From timeless classics to vegetarian dishes, Amy McCudden helps you kick off your Christmas feast in style with a sprinkling of festive food and wine inspiration.
…a timeless starter of smoked salmon
A crisp, light and refreshing white wine will match beautifully with a smoked salmon starter.
Wine to try: Touraine Sauvignon Blanc, Les Silex, Domaine Beauséjour 2023. This is a top-value white wine exuding quality with a sumptuous balance of fruit and minerality – an excellent alternative to Sancerre - it’s also a staff favourite so you can be sure it’ll be making an appearance on several Tanners staff tables.
"The 2023 Domaine Beauséjour Sauvignon de Touraine ‘Les Silex’ is textbook Sauvignon from the Loire, full of grass, citrus, asparagus and gooseberry, complete with a dry mineral finish. It’s so refreshing and such a brilliant aperitif." Jonathan Ray, The Spectator, 27th April 27, 2024.
…Prawn Cocktail
An absolute classic, prawn cocktail is a superb dish to start a festive feast. And whilst many people will think Christmas is all about brooding reds and crisp whites, a true Tanners Christmas needs a bottle of rosé on the table.
Wine to try: The Spanish Bagordi Rosado, Rioja will match the Marie-rose sauce beautifully. Filled with delicious red fruit like strawberry and raspberry, it’s zesty and refreshing and will keep your palate cleansed ahead of a showstopper main course.
…Ham hock terrine
Another Christmas favourite, it’s a great starter with a red or white wine.
Red wine to try: Start your Christmas menu with a soft red. Light and oh-so fruity, the Paparuda range are fail-safe crowd-pleasers. Their Paparuda Pinot Noir, Estate Selection is full of juicy berry fruits with a subtle hint of warming sweet spice.
White wine to try: Soft stone fruit such as peaches ,nectarines and apricots are great matches for ham. Domaine de l'Amandine Blanc, Côtes du Rhône which is fresh, full, complemented by opulent stone fruit aromas and flavours like rich apricot and soft pear.
….Beetroot and Goats’ cheese tart
The tangy addition of goats’ cheese calls for a crisp white wine to pair beautifully. Sauvignon Blanc is a natural favourite for this type of cheese, but an Albariño would be a different and equally refreshing white wine.
Wine to try: A go-to bottle among staff, pick up Lagar de Cervera Albariño, Rias Baixas it will make an elegant starter wine. Deliciously crisp, it’ll be sure to wow your guests.
The perfect all-rounder starter
…brie and cranberry filo parcel
Light enough before the main course, a simple starter such as a brie and cranberry filo parcel is a great way to begin your Christmas Day feast. The delicate crunch of the filo pastry envelopes the creamy brie and the juicy cranberry sauce. Being a mild cheese, brie is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser which isn’t going to divide opinions either. There will be clean plates around the table before the main course arrives. So, what wine would pair with this? Champagne, of course!
Showstopping Starter Fizz
Wine to try: Beaumont des Crayères Fleur de Prestige, Brut Champagne 2014 is not only a top-quality vintage Champagne, but at just shy of £40 it offers unmissable value too. The elegant bubbles will complement the creaminess of the cheese. If you’re looking for a show-stopping Champagne match, then choose Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé, Brut Champagne. Exuding delicate red fruit aromas and flavours, this bottle of bubbly with match every element of the starter course from the gooey brie to the juicy cranberry sauce. Enjoy!
