The holidays are coming and some of us will be hosting holiday parties this year. As a party hostess, I often serve a variety of delicious wines at my holiday parties. On top of all of that, I sometimes give a bottle of wine as a gift.
Buying wine can be a confusing endeavor. To make things a little bit easier, here is a Classic Wine Guide for the Holidays. Well, it can be used year-round too!
Appetizer Wines
Sherry (dry), Vermouth, Flavored Wines
Serving Temp: Cool room temperature or chilled.
Best with all appetizer foods such as canapes, hor d’oeuvers, soups, dips, etc.
Red Dinner Wines
Burgundy, Cabernet, Sauvignon, Gamay, Chianti, Pinot Noir, Petite Sirah, Ruby Cabernet, Barbera, Zinfandel
Serving Temp: Cool room temperature, around 65 degrees.
Best served with hearty foods such as: red meats, pork, wild game, cheese, egg and pasta dishes.
Rose Wines
Serving Temp: Chilled at around 50 degrees.
Best served with ham, fried chicken, picnic foods, shellfish or cold beef products.
White Dinner Wines
Chablis, Rhine, Sauterne, Chardonnay, Chenin, Blanc, White Riesling, French Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc.
Serving Temp: chilled around 50 degrees.
Best with: light foods: poultry, fish, shellfish, ham and veal.
Dessert Wines
Port, Tokay, Muscatel, Catawba, Sauterne (sweet), Aurora, Sherry
Serving Temp: cool room temp. around 65 degrees.
Best with: All desserts, fruits, nuts, cakes and dessert cheeses.
Sparkling Wines
Champagne, Sparkling Burgundy, Sparkling Rose
Serving Temp: chilled around 45 degrees.
Can be served with all foods at any occasion.
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I enjoy learning more about wines. I want to use the ones to enhance the taste of the other foods being eaten.
It is fun to pair different wines with foods. My favorite wine though is Chardonnay.
I honestly know nothing about wines. I would have no clue what to serve with what, and as fancy as we are which is not, I dont think I have ever served it. The closest we come is grogg on Christmas which is kind of a Danish mulled wine an Aunt brings. Its a sweet wine and yes it goes with everything. I always ask the folks at the sore I guess or will have to refer to this.
Thank you for the wine lesson. I had a general idea but there are a lot mentioned that had a big ? for me. With the holidays coming its good to know.