Christmas Food & Wine Pairing Guide

Christmas is coming, which means one thing: great food, generous pours and absolutely no shortage of reasons to open another bottle.

From seafood starters and traditional turkey to glazed ham, roast lamb and festive desserts, Christmas dinner brings a lot of flavours to the table. The trick is finding wines that can keep up.

So, here’s our guide to some of our favourite Christmas food and wine pairings, perfect for festive lunches, dinners, brunches and whatever other Christmas “munches” you find yourself at.

Christmas Starters & Wine Pairings

Classic Prawn Cocktail

Retro? Absolutely. Still delicious? Without question.

Juicy prawns, creamy Marie Rose sauce and a little acidity make this a classic Christmas starter for good reason.

Wine pairing: Sparkling wine

Bubbles are your best friend here. Sparkling wine brings freshness and acidity while its palate-cleansing character helps cut through the richness of the cocktail sauce. Champagne, Cava, Prosecco or another quality sparkling wine can all work beautifully.

Smoked Salmon with Horseradish Crème Fraîche & Beetroot

Smoked salmon is another festive favourite, particularly when you want to keep things light before the main event.

The combination of smoky, oily fish, tangy crème fraîche, earthy beetroot and horseradish needs a wine with plenty of freshness.

Wine pairing: Young, unoaked Chablis

Chablis brings clean acidity and a crisp, mineral character that refreshes the palate and balances the richness of the salmon. The acidity also works nicely with the tang of the crème fraîche.

Christmas Main Courses & Wine Pairings

Pancetta & Roasted Shallot-Stuffed Turkey

Turkey is the traditional Christmas centrepiece for many tables, but stuffing it with roasted shallots, lemon and thyme, then adding pancetta under the skin, takes things up a notch.

Wine pairing: Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is a reliable partner for turkey and savoury Christmas sides. Its acidity keeps the palate fresh, while its herbal and citrus notes complement lemon, thyme and other green herbs in the dish.

Lemon & Herb Roast Chicken

Simple, comforting and seriously tasty, lemon and herb roast chicken is a Christmas winner — especially when served with a fresh salad.

Wine pairing: Beaujolais

A juicy Beaujolais Villages or Cru Beaujolais brings bright fruit, freshness and enough savoury character to complement the chicken without overpowering it.

Traditional Honey-Glazed Christmas Gammon

Sweet, sticky, salty and wonderfully festive, honey-glazed gammon is practically begging for a wine with enough acidity and fruit to keep things balanced.

Wine pairing: Sangiovese

Sangiovese's vibrant acidity and red-fruit character make it a great match for the fatty richness and sweetness of glazed ham. Add cranberry sauce to the plate, and the combination gets even better.

Roast Lamb with Pomegranate Glaze

Slow-roasted lamb and pomegranate are a seriously good combination: rich, earthy meat meets bright, tangy fruit.

Wine pairing: Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir works because it brings acidity, red fruit and earthy complexity without overwhelming the lamb. Its freshness lifts the richness of the meat, while the fruit plays beautifully with the pomegranate glaze.

Beef Wellington

Beef Wellington is one of those dishes that demands attention. Alongside the beef tenderloin, you're also dealing with puff pastry, mushrooms, butter, pâté and mustard.

Wine pairing: Medium- to full-bodied Bordeaux blend

The best match needs enough structure and depth for the beef while having the complexity to work with the mushroom duxelles and other rich components.

A classic Bordeaux blend, from either the Old or New World, is a particularly strong choice.

Christmas Desserts & Wine Pairings

Mince Pies

Christmas simply wouldn't feel complete without mince pies.

Wine pairing: Port

Ruby Port offers vibrant, fruity flavours that complement the dried fruit in the pies, while Tawny Port brings additional dried-fruit, caramel and nutty notes. If your mince pies contain nuts, Tawny is especially delicious.

Christmas Cake

Rich, fruity and unapologetically festive, Christmas cake is not exactly a lightweight dessert.

Wine pairing: Brandy

By the time the Christmas cake arrives, everyone may already be reaching for another slice — or planning what to take home. At this point, why complicate things? A little Brandy alongside the cake keeps the festive spirit going.

Fruity Christmas Trifle

Custard, cream, sponge, jelly and plenty of berries — perhaps with a splash of Sherry for good measure.

Trifle can be tricky to pair because every recipe is slightly different. Some are light and creamy, while others are richer and more intensely flavoured.

Wine pairing: Dry, juicy Rosé

A fresh, fruit-driven Rosé works particularly well when berries are part of the picture. Its acidity keeps the pairing lively rather than overly sweet or heavy.

Quick Christmas Wine Pairing Cheat Sheet

The Golden Rule of Christmas Wine Pairing

Christmas dinner isn't about finding one perfect wine. It's about choosing wines that work with the food, keep the table interesting and — most importantly — make everyone want another glass.

When in doubt, look for freshness, acidity, fruit and balance. These qualities make wines much more versatile when you're dealing with a table packed with different flavours.

And remember: Christmas is supposed to be fun. Don't get too caught up in the rules. If your favourite wine tastes fantastic with your favourite Christmas dish, that's a successful pairing.

After putting this list together, we're already hungry — and considerably more thirsty.

So, from all of us at The Flying Winemaker, have a wonderful Christmas, eat generously, pour generously, and enjoy every delicious moment.

Merry Christmas!

FAQs

What is the best wine for Christmas dinner?

There isn't one universal answer. Sauvignon Blanc works well with turkey, Pinot Noir with lamb, Bordeaux blends with Beef Wellington, and sparkling wine is excellent with seafood starters.

What wine goes with turkey?

Sauvignon Blanc is a versatile choice for turkey, particularly when the meal includes lemon, herbs and savoury side dishes.

What wine goes with Christmas ham?

Sangiovese is a good match for honey-glazed ham because its acidity and red-fruit character balance the meat's salty, fatty and sweet flavours.

What wine goes with mince pies?

Port is a classic pairing for mince pies. Ruby Port highlights the fruit, while Tawny Port works particularly well with nutty or richer mince pies.

What wine goes with roast lamb?

Pinot Noir is an excellent choice for roast lamb, particularly when the dish includes fruit-based elements such as pomegranate. Its acidity and bright fruit help balance the richness of the meat.

What wine pairs best with Christmas food?

The best Christmas wine depends on the dish: sparkling wine works beautifully with seafood starters, Sauvignon Blanc with turkey, Pinot Noir with lamb, Bordeaux blends with Beef Wellington, and Port with mince pies. For a festive table with lots of different flavours, choose wines with good acidity, freshness and food-friendly versatility.