The Guide to Choosing the Best Wines for Christmas

Christmas is here, and with it come the lights, the reunions, and, of course, the tables overflowing with delicacies. Amid planning the menu, there is one element that can elevate the experience from a simple meal to an unforgettable celebration: the wine.

Choosing Christmas wine is like selecting the soundtrack for the holidays; it can harmonize every bite and turn a moment into an indelible memory. Whether for the Christmas Eve toast, the Christmas lunch, or the New Year's Eve dinner, the right bottle has the power to unite, cheer, and surprise.

You might feel the pressure to get it right, but don't worry. You don't need to be a sommelier to shine at the Christmas table. With this guide, we present a selection designed for every dish and every moment, ensuring your choices will be a resounding success, and we will also show you how to buy wines online in our wine store for your Christmas.

The Aperitif: Welcoming the Holidays with Freshness and Joy

The first moment of the gathering deserves special attention. While guests are arriving and the first canapés and appetizers are being served, we need a wine that opens the appetite and cheers the spirit.

The key at this stage is freshness and lightness. We are looking for wines that don't tire the palate and are easy to drink, creating a relaxed and festive atmosphere.

For this moment, young white and rosé wines are your best allies. A Marina Alta 2023 is an exceptional choice. This white wine, made from the Muscat grape, is fresh and floral, perfect with olives, almonds, or pickles. Its simple elegance prepares the palate for what is to come.

Another fantastic alternative is the Costa Alicante Rosado 2022. Its fresh and fruity character makes it a perfect wildcard for appetizers. It's ideal on its own or with salmon canapés and fresh cheeses, and its cherry tone adds a Christmas touch to the table from the very beginning.

The Starters: Accompanying the First Flavors

The salads, creams, light fish, or perhaps seafood, arrive at the table. The goal here is to complement, not to dominate. The flavors are often more subtle, so a wine that is too powerful could overshadow them.

An aromatic and vibrant white wine is the safest and most delicious choice for the starters. It allows the flavors of the dish to shine while cleansing the palate between bites.

The Puerto Alicante Blanco 2021 is a wonderful option. It is aromatic and light, making it perfect for salads with nuts or soft cheeses. If the starter is a seafood dish, like grilled prawns, the Fruto Noble Sauvignon Blanc 2023 will be your best decision. Its citrus and herbaceous notes enhance the taste of the sea without masking it, creating a refreshing and elegant combination.

The Main Course: The Grand Moment of the Celebration

This is where the meal reaches its climax. Whether it's a roast lamb, suckling pig, stuffed turkey, or a traditional stew, the main course requires a wine with character, capable of conversing as an equal with intense flavors.

For the Christmas main courses, the undisputed king is red wine. The specific choice will depend on the intensity of your dish, but the general rule is to look for a wine with enough structure not to be eclipsed.

If your menu includes white meats like turkey or capon, or even cured meats, Bala Perdida 2022 is an extraordinary option. This red, notable for its balance and spicy notes, perfectly complements these dishes without overwhelming them. For a more elegant and soft option, the Enrique Mendoza Pinot Noir 2021 is excellent for poultry dishes. Its aromas of red berries add a layer of sophistication to the meal.

However, if your main course is a flavorful red meat or a game stew, you will need a wine with more structure and complexity. This is where a high-end red like Santa Rosa 2021 proves its worth. With its barrel aging, this wine offers a depth of flavor that can accompany lamb or suckling pig, and pairs wonderfully with aged cheeses, being a sublime choice to extend the after-dinner conversation.

The Toast: Celebrating with Bubbles and Joy

Although it's a tradition on New Year's Eve, any moment during Christmas is perfect for a toast. The sound of clinking glasses encapsulates the joy and hope of the season.

While Cava or Champagne are classics, don't underestimate the power of a quality local sparkling wine. The perfect choice for this moment is a wine that is fresh, dry or semi-dry, and with persistent bubbles that symbolize the effervescence of the party.

Although our list doesn't include a specific sparkling wine, the freshness of the Marina Alta 2023 or the fruity elegance of the Fruto Noble Rosado 2022 can fulfill this role in a brilliant and memorable way for a different kind of toast.

Dessert: The Perfect Sweet Finale

The Christmas meal often ends with a wide variety of sweets: turrón, marzipan, polvorones, candied fruit... This is a territory where dry wines usually don't work; you need a wine that is even sweeter than the dessert to create perfect harmony.

A natural sweet wine is the ideal companion for Christmas desserts. Its residual sugar balances the sweetness of the turrón, and its acidity cleanses the palate of the fat from the polvorones.

For this magical moment, the Fruto Noble Moscatel 2023 is an unbeatable choice. Sweet and aromatic, it is the perfect dance partner for turrón and marzipan. Its aromas of white flowers and ripe fruit are the pure essence of Christmas.

For an even more unique and local experience, Cristal-li de Vins del Comtat offers something different. Made from the Muscat grape from the Cabo de la Nao area, it stands out for its notes of orange blossom and citrus, which add a touch of freshness and complexity that cuts through the sweetness of the desserts in a sublime way.

The Final Touch: Wines for Gifting or a Surprise Visit

Christmas is also the time for gifts and unexpected visits. Having a special bottle on hand to give as a gift or share on an impromptu occasion is a gesture that is always appreciated.

For a gift, look for a wine that conveys emotion or uniqueness. A high-end wine like Santa Rosa 2021 is a gift that will not go unnoticed, demonstrating exquisite taste. For a wine-loving friend who appreciates something different, the Enrique Mendoza Pinot Noir 2021 is a show of elegance and uniqueness in a bottle.

For a surprise visit, an easy-drinking and versatile wine like Mínimo Tinto 2021 or Costa Alicante Rosado 2022 are perfect options. They are accessible, fruity wines that everyone will enjoy, ideal for opening and enjoying in a moment of Christmas camaraderie.

Find the Flavors of Your Christmas at Vinos de Alicante

At Vinos de Alicante, we know that Christmas is lived at the table, surrounded by those you love the most. That's why we have gathered a selection of wines that are the perfect complement to your celebration. From the first aperitif to the last toast, we have the flavor you are looking for.

This Christmas, elevate your moments with our selection:

• To start with freshness: Marina Alta 2023 (€7.39) or Costa Alicante Rosado 2022 (€8.42).
• For the starters: Puerto Alicante Blanco 2021 (€9.89) or Fruto Noble Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (€13.76).
• For the main course: Bala Perdida 2022 (€11.64), Enrique Mendoza Pinot Noir 2021 (€14.14), or the exceptional Santa Rosa 2021 (€39.15).
• For desserts: Fruto Noble Moscatel 2023 (€16.19) or Cristal-li de Vins del Comtat.
• For an informal moment: Mínimo Tinto 2021 (€8.79) or Fruto Noble Rosado 2022 (€12.19).

Remember: This is your celebration. These wines are a suggestion to inspire you. We invite you to explore our online store, Vinos de Alicante, where you will find this and many other options to make the flavor of your Christmas perfect. Browse through our categories and discover the wine that will make these holidays an even more special memory. (Please check shipping conditions on the website).

The Christmas holidays pass in the blink of an eye, but the memory of a well-shared table, with the perfect flavors and aromas, lasts forever. Happy Holidays and happy toasts