Which wine should I drink on Christmas Eve?
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Which wine pairs with Christmas dinner? Find the answer here!
If there’s one time of the year when the question of wine arises the most, it’s undoubtedly in the lead-up to Christmas. Christmas is an important tradition for us Danes, and we do everything we can to make it as memorable and perfect as possible. A big part of the Christmas spirit is the food – and, of course, what we drink with it.
This brings us to the question we at Copenhagen Wine are most frequently asked: "Which wine should I drink with Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve?"
It’s a question without a single correct answer, as Christmas food is both complex and varied. With its combination of richness, sweetness, acidity, and salt, it places high demands on the wine to complement it. Here, we share our recommendations for what you can choose – whether the menu features duck, pork roast, turkey, or ris à la mande.
If the menu includes duck
Christmas duck with caramelized potatoes, duck gravy, and sweet accompaniments requires a wine that can balance the richness and sweetness of the meal. Here at Copenhagen Wine, we’re not big fans of Amarone – it’s often too heavy and alcohol-driven for this dish.
Instead, we recommend a wine with good acidity and depth to cleanse the palate between bites. Italian wines from Piedmont or Tuscany are excellent choices. An elegant Barolo or Brunello di Montalcino provides structure and balance to the dish. If you prefer something a little lighter, a Barbaresco or a Rosso di Montalcino are also fantastic options.
If pork roast is on the table
The pork roast with crispy crackling, gravy, and both sour and sweet accompaniments is a classic on the Christmas table. Here, we often recommend red wines with fresh acidity to cut through the richness and complement the many flavors.
Try, for instance, a Rosso di Montalcino or a young Barbaresco, whose fruitiness and acidity can balance the dish. If you’re feeling adventurous, a white wine with high acidity can also be an unconventional yet exciting choice for the pork roast.
If turkey is on the menu
Turkey isn’t as common as duck or pork roast in Denmark, but the lean bird poses different challenges for wine pairing. Here, a light and balanced Pinot Noir from Burgundy is an excellent choice, as its delicate character won’t overpower the turkey.
If you want to try something new, you can also serve an oak-aged white wine – for example, a Chardonnay from Burgundy or Italy. The rich flavor from the oak aging can complement the turkey beautifully.
And for ris à la mande?
No Christmas Eve is complete without ris à la mande. For this classic, port wine is an indispensable companion. A Vintage Port with its intense fruit pairs perfectly with the cherry sauce.
To close the evening, you can open a delicious aged port wine, which works excellently as a meditation wine for the final cozy moments of the evening.
What is the right Christmas wine for you?
There’s no single correct answer to the question of Christmas wine. It’s all about taste, traditions, and the dishes on the table. We hope our recommendations inspire you and make the choice a little easier.
At Copenhagen Wine, we love helping you find the perfect wine for your Christmas dinner. So don’t hesitate to contact us – we’re ready to guide you to make Christmas Eve absolutely perfect.
Merry Christmas from all of us to all of you wine lovers out there!
If there’s one time of the year when the question of wine arises the most, it’s undoubtedly in the lead-up to Christmas. Christmas is an important tradition for us Danes, and we do everything we can to make it as memorable and perfect as possible. A big part of the Christmas spirit is the food – and, of course, what we drink with it.
This brings us to the question we at Copenhagen Wine are most frequently asked: "Which wine should I drink with Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve?"
It’s a question without a single correct answer, as Christmas food is both complex and varied. With its combination of richness, sweetness, acidity, and salt, it places high demands on the wine to complement it. Here, we share our recommendations for what you can choose – whether the menu features duck, pork roast, turkey, or ris à la mande.
If the menu includes duck
Christmas duck with caramelized potatoes, duck gravy, and sweet accompaniments requires a wine that can balance the richness and sweetness of the meal. Here at Copenhagen Wine, we’re not big fans of Amarone – it’s often too heavy and alcohol-driven for this dish.
Instead, we recommend a wine with good acidity and depth to cleanse the palate between bites. Italian wines from Piedmont or Tuscany are excellent choices. An elegant Barolo or Brunello di Montalcino provides structure and balance to the dish. If you prefer something a little lighter, a Barbaresco or a Rosso di Montalcino are also fantastic options.
If pork roast is on the table
The pork roast with crispy crackling, gravy, and both sour and sweet accompaniments is a classic on the Christmas table. Here, we often recommend red wines with fresh acidity to cut through the richness and complement the many flavors.
Try, for instance, a Rosso di Montalcino or a young Barbaresco, whose fruitiness and acidity can balance the dish. If you’re feeling adventurous, a white wine with high acidity can also be an unconventional yet exciting choice for the pork roast.
If turkey is on the menu
Turkey isn’t as common as duck or pork roast in Denmark, but the lean bird poses different challenges for wine pairing. Here, a light and balanced Pinot Noir from Burgundy is an excellent choice, as its delicate character won’t overpower the turkey.
If you want to try something new, you can also serve an oak-aged white wine – for example, a Chardonnay from Burgundy or Italy. The rich flavor from the oak aging can complement the turkey beautifully.
And for ris à la mande?
No Christmas Eve is complete without ris à la mande. For this classic, port wine is an indispensable companion. A Vintage Port with its intense fruit pairs perfectly with the cherry sauce.
To close the evening, you can open a delicious aged port wine, which works excellently as a meditation wine for the final cozy moments of the evening.
What is the right Christmas wine for you?
There’s no single correct answer to the question of Christmas wine. It’s all about taste, traditions, and the dishes on the table. We hope our recommendations inspire you and make the choice a little easier.
At Copenhagen Wine, we love helping you find the perfect wine for your Christmas dinner. So don’t hesitate to contact us – we’re ready to guide you to make Christmas Eve absolutely perfect.
Merry Christmas from all of us to all of you wine lovers out there!