NOT ONLY CHRISTMAS WINES
Are you the type who spends hours in the kitchen making traditional gourmet dishes? Or maybe the one who chucks a few simple ingredients and suddenly gets a Michelin star? Whether you cook traditional Christmas dishes, or steal the show with simpler appetizers and snacks, below you can get ideas for both, combined with the most suitable wines, to enjoy them together to the fullest! And yes, let's admit it, these wines are not just for Christmas, we just find another excuse (dressed with lights and gold dust) to enjoy them all the time!
Bruschetta with smoked salmon, horseradish cream, cucumber and lemon
Try a sparkling wine or better yet, a Champagne suitable for these days. And since we talked about Michelin stars, the Champagne Gastronome Blanc de Blancs Brut 2018, is the one that will surely amaze the crowds and has been prepared for this very reason. To cause gastronomic panics!
Bruschetta with tsalafouti, pastrami and tomato jam
A combination that as it descended from the sky, harps and angelic laughter could be heard. Yes, it is divine! The Xinomavro rosé 2023 from the Zin Ideos Winery, has impressive aromas of tomato jam, medium body, and crisp acidity, which stand perfectly harmoniously next to the elements of the bruschetta.
Tart with leek, mushrooms, and gruyere
Earthly and rich, with a buttery dough, it will match uniquely with Vina Aquitania Sol de Sol Chardonnay. A wine created by three great winemakers and is one of the most famous Chilean wines worldwide. Tasty concentration and very expressive fruit that is emphasized by the refreshing acidity, with botanical notes giving character and embracing the intense flavors of the tart like a glove.
Tart with caramelized onions, goat cheese and walnuts
Here there is sweetness, saltiness, nuts, and plenty of fat, whenever we want a wine with a fatty body and cool acidity, to balance the intense elements of the food. The Viognier 2023 of the Gerovassiliou Estate is ideal.
Beef roll with mushrooms, prosciutto, herbs and gruyere
Meat cannot be missing from the Christmas table and as old-fashioned as it may sound, with the combination of veal and Xinomavro, you don't lose. Especially if it has flavors and aromas of mushrooms and herbs, like the one above. Ideal for this dish is the Xinomavraw 2022 from Oenops.
Pork roll with dried fruits, apples, whiskey, and aged cheddar
Sweet aromas of ripe fruits and honeyed pork need a wine with the same character and velvety body to stand worthy next to it. The Gorgeous Shiraz 2022 from Thistledown Wine Co has dense juicy fruit, spicy pepper notes, and silky tannins and will create a balmy combination!
Turkey roll with pine nuts, chestnuts, raisins, cognac and bacon
It's a tradition, but it's almost become a law now. The Christmas table can't be without turkey. And let's just have it there to look at, because between us now, not everyone prefers it. But the wine that should be next to it is the Aiora Red 2022 from Moschopolis Winery. Juicy, red fruit, a discreet earthy dimension, and a spicy character, it's exactly what you need. You'll also need the Aiora Magnum if the company is big!
And of course, in the end, it would be impossible not to mention the all-time classic platters, which start with some cheeses and cold cuts and if your imagination plays its tricks, can end up with Picasso paintings. Here you should play it safe (and with quality of course...!) and make some choices that will impress everyone. Quini Cuvee Blanc 2022 by Dr. Loosen has intense aromas of white flowers and citrus fruits, accompanied by intense fruit freshness and crisp acidity from the king of Riesling. A red choice is Antilalos 2022 by Markogianni Winery, with soft tannins and juicy black fruit, notes of smoke, and bacon, which will be amazing with aged yellow cheeses and of course smoked cold cuts. Here there is a great chance that it will monopolize the table and with the main course.
Happy Holidays and Enjoy!
Christina Tsogka
