Christmas comes but once a year and it’s the perfect opportunity to pull out your favourite bottle. But if you’d like a sprinkling of Tanner's magic, then Amy McCudden has picked some top recommendations that will be sure to spread some festive cheer.
A Christmas feast is full of flavours and textures. The star of the table, from roast turkey to root vegetable tart, is often served alongside a plethora of side dishes and sauces. Deciding what main course to serve and which wine to pair with it can cause a headache for any host, especially with fussy guests and the yearly dilemma of
…Roast Turkey
A perennial Christmas favourite from small dinners to family feasts, a roast turkey often takes centre stage at the table. Famously lean, a turkey pairs well with lighter reds or richer whites. There are many options from Beaujolais to Burgundy, the choice is yours. Below are two great value options that will satisfy thirsty (and hungry) guests, and they may even become new-found favourites leading into the New Year.
Red wine to try: A fruity Pinot Noir, such as Domain Road Pinot Noir, Central Otago will delight you and your guests. Bursting with ripe red fruit, black plum and hedgerow berries. With a subtle hint of warm, sweet spice, it’s a luxurious Pinot Noir that delivers quality and superb value.
White wine to try: A classic, creamy Chardonnay such as Mâcon-Chardonnay, Mallory & Benjamin Talmard will make for a great easy-drinking option for the table. However, not everyone likes Chardonnay. So, in that case, a Pinot Gris is a crowd-pleasing and versatile option. Try the Dopff & Irion Pinot Gris, Cuvée René Dopff, Alsace which offers ripe, juicy white with honeyed fruit without offending anyone’s palate.
…Roast Beef
You can’t go wrong with a good Claret and roast beef. A Bordeaux blend which peppers the wine with structure and a delicious array of red and black fruit flavours from raspberry to dark plum will marry nicely to the beef.
Red wine to try: Pick up a Château Cissac, Haut-Médoc 2017 this Christmas. An unmissable Claret, it’s Christmas in a bottle which will see you through dinner to fire-side sipping.
…Goose
Another festive favourite, roast goose matches beautifully with fruity reds. Whilst a Pinot Noir will make a perfect wine partner, you could surprise your palate with an equally fruity Italian red. Nebbiolo-based wines from Northern Italy can offer delectable fruity aromas and flavours with a streak of acidity that will complement the fattiness of the goose. It’s a melt-in-your-mouth combination.
Red wine to try: A bottle of Langhe Nebbiolo, Crissante or Barbaresco, Rombone, Renato Fenocchio which both offer ripe red fruit and fresh acidity, perfect for partnering with goose-fat roast potatoes too!
….Cooked & glazed Ham
A glazed ham is a typical festive showstopper, from Christmas Day lunches to Boxing Day leftovers. There are many options to consider, and you could opt for a full white or a juicy red.
Red wine to try: If you’re keeping it simple, a cooked ham without any fancy glazes will make a nice addition to a plate full of festive food or leftovers. Try a fruit-filled Garnacha (aka Grenache) like Príncipe de Viana Garnacha, Roble, Navarra which offers mouth-watering red fruits and hints of hedgerow bramble, all followed by a touch of soft warm spice.If you’re having a sweeter glazed ham, like honey, then a Gamay-based wine from Beaujolais is a superb choice. Filled with delicious fruit from ripe strawberry to hedgerow to bramble and a hint of sweet spice, the Côte de Brouilly, Domaine de la Voûte des Crozes, Nicole Chanrion is an elegant wine that will make a fantastic addition to the Christmas table.
White wines to try: If you’re looking for a white wine option, try a fuller style that exudes stone fruit and tropical flavours. A new producer to the Tanners range, the wines of Samartzis have become firm favourites across 2024. Pick up a bottle of Samartzis 'Dío Potámia' Kontoura, Barrique, Thiva which is a fantastic Burgundian alternative. Or pick up a bottle of Ianthis Chardonnay, Quinta do Francês, Algarve. Chardonnay is well-loved for its versatility and this Portuguese bottle is a real gem. Far from the minerality of Burgundian Chablis, the warmth of the Algarve gives this Chardonnay soft stone fruit aromas and flavours, as well as hints of ripe pineapple and ginger spice. Delicious!
….Pheasant
A roast pheasant is the perfect dish to pair with red burgundy.
Red wine to try: Bursting with quality, try Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Rouge, Maison Roche de Bellene 2017. It’s silky and elegant, offering finesse and fruit at outstanding value.
….Root vegetable tart or nut roast
A root vegetable tart or warm nut roast offers a treasure trove of flavours and textures from sweet, honeyed parsnips to herby notes of sage. With those earthy flavours, a quality bottle of fruity red will pair beautifully.
Red wine to try: A new bottle to the Tanners range this year, the Amplus Merlot is a go-to for any Merlot fans who want a powerhouse of fruit with whisps of cracked black pepper and winter spice.
The main course showstopper wines
Perhaps you haven’t decided yet what on your Christmas Day main, or maybe you’re having a full-on feast with multiple options to suit even the fussiest palate. Either way, you can present a showstopping wine that will not only make a cracking centrepiece but will also pair with a variety of main courses.
Red wine to try: From one of the prestigious Beaujolais Crus, Fleurie, Grille-Midi, Louis Boillot 2021 is a true Christmas treat. A superb wine which offers a delicious balance of delicateness and complexity, it’s bursting with aromas and flavours of bright strawberry, raspberry coulis and finished with a sprinkling of sweet cinnamon. Beaujolais is often revered as a go-to option for crowd-pleasing wines, but this Cru level red will add a touch of luxury to your table.
White wine to try: Many Tanners staff will be opting for white burgundy this Christmas and you, and your guests, will fall in love with Viré-Clessé, Les Héritiers du Comte Lafon. Filled with a mouth-watering mixture of ripe stone and orchard fruits, this wine is complemented by a streak of acidity that keeps the wine balances and oh-so moreish.
