The Best Wines for Christmas: A Complete Guide for a Refined Holiday Table

Introduction: Choosing the right wine is half the magic of Christmas

The Christmas table is a moment of celebration, togetherness, and culinary pleasure. Whether you’re hosting an intimate dinner or preparing a festive feast, the wines you choose will shape the entire dining experience.

This guide walks you through the best wines for Christmas, based on traditional dishes, modern favorites, and expert recommendations from French winemakers and sommeliers.

Our goal: help you create a harmonious, elegant holiday menu that leaves a lasting impression.

Start with Elegance: The Best Wines for Christmas Aperitif

The aperitif sets the tone for the evening. You want freshness, lightness, and festive flair — nothing too heavy before the main meal.

Champagne: The Timeless Classic

No drink embodies celebration more than Champagne.
Its fine bubbles and balanced acidity awaken the palate without overwhelming it.

Recommended pairings:

• gougères (cheese puffs)

• smoked salmon blinis

• oysters

• light canapés

• 📌 Further reading: Decanter – “How to choose Champagne”

Crémant: The Smart Alternative

Crémant offers excellent quality at a more approachable price.
Crémant de Loire is especially refined.

Crémant advantages:

• traditional method like Champagne

• excellent acidity

• great value for money

• ideal for large gatherings

Serve at: 7–9°C for maximum freshness.

The Best White Wines for Christmas Dinner

Christmas dishes vary across cultures, but seafood and poultry remain universal favorites.
White wines accompany these dishes beautifully when chosen with care.

Sauvignon Blanc: Freshness for Seafood Lovers

Perfect for:

• oysters

• shrimp

• scallops

• ceviche

• smoked salmon

• crab or lobster

Loire Valley Sauvignon Blancs (such as Pouilly-Fumé or Sancerre) offer minerality, citrus, and a clean finish ideal for delicate dishes.

💡 If someone dislikes Sauvignon Blanc, a dry rosé or Chablis works wonderfully.

Chardonnay: The Holiday Essential

Depending on the style, Chardonnay can be light and mineral or rich and creamy — perfect for Christmas.

Chablis-style Chardonnay (unoaked):

• oysters

• prawns

• baked fish

Burgundy or lightly oaked Chardonnay:

• turkey with gravy

• roast chicken

• creamy sauces

• mushroom dishes

Full-bodied, oaked Chardonnay:

• lobster

• pasta with truffles

• gratins

• scallops in butter

Sweet Wines: A Magical Pairing with Foie Gras

If foie gras is on the menu, sweet wines like Sauternes, Coteaux du Layon, or Jurançon create an unforgettable combination.

Why it works:
The sweetness balances the richness while acidity cuts through the fat.

📌 Source: GuildSomm – “Sweet wines: food pairing principles”
https://www.guildsomm.com/

The Best Red Wines for Christmas

While whites shine with seafood, Christmas classics often involve roast meat, stews, and hearty side dishes — perfect for red wines.

Pinot Noir: The Ultimate Christmas Red

Pinot Noir is elegant, light to medium-bodied, and incredibly versatile.

Pairs with:

• turkey

• roast chicken

• duck

• mushroom dishes

• root vegetables

Its silky tannins and red berry notes complement holiday spices gracefully.

Recommendation: Look for Loire Pinot Noir for finesse.

Bordeaux: For Heartier Christmas Dishes

Bordeaux wines bring structure, black fruits, and depth — ideal for:

• beef Wellington

• lamb

• roasted meats

• truffle dishes

Left bank blends offer more tannic structure (Cabernet-driven), while right bank blends provide rounder fruit and softer tannins (Merlot-driven).

Building a Perfect Christmas Wine Lineup (With Quantities)

Here’s an example wine plan for a gathering of 6–8 people:

• 2 bottles of sparkling wine for the aperitif

• 2 white wines for seafood or starters

• 2 red wines for main courses

• 1 sweet wine for foie gras or dessert

• 1 sparkling rosé if serving fruit-based desserts

This structure guarantees variety without overwhelming guests.

Conclusion: Selecting wines that elevate your holiday experience

Christmas is about sharing, celebrating, and creating memories — and wine plays a central role in these festive moments. Whether you love sparkling wines, elegant whites, or powerful reds, the right choice enhances every dish and every moment at the table.

At Mon Collectionneur, we curate French wines that bring refinement and authenticity to your Christmas celebrations. From artisanal Champagne to elegant Burgundy reds, our catalog offers options for every holiday menu.

👉 Contact us for tastings, our complete catalog, or to order on our website.