‘Tis the season for jingling and mingling! Decadent hors d’oeuvres and festive drinks help in making spirits bright… But, not sure what to serve up at your holiday party this year? Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered. Pop the cork and take some notes! Here’s the best wine pairings to dish out at your next holiday soirée:
Sparkling Wine
Nothing says “festive” like a little bit of bubbly. The pop, the fizz, the clank of the tall fluted glasses are sooo glam. For an extra festive twist, throw in two or three cranberries to dress up this already stylish holiday drink. Serve this as your guests first arrive with a little seafood appetizer. Think shrimp cocktail, mini lobster rolls, bites of sushi and crab dip.
Find the freshest seafood in town at Metropolitan Fish Market.
Fun Fact: Sparkling wine is more commonly known as Champagne, however, the bubbly drink we all know and love can only be labelled as such when it is produced in Champagne, France.
Chardonnay
Chards are a popular choice among “white wine drinkers” and a great crowd-pleasing wine to have at any holiday party. Typically produced with fruity notes like green apple, melon and fig, the Chardonnay pairs nicely with soft cheeses like goat cheese, feta, ricotta and queso blanco. Try serving this sip with ricotta cheese gnocchi bites, goat cheese on radicchio or cheese spreads. Go ahead and spread some cheer!
Find the largest selection of both, local and international, artisanal cheeses from Stinky Bklyn.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is the lightest of the red wines and pairs perfectly with most dishes. It’s a popular choice to bring to any holiday gathering where various foods are being served. Since a Pinot Noir is “heavier” than a white wine, try pairing it with a protein-based appetizer like smoked duck, sliced pork or bacon-wrapped shrimp.
Find all your fixings at Muncan Food Corp.
Cabernet
Cabernets are the “heavier” of the red wines and often paired with steak dinners. The depth of flavor created in this bold choice of wine, makes it the perfect complement with heartier proteins, vegetables and cheeses. Think beef short ribs, wild mushroom arancini, and aged, hard cheeses like Parmesan, gouda or cheddar.
Try Paisanos Butcher Shop for some delicious Cab pairings.
Fun Fact: The grapevines found in vineyards across the world are not only picturesque, they are grown at specific distances from each other in order to enhance the flavor of the grape. The notion is that the vines “struggle” with each other to get the most nutrients from the soil. The “harder they work” to find these nutrients, the greater the depth of flavor produced in the wine, such as the Cabernet.
Port Wine
Port is a sweet red wine often used as a dessert wine. Like Champagne, only the product made from Portugal may be labelled as Port or Porto. Treat your guests at the end of the evening with a little sip of Port and bites of dessert made with dark or bittersweet chocolate. The higher the cacao content, the better!
Find the most decadent sweets at Li-Lac Chocolates.
Fun Fact: Port has an above average alcohol content; most range between 19% and 22% by volume! So, drink responsibly!
