Have you set your Christmas wine list?
Julien’s here with his top picks for Christmas dinner… from bubbles (he won’t be serving Champagne)… to dessert (sherry, anyone?)… plus 2 whites and 2 reds for a perfect Christmas wine experience…
Transcript:
00:00:00:00 – 00:00:22:17
The best wine for Christmas is the one that you’re going to pick. Just like your best companion in life is the one that you’re with. Of course, one has to cherish what he or she has more than what might have been. But to find the perfect vino, there are a few tips and tricks, a few rules that you have to consider.
00:00:22:17 – 00:00:33:13
And that is what I want you to know.
00:00:33:15 – 00:01:01:11
Hello and welcome to your New Bonner Private Wines video where we learn together about wine, weekly. I’m your host, Julien Miquel, Bordeaux trained French wine maker turned professional wine taster. I’ve been making and commenting on fine wine for over 25 years, and this year will be my 45th Christmas. So I’ve had my fair share of poultry with red wine or foie gras with champagne.
00:01:01:12 – 00:01:25:02
Today I want to discuss why all I want for Christmas is wine. And it’s not just because I’m French. I do like my vino. The wine styles that you should have for Christmas; the food pairing etiquette; and I’ll give you my personal favorite wines as well at the end of the video. While they whine—yes, they do whine quite a bit—
00:01:25:02 – 00:01:43:20
Well, while they whine, we wine. Let’s go.
00:01:43:22 – 00:02:19:22
Smells good. So why is wine such a popular choice for Christmas? Well, first, it’s a festive drink that can help to create a celebratory atmosphere. Second, wine is, of course, the finest alcoholic drink. It’s much finer than beer. And here is a video where I compare wine and beer, if you’re curious. And it’s not as lethal as hard liquor, so it’s much more versatile and why it can be paired with a variety of different foods, and why it’s a great conversation starter as well.
00:02:19:23 – 00:02:46:23
And finally, wine is a great gift. The liquid that represents the sharing, and it brings in prestige onto a dinner table. It’s just perfect. By the way. Next year in 2025, we’re going to have a ton of great wine content. So make sure you’re subscribed so you keep learning, we keep learning, together. I see that many of you are not subscribed yet and it makes me really sad.
00:02:46:23 – 00:02:56:07
And who wants to be sad for Christmas?
00:02:56:09 – 00:03:26:22
So here are the wine styles to have for Christmas. And I’m going to get opening this bottle of sparkling wine. Champagne or sparkling wine are classic choices to celebrate. Of course, you can go for a brut or extra brut styles for their dryness, their complexity and food friendliness. More importantly, if you don’t have the money for champagne, in this video right here I explain the available alternatives to champagne like Prosecco, Moscato or cava.
00:03:26:22 – 00:03:53:01
Really interesting to know. For rich white wines like Chardonnay or viognier, they are excellent choices for their richness and the buttery notes, which can stand up to richer, heartier winter foods like roasted poultry or ham. The light reds, such as the Pinot noir or the Beaujolais well, are lighter in body reds that pair well with roasted turkey or salmon.
00:03:53:01 – 00:04:29:24
They offer a delicate flavors of red fruits with great complexity as well, and earthiness. While the rich, full bodied reds like Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz are Bordeaux options with more tannins and body, and for heartier dishes like the beef Wellington that is traditional in Britain, I believe, and roast lamb. Finally, a sweet dessert wine like a Sauternes or muscat like this one is a delightful pairing with Christmas pudding or fruitcake, as they offer luscious flavors of honey, dried fruits or caramel.
00:04:30:01 – 00:04:58:19
So this was just a brief overview of what you can pick and why. If you are serious about wanting to learn about the different styles of wines that you have, are definitely recommend that you watch this 9 Styles of Wines Explained video. Next, I’ll link to it as well at the end of this video, so make sure to stay tuned and also also review what this wine is all about.
00:04:58:21 – 00:05:28:22
Mm, that one smells good too. Basically, here’s how to use those different wine styles for Christmas/holidays meal. Champagne or sparkling wine are for the toasts before the meal, which is the appetizers. You can bring back sparkling wine as well on dessert later on, the white wines go with the entrees if they’re lighter in flavor; the salads, the seafoods, the prawns, the oysters.
00:05:28:22 – 00:05:58:16
Yes, we love our oysters. For Christmas in France, the smoked salmon or fish, if that’s what you’re having. While, of course, the reds are for the meaty entrees, a charcuterie board, the meaty mains, and the cheese. Dessert wines like sweet wines, Port or sherry from Spain. are to go with desserts and the after meal digestif with the long conversations conversing with grandpa.
00:05:58:18 – 00:06:26:04
And that’s the rule of thumb. But if you follow these rules, you’re essentially covered and in for a delicious meal. If you want to perfect your understanding of wine and food pairing, go watch this Three Essential Rules to Wine and Food Pairing video where I go, simplified, but quite deep, into wine and food pairing. All four specific inspirations from classic recipes from European cuisine and around the world.
00:06:26:09 – 00:06:40:11
My seven best ever wine and food pairings. Those are a must watch to learn the deeper secrets.
00:06:40:13 – 00:07:05:01
So what am I going to have for Christmas? My personal favorite styles? Well, for sparkling, I go with a Spanish Cava because living in the south of France, I live nearby where they’re produced in the north of Spain. So I know about them and I know that they’re better value than champagne, while still being excellent quality for whites.
00:07:05:03 – 00:07:35:14
I go with a Viognier. Yeah, it’s not that famous, but it’s delicious for richer dishes because they’re very oily, which I adore, yet very, very fruity. And I have also a riesling for a crisper, crisper option for reds. Beaujolais is going to be my lighter option, a Margaux from Bordeaux, because it’s the best. Or actually, I’ve recently said in a recent video that Pomerol from Bordeaux is the best wine in the world, so I’ll probably have a Pomerol for dessert.
00:07:35:16 – 00:08:02:22
I have an Amontillado sherry. It’s so good. But your turn now. What are your favorite picks for Christmas? Which style and why? And for which dish are you going to have them? Let us know in the comments! I’m super curious for all your suggestions. I’m going to be reading them and hopefully we all will find inspirations in there. Let’s have this conversation and here are my videos that you need to watch next.
00:08:02:22 – 00:08:22:16
The nine wine styles explained and three essential food pairing rules. The alternatives to champagne and the best wine in the world. I will see you soon in the wonderful world of wine. Cheers!
