Choosing the wines to go with your Christmas dinner is a tricky enough affair when you take into consideration all the different flavours on your plate. Turkey itself is quite easy going – whites with a bit of richness and reds that aren’t too tannic or heavy are what you need. It’s all the side dishes and various accoutrements that complicate the situation – ham, cloves, cranberry jelly, roast potatoes, brussel sprouts, bacon, stuffing, gravy and whatever else your family enjoys all make for a flavour packed plate. For maximum enjoyment, you need wine that speaks loudly enough to be heard over the din but won’t overpower the meal.
Whites:
The traditional choice is white Burgundy. These wines are pretty much perfect with a Christmas turkey. They have just the right level of richness to complement the meal, they cleanse the palate and they are French which seems somehow appropriate for the time of year.
Domaine St Denis Macon Lugny. An excellent wine from a tiny, quality conscious domaine in the Macon. Just the right amount of richness for white fowl.
Patrick Javillier Bourgogne Blanc Les Oligocenes. Patrick Javillier is an excellent producer who vinifies his Bourgogne Blanc with the same level of attention as his Meursault which makes this wine excellent value for money.
Ch Beauregard Pouilly Fuissé Classique. Another top quality producer whose wines are always a joy.
Remoissenet Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume. It’s Chablis, but not as we know it. A richer style of Chablis which tastes like it comes from the Côte d’Or. The hit of our most recent fine wine evening.
If you want to try something different this year....
Domaine Gayda Freestyle White. A rich and savoury blend of Roussanne, Marsanne and Maccabeu. If it’s good enough for Daniel Craig, it’s good enough for us…
Vieux Telegraphe White Chateauneuf du Pape. A real Christmas treat – rich, savoury, complex and delicious.
Neudorf Chardonnay. A very elegant Chardonnay from Nelson in New Zealand that will work brilliantly.
Secateurs Chenin Blanc. For the anything but chardonnay camp. Sauvignon Blanc is not going to cut the mustard where turkey and all the trimmings are concerned. This Chenin Blanc has just the right depth of fruit flavour and enough body to carry you through.
Foradori Manzoni Bianco. A truly unique and unusual wine from Italy that somehow seems to be made for Christmas dinner. It is full bodied and savoury with earthy, hay and straw flavours mixed in with fruit and smoke. Fascinating.
Reds:
The traditional choice for red wine would also be Burgundy at Christmas time. These reds are made from Pinot Noir which is an excellent choice because it is low in tannin (turkey doesn’t need much tannin) and it has a lovely red fruit character that echoes the cranberry and redcurrant flavours in the meal.
Remoissenet Givry Rouge ‘Roi Henri’. A really vibrant and fresh wine that will mirror any cranberry or redcurrant flavours in the dish. Fantastic value.
Javillier Savigny Les Beaune Les Grands Liards. Patrick’s daughter Marion is in charge of the reds in this household and she’s just as charming and dedicated as her father. This is a lovely wine from a fantastic vintage that will serve you well over the festive season.
Alternatively…
Dog Point Pinot Noir. New Zealand Pinot Noir is really world class and this is a gorgeously luscious but soft Pinot Noir that will go down a storm.
Cefiro Pinot Noir. The bargain of the century.
Domaine Coste Chaude Côtes du Rhône. Côtes du Rhône is another great choice for Christmas dinner as it has some of those red fruit flavours, soft tannins and a touch of spice.
Gulfi Nerojbleo. A Sicilian red made from the Nero d’Avola grape. A very fine red wine - juicy with dense red fruit flavours.
