Wines for Christmas Eve. A combination of tradition and taste

Christmas is a time of peace, contemplation and celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. However, Christmas is also a time of family traditions and, most importantly, delicious food. Every good host should know what wine to choose with good food, so that we can enrich these precious moments even more. The choice of wine depends on the specific dishes you plan to serve, as well as the personal preferences of your guests.

Wine with fish

Traditional dishes on the Christmas Eve table are fish, most often carp. They are accompanied by white wine, which emphasizes the delicate taste of fish meat. An excellent choice is, for example, Riesling or Chardonnay, which are sufficiently aromatic and have a fresh taste.

Wine with vegetable dishes

For vegetarian and vegetable dishes, such as salads or vegetable strudels, lighter white wines are ideal. Sauvignon Blanc or a light Pinot Grigio are excellent companions for these dishes, as their acidity nicely balances the flavor of the vegetables.

Wine for desserts

For desserts like walnut roulades, gingerbread, or Christmas Eve toasts, reach for sweet wines. Tokaj selections or sweet Riesling selections are great choices. Their sweetness and rich aroma will perfectly complement the taste of these traditional sweets.

Wine as an aperitif

It is also a good idea to serve an aperitif before dinner. Typically, a dry sparkling wine, such as Prosecco or a light Brut, is chosen to prepare the taste buds for the upcoming feast.

Wine for heavy meals

Red wines can also be a great match for a Christmas dinner, especially if there are dishes on your Christmas table that pair well with their flavor profiles. In general, red wines are best paired with meaty or higher-fat dishes, where their more robust structure and tannins can nicely balance the flavors of the food.

If you plan to serve roast meats or dishes with darker sauces for Christmas dinner, you can go for medium-bodied to full-bodied red wines, such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Pinot Noir. These wines have enough flavor intensity and structure to stand up to stronger dishes.

For lighter dishes, such as traditional Christmas sausages or game specialties, a lighter red wine, such as Gamay or a younger Pinot Noir, may be a suitable choice.

The choice of wine is of course very individual and depends on many factors, including the personal preferences of your guests. It is important that the wine complements the food while allowing everyone present to enjoy the peace and joy of the Christmas Eve table.