Picking the perfect bottle of wine doesn’t stress me out, but I know it can be overwhelming for others. Over the years, I’ve learned to keep it simple: go to the wine shop with a plan. Choosing the right wine for Christmas can be simple and enjoyable with a few easy tips. Today, I’m sharing my fool-proof way to select a delicious wine for the perfect holiday pairing.
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Try this for dessert: blueberry lemon loaf cake
Tips for finding the perfect wine for Christmas
When I hit the wine aisle, I head straight for the Italian section and look for bottles with the DOC label (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) near the cork.
What is DOC?
DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) is a certification for Italian wines that means they’re top quality, made with specific grapes from certain regions, and follow strict production and aging rules.
Even a bottle under $15 with a DOC label is usually solid, though each one from different regions has its own unique flavor.
From there, I narrow my choices to a few favorite regions listed on the back of the bottle. Here are a few I often look for on the wine shelf…
- Montepulciano – A timeless red that pairs beautifully with roasted meats and pasta.
- Lambrusco – A sparkling red that’s unique and festive, perfect for sipping or pairing with appetizers.
- Chianti – My favorite for Christmas, especially the Gabbiano Cavaliere D’Oro Chianti I used in my new One Pot Christmas Dinner Youtube video. It is easy to find in the DFW / Dallas Area at Kroger and Tom Thumb, and pairs wonderfully with Christmas dinner.
For an app: cucumber feta dip
Cooking with wine for Christmas
When it comes to cooking with wine, I recommend a dry red wine (not sweet, which would really change the flavor profile of a dish). You want it to taste good, so get a bottle you’d be happy to drink…
Chianti is fantastic for adding depth to a dish like my signature beef stew, and it’s perfect to sip while cooking or serving.
Happy wine shopping, friends!
These are so good: pulled pork pastry puffs
See more on smoked foods for the holidays
1 – See the Sip Bite Go review of Traeger Turkey pellets.
2 – See what’s in the turkey brine kit.
3 – Check out these tasty holiday dishes to smoke on the pellet grill…
- Smoked ham
- Smoked turkey breast
- Smoked turkey legs
- Smoked turkey wings
- Smoked mac and cheese
- Smoked mashed potatoes
- Smoked asparagus
- Smoked apple pie
- See more turkey recipes
- Check out the best smoked foods for a Traeger Thanksgiving dinner
- See all of Sip Bite Go’s Thanksgiving turkey recipes…
- Also check out how to cook a turkey in the oven and this turkey brine recipe…
Happy cooking ~ Jenna
Next, browse the Sip Bite Go recipe collection…
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