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The holiday season brings with it a sense of warmth, joy, and togetherness—and nothing ties a Christmas dinner together quite like the perfect wine. Whether the highlight of your feast is golden roast turkey or tamales, mashed potatoes or aloo gobi, yule log or panettone, choosing the right Christmas wine can transform your meal into a memorable experience.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about choosing the best wines for Christmas dinner. From our favorite reds, whites, rosés, and bubbles to a handy shopping sheet for pairing wines with both classic and global dishes, this guide will help you host with confidence—and pour a little extra magic into every glass.
Christmas and Wine Quick Tips
Before we dive into specific varietals, here are five expert tips to help you choose the best wines for your Christmas dinner:
- Light with Light, Bold with Bold: Match the intensity of your wine with the dish. Lighter meats like turkey pair better with medium-bodied wines like Pinot Noir, while bold red meats like prime rib can handle more robust reds like Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Acidity Balances Richness: Hearty holiday fare—like stuffing, mashed potatoes, and creamy casseroles—calls for wines with acidity, like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Noir, to cut through the richness and keep your palate refreshed.
- Sweet + Spice Makes Everything Nice: If your dish has a hint of sweetness or spice, like glazed ham or sweet potatoes, opt for a wine with a touch of residual sugar, like Riesling.
- Versatility is Your Friend: When serving a diverse menu, choose wines like Pinot Gris or rosé that pair well with a wide range of flavors.
- Don’t Forget the Bubbles: Sparkling wines aren’t just festive but incredibly versatile, elevating everything from appetizers to desserts.
Why Wine Pairing is Essential for a Perfect Christmas Dinner
Wine pairing is like finding the perfect dance partner for your meal. Each step—or sip—complements the other, creating a seamless experience. The right wine dances in step with your Christmas dishes by enhancing flavors, adding contrast, and balancing richness. A crisp Sauvignon Blanc can sashay through buttery mashed potatoes, while a lush Merlot tangos with the savory depth of roast meats. Sweet wines can waltz gracefully through the bold spices of a dish or glide effortlessly alongside decadent desserts.
On the flip side, without the right partner, the dance—er, meal—can feel out of sync. You want to be careful to not serve a bold or a heavily oaked wine with a delicate dish because the wine will overpower it. Similarly, avoid serving a very dry wine with a sweet dessert, which will make the wine seem tart and astringent. Luckily, with a bit of know-how, you can gracefully avoid these stumbles and make every sip and bite jive in perfect rhythm.
The Best Red Wines for Christmas Dinner
Red wines add warmth and depth to chilly holiday evenings and hearty main courses. Here are our top picks and their ideal pairings:
Cabernet Sauvignon
A classic Christmas choice, Cabernet Sauvignon's bold blackberry flavor and hint of oak pair wonderfully with classic dishes like prime rib or lamb, or even a non-traditional platter of beef vindaloo or tandoori lamb chops. Cabernet’s firm tannins and oak-driven complexity enrich roasted dishes, herb-infused gravies, and smoky, charred flavors.
Pinot Noir
If turkey and wine is your Christmas tradition, Pinot Noir is one of the best wine pairings. Its light body, bright acidity, and earthy undertones complement the meat’s savory flavors and all the classic sides—stuffing, cranberry sauce, roasted veggies—you name it. If you serve mild or vegetarian tamales or Peking duck at Christmas, Pinot Noir’s earthy, umami notes will complement the rich, savory masa in the former and the crispy skin of the latter.
Merlot
Merlot is velvety, round, and fruit-forward—perfect for guests who enjoy a smoother red wine. It pairs effortlessly with everything from classic glazed ham and roast duck to the more adventurous coq au vin and beef rendang. Its ripe dark fruit flavors and mellow tannins make it versatile and easy to love.
Zinfandel
It brings spice, jammy raspberry and plum fruit, and a touch of boldness that stands up to intensely flavored dishes like glazed meats, smoky ribs, BBQ-inspired holiday sides, and spicy sausage stuffing. If you’re serving beef or pork-filled tamales that have a bit of spice, Zinfandel is also your friend.
