience but also drives revenue through by-the-glass sales, adding wine flights and bottle upsells.

Putting together a range of sparkling, white, red and even dessert wines to meet each customer’s need will help empower your front of house team to know exactly what to recommend. As customer confidence grows with your team’s guidance, it often results in higher spending on your wine offerings.

The Gerrard Seel Team have suggested some options for your festive list below with fantastic wines across different budgets and offering your guests a range of exciting new wines to sample over the season. You can of course, use some or all of your current listings therefore reducing waste, keeping stock lines low and providing consistency but still optimising the customer’s experience.

So where better to start your list than a glass of fizz?! We all use these as an aperitif, but an approachable and fresh Prosecco pairs with brilliantly with shellfish, fish and fried dishes. Or try a premium upsell by adding Champagne as an option, adding elegance and complexity.

Sparkling

A range of classic white wines will make sure you can food match your festive menu. Sauvignon Blanc’s acidity balances fish dishes as well as the nuttiness of Brussel sprouts, bringing a sweetness to the seasonal vegetable. A well-rounded Chardonnay works beautifully with goats cheese and fish pates starters and is a perfect option for the main showstopper itself, traditional roast turkey. The delicate white meat won’t get overpowered by the gentle fruit of Chardonnay and a slightly oaked option can add a buttery, smoky complexity to the dish. For something a little different why not try a Viognier? Not only does it have a rich and full mouth feel, but the lower acidity also matches with the richness of gravy, and its floral notes lift the herby stuffing. Chenin Blanc also has a fuller body but unlike Viognier has crisper acidity to give a freshness across the plate of a roast dinner. Both wines are also great for vegetarian and nut roast options.

Chardonnay

Or any from our Burgundy List

Sauvignon Blanc

Chenin Blanc

Viognier

When it comes to red wines Pinot Noir is a must have. Low tannins and high acidity, bright red fruit but with subtle earthiness, Pinot Noir compliments both the lighter meats of turkey and ham without leaving the mouth dry. Its also a good choice for heavier starters, working great with meat pates and mushroom-based dishes. If you are offering a red meat dish on your menu like beef or lamb, then you will need a wine with structure and bigger tannins to match the depth of these dishes and balance the richer flavours, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are both excellent options. All these wines are also great for dried fruit desserts like Christmas pudding and mince pies with flavours matching the dishes. Ripasso, or a more premium sell of Amarone, add a dried fruit sweetness which work perfectly with a chocolate and of course any of these red wines with cheese will be great.

Pinot Noir

Or any from our Burgundy List

Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot

Ripasso/Amarone

Desserts and cheeses can also be complimented by something sweeter, and we have a great range from Sparkling Moscato, Sauternes and Port to offer your guests something different to finish their dining experience.

Sweet and Fortified

If you need help putting together your own wine options for December do not hesitate to get in touch with our expert team to give your guests a truly memorable festive dining experience.

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