The holidays are here and with it comes some of the most anticipated dinners of the year. Only one question remains: what should you drink? We’re here to help.
Here are a few traditional dishes that are commonly served during the most wonderful time of the year. But just remember, if this pairing stuff is just too much to think about, remember the ultimate rule when pairing is simple: Drink the wine you like with the food you like. It doesn’t have to be any more complicated than that!
Holiday Ham (Pork)
Whether you are making a sweet glazed ham or something with a little more spice, we have the perfect wine for you and your family. If you are making a sweeter ham using ingredients like honey and brown sugar, try a wine like Prairie Blush or Blushing Rose. These blushes offer a crisp sweetness that complements the ham wonderfully. If the ham is smoked or is more on the spicy side, try to go with a red, such as Prairie Sunburst or Carignan. Prairie Sunburst offers bright fruit notes that pair nicely with the spice, while Carignan complements with its notes of nutmeg and cherry.
Roasted Duck (Poultry)
No matter if you are roasting a duck or enjoying our Christmas Duck Cassoulet from our latest Wine & Dine Kit, these wines will accompany your meal beautifully. Chardonnay is our choice for a nice white to accompany the silky fat and wild flavor of a quality duck. If you’re looking for a red, the finesse in our Pinot Noir complements the qualities of duck in this delicious holiday pairing.
Prime Rib (Beef)
If you are making Prime Rib, Beef Wellington, or perhaps some Venison, there are some delicious wines to pair with your meal. Carignan works well with this dish as well, but if you are really looking to class up the pairing, try Domaine Reserve. Both wines have bold palates that can stand up to a hearty piece of beef and its accoutrements. If you are a collector of Domaine Reserve, we’d recommend going with a 2016 vintage or older. Click here to see our updated Domaine Reserve vintage chart.
Traditional Turkey (Poultry)
Didn’t get enough Turkey at Thanksgiving? Us either. If you are enjoying a traditional turkey this holiday, we have some tried and true pairing suggestions for this classic meal. Ruby Nouveau is a perfect choice for this dish. Being a light and easy-going Wisconsin grown red, this wine won’t overpower the light or dark meat of the turkey. Rosé is an excellent blush option for this meal, as the crisp currant notes uplift any lean meat and its seasonings.
Are you making something not listed here or do you want to learn more great pairings for your favorite Wollersheim wines? Click here to visit our Food and Wine Pairing tool.
Still stuck? The final rule of holiday wine pairing in Wisconsin is even easier than the first rule: When in doubt, bring the Prairie Fumé out.
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Happy Holidays from Wollersheim Winery, Distillery, and Bistro.
