Holiday Food and Drink Pairings: Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year
Holiday tables are full of different flavours at once, so you need drinks that play well with everything. These pairings keep everyone happy — including guests who aren't drinking.
The golden rule for festive meals
Holiday meals mix sweet, savoury, rich and tart dishes on one plate — turkey with cranberry sauce, ham with a sweet glaze, buttery potatoes. Choose versatile, fruity, medium-bodied drinks with good acidity rather than one big, tannic showpiece wine.
Thanksgiving
| Dish | Wine | Beer / other |
|---|---|---|
| Roast turkey with all the trimmings | Pinot Noir, Beaujolais Cru, dry Riesling, Zinfandel | Belgian dubbel, amber ale, dry cider |
| Cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes | Off-dry Riesling, Gewürztraminer | Saison |
| Pumpkin or pecan pie | Tawny Port, late-harvest wine | Pumpkin ale, milk stout |
Pinot Noir and Beaujolais are Thanksgiving favourites: light enough for turkey, fruity enough for cranberry and acidic enough for rich sides. Zinfandel is a classic American choice.
Christmas
| Dish | Wine | Other |
|---|---|---|
| Roast turkey or goose | Pinot Noir, Côtes du Rhône, white Burgundy | Dry cider, Belgian ale |
| Glazed ham | Off-dry Riesling, rosé, Beaujolais | Märzen, Belgian blonde |
| Prime rib, roast beef | Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rioja Reserva | Porter |
| Smoked salmon starter | Champagne, Chablis, Sauvignon Blanc | Witbier, dry sake |
| Christmas pudding, fruit cake | Pedro Ximénez sherry, tawny Port, Madeira | Barleywine, imperial stout |
| Cheese board | Port, Sauternes, Champagne | See our cheese pairing table |
Traditional warm drinks
- Mulled wine (glühwein, glögg, vin chaud): red wine gently warmed (never boiled) with orange, cinnamon, clove, star anise and a little sugar or honey. Keep it below simmering so the alcohol and flavour don't cook off unpleasantly.
- Eggnog: milk, cream, sugar and egg with bourbon, rum or brandy. Use pasteurised eggs.
- Hot Toddy: whisky, honey, lemon and hot water — see the recipe.
- Non-alcoholic mulled drinks: warm spiced apple juice or grape juice with the same spices — everyone can enjoy it.
New Year's Eve
Bubbles are traditional for midnight. Serve a dry sparkling wine with salty appetisers — it is one of the best food pairings there is.
| Appetiser | Pairing |
|---|---|
| Oysters, caviar, smoked salmon blinis | Brut Champagne, Crémant, Cava |
| Fried and salty bites, chips | Prosecco, Cava, Brut Nature |
| Charcuterie and cheese | Rosé sparkling, Lambrusco |
| Sweet treats at midnight | Demi-sec sparkling, Moscato d'Asti |
Plan for about 6 glasses per 750 ml bottle of sparkling wine when pouring toasts (roughly 4 oz each). Our party drinks calculator works out the rest.
Easter and spring feasts
- Roast lamb: Rioja, Bordeaux, Chianti Classico, Cabernet Franc.
- Baked ham: off-dry Riesling, dry rosé, Pinot Noir.
- Spring vegetables and asparagus: Sauvignon Blanc, Grüner Veltliner.
Summer holidays and barbecues
- Burgers and grilled sausages: Zinfandel, Malbec, pale ale, lager.
- Grilled fish and shrimp: rosé, Albariño, Vinho Verde, witbier.
- Big batch drinks: sangria, spritzes and pitchers of mocktails — make them lighter than you think; people drink more in the heat.
Being a thoughtful holiday host
- Serve plenty of food, water and at least one great non-alcoholic drink.
- Stop serving alcohol an hour or more before guests leave and offer coffee and dessert.
- Plan rides home — designated drivers, taxis, rideshares or spare beds.
- Remember that guests who are pregnant, in recovery, on medication or driving may not drink — never pressure anyone.
Frequently asked questions
What wine goes with turkey?
Light, fruity reds like Pinot Noir and Beaujolais, or aromatic whites like dry Riesling and Chardonnay, are ideal. They suit turkey and the many side dishes on a holiday plate.
How many bottles of champagne do I need for a New Year toast?
A 750 ml bottle pours about six 4 oz (120 ml) toast glasses. For 30 guests, plan 5 bottles for the toast alone, plus alcohol-free sparkling options.
