The Best Holiday Wine Pairings
Spirits of Norway Vineyard Holiday Wine Pairing Guide
TURKEY PAIRINGS
Here in the U. S. turkey has practically become synonymous with Holiday feasts, mainly focused around Thanksgiving, Christmas, Passover, and Easter celebrations. Being such a staple in so many homes during the holiday’s means that it should be one that most people should be able to pair wine with. Luckily there is a wide range of wine styles that pair well with turkey. Our first selection is our Chardonel. This off-dry medium bodied wine displays its alluring and unique aromas and flavors of apples, fresh ripe pears, hints of toasty oak with a light crisp citrus finish.
Our second suggestion is a new release called Julie Anne which is made from the esteemed Gewurztraminer grape. This spirited variety has delicate floral aromatics reminiscent of rose petals. This off-dry favorite is perfectly balanced between acidity and a gentle touch of sweetness.
HAM PAIRINGS
Many homes will find ham on their table for either Christmas or Easter. Often salty and sweet, pairing ham with a medium-bodied red is one direction to take. We suggest our Old Vine Zinfandel that is produced from vines ranging in age from 60 to 80 years old. Those old vines produce an intense and flavorful wine with tasting notes of raspberries, peppercorn, dried herbs and vanilla followed by a soft spice finish.
A blend we call The Trio could work very well here. This upscale blend Features Australian Grenache and Shiraz combined with California Tannat creating this plush, charismatic blend. This gorgeous garnet-colored, medium-bodied red, layers delicious dark fruit and red berries with complex notes of vanilla.
ROASTED BEEF PAIRINGS
There are several cuts of beef that different cultures will serve for the holidays like a prime rib or a slow roasted brisket. Here is where bigger red wines are going to shine at the dinner table. Wind of Change is our two thumbs up choice. Made from the Nebbiolo grapes that hail from northern Italy’s Piedmont region, this full-bodied big red has striking notes of cherry, coffee, anise and primordial earth tones.
Batting second in this big juicy meat category is our Noble Reserva. Made from the Tempranillo grapes which happen to be the sixth noblest grapes of the world. This deep, dark red boasts a smooth lingering finish offering up more fruit, jammy flavors like blackcurrants, cherry and expect to taste notes of cedar, tobacco, and cloves on the finish.
SEAFOOD PAIRINGS
Popular seafood options for your holiday feast include surf & turf, baked cod, seared scallops, jumbo shrimp scampi, and grilled salmon. What type of seafood and how it is prepared are going to be the driving forces behind what kind of wine you would want to pair with it. Our safest suggestion that will appeal to the masses is our award winning Pure Prairie. Made from the American Seyval Blanc grapes, this semi-dry to off-sweet is a great choice. Refresh your palate with aromas of prairie grass and flavors of ripe pear, crisp citrus, green apple, hay, honeydew melon and a hint of honey will wrap this wine around your seafood offering.
Domaine du Chateau is also an awesome seafood pairing wine. This elegant, off-dry white wine features a delectable harmony of citrus, apple, and fresh ripe pear. Domaine du Chateau earned a prestigious Double Gold Medal in the 2021 Jefferson Cup Invitational Wine Competition.