Shop Best Selling Red Wines from Kendall-Jackson
The Best White Wines for Christmas
White wines brighten the rich dishes of your Christmas feast and complement lighter sides. Stock up on these four picks:
Chardonnay
With its creamy texture and notes of apple, pear, and baking spice, Chardonnay shines with buttered lobster, roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, and buttery rolls. Opt for one with a touch of oak for a fuller-bodied option. If you’re whipping up something more exotic for your feast like seafood paella or sashimi, you’ll want to reach for a crisp, unoaked Chardonnay.
Sauvignon Blanc
Zippy and herbaceous, Sauvignon Blanc adds vibrancy to green dishes, herb-roasted turkey, and goat cheese-based sides or tarts. If you’re planning a vegetarian menu, Sauvignon Blanc pairs beautifully with dishes like aloo gobi, steamed vegetable dumplings, and vegetarian sushi rolls. It’s one of the best wines for Christmas dinner when you need something crisp and palate-cleansing.
Riesling
Riesling’s gentle sweetness, crisp acidity, and floral aromas make it a versatile choice for both savory and spicy dishes. It pairs superbly with everything from classic spiced ham to the more exotic duck à l’orange—and because sweet wines complement sweet flavors, Riesling is also a lovely way to end the meal alongside dessert.
Pinot Gris
A crisp, citrusy Pinot Gris complements seafood starters, a mezze platter, roasted vegetables, and sweet glazes. Its lively acidity and clean finish make it a refreshing choice from appetizers to mains.
Shop Best Selling White Wines from Kendall-Jackson
Rosé and Sparkling Wines: Festive Crowd-Pleasers
These two wine styles are the secret weapons of any holiday host. They're versatile, celebratory, and sure to please everyone at the table.
Rosé
Dry rosé bridges the gap between red and white, offering bright red fruit flavors with a clean, refreshing finish. It’s fantastic with baked ham, charcuterie boards, roasted poultry, or even lighter desserts like fruit tarts or a berry pavlova.
Sparkling Wine
Bubbles are the MVP of holiday wines. Their effervescence and notes of citrus and brioche make them an ideal match for appetizers, pâté, oysters, fried sides, and light desserts like a yule log. Plus, fizz turns every moment into a celebration.
Cheat Sheet: Pairing Wine with Christmas Dishes
| Dish | Wine Pairing |
|---|---|
| Prime Rib | Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel |
| Glazed Ham | Riesling, Merlot, Zinfandel, or Rosé |
| Turkey | Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, or Sauvignon Blanc |
| Mashed Potatoes | Chardonnay or Pinot Gris |
| Yule Log | Lightly Sweet Riesling or Sparkling Wine |
| Charcuterie & Cheese Boards | Rosé, Pinot Noir, or Sparkling Wine |
| Tamales (Mexico) | Pinot Noir (vegetarian) or Zinfandel (meat) |
| Biryani (India) | Riesling |
| Sushi (Japan) | Sparkling Wine or Sauvignon Blanc |
| Lebanese Mezze Platter | Chenin Blanc or Pinot Gris |
| Peking Duck (China) | Pinot Noir |
| Panettone (Italy) | Sparkling Wine |
Make Christmas Memorable with Kendall-Jackson
This Christmas, let Kendall-Jackson be a part of your most cherished traditions, both old and new. Our wide portfolio of reds, whites, rosés, and sparkling wines offers something for every dish—classic or international—and every guest. Skip the grocery store run and use our cheat sheet to order your wines directly from our online wine store. We’ll deliver your favorites straight to your door in time for the holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best all-around wine for Christmas?
Pinot Noir is versatile and pairs well with a variety of dishes, making it an excellent all-around choice.
Should I serve different wines for each course or the same wine for all?
While it’s not necessary, serving different wines can elevate individual courses. A sparkling, rosé, or white wine for starters, a red with the main course, and a dessert wine to finish is always a hit. Offering a variety also allows guests to explore different flavors and find their personal favorite pairings.
How many bottles of wine should I buy for Christmas dinner?
A good rule of thumb is one bottle for every two guests, especially if you’re offering multiple wines.
