Christmas is coming.. Can you feel it? That sensation that the family is coming together once again, that you are going to be eating for three or four during two days in a row, Christmas presents and souvenirs are popping up from everywhere, and of course, wine is going to be one of the main highlights of the meals. And why is that? Because we all know that it’s during Christmas that we all go to our cellar to bring up that Christmas wines we have been keeping for a special occasion. Well, guess that occasion has arrived.
But even if most of us know what to present at the Christmas dinner table, here’s some advice for those who still have some doubts.
Red, White, Rosé or Sparkling?
You must be wondering the reason behind my post. Even may think “How can someone select only 6 wines for such a special occasion?”. Well, acutlly the idea is just to suggest some of the top wines that I find would be great for this day, either you want to offer it as a gift or bring it to your Family’s Christmas table.
My answer is simple, a Sparkling wine to start the fest with something that we do not drink every day. It will surely leave a smile on everyone’s faces. Afterward, you choose the more convenient the food you choose. Depending on your personal taste and the dish you are planning to do on this special occasion, the wine will follow. And, surely it will follow really well. And don’t forget about the Mulled Wine, always a plus in this time of the year, mainly if you are feeling cold whatever you are!
Christmas wines: Keep it OUT OF THE BOX
Choose a rosé wine. Finally, Rosé is being recognized as an excellent option that combines with a huge variety of dishes. Depending on your meal choice for Christmas, I suggest a good rosé wine to impress. Rosé wines are a perfect solution for a refreshing wine that transmits a feeling of elegance and luxury. Besides, it is a great decoration for any Christmas table due to its beautiful color.
You can either go for the most known Rosés like Tavel, Costières de Nîmes or keep it even more unique and go for organic rosé wine. In this second option, I definitely recommend one from Courelas da Torre that makes my mouth melt every time I give it a taste. It is a Portuguese wine from a small organic wine producer that has really gained my heart, but I recommend you to see it by yourself
Rosé wines are just an excellent mix of white and red wines. It is often our choice when we do not really know what to serve if the dish requires a stronger or fresher taste. However, I doubt that only one bottle will be drunk at the Christmas table. So you can find below other suggestions for all tastes, that will make you shine with your family members.
Top 6 Christmas wines suggestions
A lot of great wines go with a lot of different dishes. In fact, Portugal has exceptional wines from 13 different wine regions. However, here are some amazing wine bottles that may turn your Christmas evening, or day, even more special.
1 |QUINTA DE VENTEZELO (2015)
The 2015 Quinta de Ventezelo harvest brought this amazing Christmas wines suggestion. The Ventezelo red wine to the world. It is fresh, and quite young even though it presents a high alcoholic volume, namely a 13.5 strength. Its aroma to wild berry, violets, and cherries has a slight intensity, which keeps the wine clean and fresh. This irreverent, medium-sized bodied transmits fineness and irreverence.
Ideal dishes to go along: Beaf, pasta, lamb and game meat
Average price: 10€ | Wine grapes variety: Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional
2 |SERRAS DE AZEITÃO (2008)
A Red wine from Península de Setúbal, produced by Bacalhôa winery. Made from Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional, Aragonez. Bold tannic and dry. This wine needs some time for opening so it can smooth a little. Its aromas are made of cherries and wild berries, as most wines. But since it rested in oak for a while, it has a short taste of oak as well. The wine combines wonderfully with beef, pasta, or any other poultry or veal.
Ideal dishes to go along: Beaf, lamb, calf and birds
Average price: 10€ | Wine grapes variety: Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional, Aragonez
3 |PAPA FIGOS (2017)
The third suggestion for our Christmas wines is Papa Figos. This wine won its name from a very rare species of bird found in the Douro valley called a golden oriole (In Portuguese, Papa Figos). From Casa da Figueirinha wine producer, the wine combines really well with a family nice lunch or for any other special occasions. This ruby-red wine, with an aroma of fresh red fruits and balsamic. combines really well with both gish, meat, and white meat, making it ideal for any dish you are planning for this Christmas!
Ideal dishes to go along: Beaf, pasta, lamb and game meat
Average price: 13€ | Wine grapes variety: Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz
4 |ESPORÃO RESERVA (2017)
This wine, named by its winery, was the first wine produced by the winery in 1985. It was born from our desire to produce the best wines in Alentejo. Art accompanies Esporão Reserva from the first moment. Every year we invite a new artist to illustrate our labels and each work tells a story that is completed within. With an intense ruby red color, Esporão Reserva 2017 wine has an intense aroma of wild berries, blueberries and coffee. In the mouth, it is a full-bodied, quite intense, and robust flavor. Its complexity favors the aging in the bottle which is not often seen with other wines.
Ideal dishes to go along: Beaf, lamb, calf and birds
Average price: 15€ | Wine grapes variety: Alicante Bouschet, Aragonez, Trincadeira, Cabernet Sauvignon
5 |MONTE DA RIBEIRA (2020)
The amazing wine producer José de Sousa, has released 2020 this unique white wine named Monte da Ribeira. The wine comes from Alentejo, more precisely Reguengos de Monsaraz has come from old vineyards in which each grape has a story to tell. Monte da Ribeira white wine lets a fresh and complex taste in the mouth. Its aroma of mango, pineapple, and tangerine provides a very enjoyable experience.
Ideal dishes: Pasta, Pork meat, Shellfish and fish
Average price: 10€ | Wine grapes variety: Antão Vaz, Verdelho, Sauvignon Blanc
6 |PACHECA BRANCO GRANDE RESERVA (2020)
From Douro DOC, Portugal, Pacheca Grande Reserva Branco has a rare color that we probably do not see in everyday wines, Pacheca Branco has golden color is similar to tea leaves. its aroma is defined by a nice touch of citrus and wood due to its resting time in oak barrels. In the mouth, it is a mineral, of unusual freshness given by the high acidity. Combines with almost any gastronomical dish due to its complexity balanced with some freshness that always tastes well in white wine.
Ideal dishes: Appetizers, fish, cured meat and sheelfish
Average price: 30€ | Wine grapes variety: Viosinho, Rabigato
