Holiday Wine Pairings & Gifting Guide: What to Pour, Serve, and Give This Season
Holiday meals are full of different dishes, so you don’t need a perfect wine for each one. You need a few bottles that work with almost everything. The simple version: have a sparkling wine, a crisp or creamy white, a versatile red, and something sweet for dessert, and you’re covered.
What Wine Goes With Holiday Dinner?
Choose wines with bright acidity and plenty of fruit. They work with rich sides, salty meats and sweet glazes without taking over the meal. If you’re only buying a few bottles, start with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and a sparkling wine.
Quick Holiday Wine Pairing Chart
Roast Turkey → Pinot Noir Its light body and red fruit complement lean meat and cranberry.
Honey-Glazed Ham → Riesling or Rosé A touch of sweetness matches the glaze, and the acidity cuts the salt.
Prime Rib or Beef Roast → Cabernet Sauvignon Firm tannins stand up to rich, savory beef.
Mashed Potatoes & Gravy → Chardonnay Its creamy texture matches creamy sides.
Seafood & Salmon → Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay Choose fresh acidity or a rounder body, depending on the dish.
Appetizers & Cheese Boards → Sparkling Wine Bubbles refresh your palate between bites.
Pie & Holiday Desserts → Moscato or Dessert Wine Pick a wine that’s sweeter than the dessert.
Best Wine for Thanksgiving Dinner
Thanksgiving tables usually have turkey, stuffing, cranberry and sweet potatoes all at once. Pinot Noir is the classic choice because it’s light enough for turkey and fruity enough for cranberry sauce. For a white, Chardonnay goes well with the buttery sides. Not sure what everyone likes? Set out both and let guests choose.
Best Wine for Christmas Dinner
Christmas menus tend to be richer. If you’re serving prime rib or beef tenderloin, pour a bold Cabernet Sauvignon. If it’s glazed ham, go with a lightly sweet Riesling or a dry rosé. Open a bottle of sparkling wine when guests arrive. It starts the night on a festive note and pairs with almost any appetizer.
Sparkling Wine for New Year’s Eve
You don’t need to spend a lot to toast at midnight. Prosecco is fruity and easy to like, Brut is drier and pairs well with salty snacks, and sparkling rosé looks great in the glass. Plan on about one bottle for every five or six guests for the toast.
Non-Alcoholic Wine for the Holidays
Plenty of guests are skipping alcohol, whether they’re sober-curious, driving, pregnant, or just pacing themselves. Alcohol-removed wine lets them join in the toast and still enjoy a wine pairing. Alcohol-removed sparkling wine and reds work especially well at the holiday table.
Holiday Wine Gift Ideas
The best wine gifts suit how the person actually drinks. A few easy approaches:
- For the host: A bottle they’d enjoy later, with no pressure to open it that night
- For the wine lover: A varietal they love from a region they haven’t tried yet
- For coworkers and clients: Reliable crowd-pleasers in a gift box
- For the person who has everything: A wine club membership
- For guests who don’t drink: A premium non-alcoholic sparkling wine
Holiday Hosting Tips
- How much wine to buy: About one bottle for every two guests at dinner
- Serving temperature: Chill whites and sparkling wine well. Give reds about 15 minutes in the fridge before serving.
- Keep it simple: Two or three versatile bottles beat a dozen one-off pairings
