The time has come to start preparing for holiday celebrations and festivities. Pairing food and wine for you and your guests can sometimes be challenging, especially if you’re planning a buffet or potluck. Our number one tip? Serve an assortment of wine to satisfy a wide range of taste preferences and personalities and to complement a large variety of dishes.

The following dishes are comforting, seasonal and oftentimes rich. Determining the wines that pair well with your menu will be a snap with these suggestions. Make this time of the year a little less hectic with the definitive WineShop At Home holiday wine & food pairing guide prepared by our Winemaker, Alex Reble.

 

Winemaker's Holiday Food & Wine Pairing Guide

Crab cakes, shrimp cocktail, stuffed mushrooms or cheese puffs (gougères)

REDS

le Cadeau Rosé Sparkling

Monarch 2017 Syrah

Table Red Wine

WHITES

Table White Wine

Mariana Vineyard 2016 Verdelho

Adagio 2016 Minuet

le Cadeau Semi-Seco Sparkling Wine

 

Winemaker's Holiday Food & Wine Pairing Guide - Meatballs

Prosciutto crostini, meatballs or savory crêpes

REDS

Fact 2017 Cabernet Franc

Tatu Estates 2017 Petit Verdot

Monarch 2017 Tannat

WHITES

Fact Blush

Tatu Estates 2017 Pinot Grigio

 

Winemaker's Holiday Food & Wine Pairing Guide - Roasted Brussels sprouts

Roasted Brussel sprouts, sweet potatoes, corn, carrots, squash or pumpkin

REDS

Ceres Goddess

Terroir Cellars 2017 Merlot

WHITES

Fleur Bleu 2016 Sauvignon Blanc

Fleur Bleu 2017 Chardonnay

Joy Cellars 2016 Euphoria

 

Winemaker's Holiday Food & Wine Pairing Guide - Roasted turkey

Roasted turkey, goose, capon, Cornish hen or roast chicken

REDS

Elan Cellars 2017 Zinfandel

le Cadeau Rosé Sparkling Wine

Terroir Cellars 2017 Merlot

Tatu Estates 2017 Rosé of Grenache

Halcyon 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon

WHITES

Fleur Bleu 2017 Chardonnay

McKenna 2016 Sauvignon Blanc

 

Winemaker's Holiday Food & Wine Pairing Guide - Stuffed roast pork

Prime rib, roasted pork, glazed ham, rack of lamb or Italian sausage stuffing

REDS

Elan Cellars 2017 Zinfandel

Artisan 5 2014 Masterpiece

Somersville Cellars 2016 Red Meritage

Glory Cellars 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon

Adorn 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon-Cabernet Franc

WHITES

le Cadeau Semi-Seco Sparkling Wine

McKenna 2016 Sauvignon Blanc

Mariana Vineyard 2016 Verdelho

 

Winemaker's Holiday Food & Wine Pairing Guide - cioppino

Cioppino, shrimp cocktail or homemade spaetzle

REDS

Nouveau Muse 2016 Rhapsody

Table Red Wine

Fleur Bleu 2016 Carignan

WHITES

Ceres 2017 Muscat

Tatu Estates 2017 Muscat of Alexandria

 

Winemaker's Holiday Food & Wine Pairing Guide - Mashed potatoes

Creamy dishes like casseroles, mashed potatoes, mac ‘n’ cheese or creamed spinach

REDS

Panache Lane Bodacious

Lumière de Vie Merlot

WHITES

Panache Lane Flamboyant

Fact Blush

 

Winemaker's Holiday Food & Wine Pairing Guide - Pumpkin pie

Creamy, rich desserts like pumpkin pie, pecan pie or chocolate log

REDS

le Cadeau Rosé Sparkling Wine

Lumière de Vie Merlot

WHITES

Halcyon 2017 Colombard

Dusk 2016 Chenin Blanc

Mariana Vineyard 2016 Verdelho

 

Winemaker's Holiday Food & Wine Pairing Guide - Berry cherry fruit crumble

Fruit pies, tart tatin or fruit crumbles

REDS

Gemme Cellars 2016 Ruby

Table Red Wine

WHITES

le Cadeau Semi-Seco Sparkling Wine

Panache Lane Flamboyant

Ceres 2017 Muscat