When hosting holiday meals and parties, you put lots of thought into the food you’ll serve. But what about the wines? They deserve your attention, too. For 15 years, The Dallas Morning News Wine Panel has picked wines for many holiday foods and occasions, from Thanksgiving dinners to toasting the New Year. This year, we’ve compiled a guide for choosing wines for holiday meals and parties. Read on for wine pairing tips, budget-friendly party wines, and a slew of sparklers.
Herby and roasted
Oven roasted turkey with herbed dressing welcomes a variety of wines. Pinot noir is a can’t-miss partner, but your favorite fruit-forward, dry rosé (still or sparkling) would also be a good match. As for whites, sauvignon blanc, a dry Alsatian riesling, or a gruner veltliner are versatile, food-friendly choices. The vibrant acidity of these whites cuts through the richness of traditional Thanksgiving sides.
Tip: When serving pinot noir or any other red wine, chill it slightly (60 F to 65 F) to highlight its fruity character.
Wine suggestions:
Siduri Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, 2019, Oregon, $25.97 to $32.99 at Central Market, Sigel’s, Spec’s and Total Wine
Elk Cove Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, 2019, Oregon, $26.99 at Central Market, Costco, Dallas fine wines, Pogo’s, Spec’s, Eatzi’s, Total Wine
McMurray Ranch Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, $25.99, widely available
Trimbach Riesling, Alsace, 2019, France, $19.99 to $22.99 at Total Wine, Spec’s, Sigel’s, select Goody Goody stores
Justin Sauvignon Blanc, Central Coast, 2020, California, $14.99 to $15.99, widely available
Weingut Malat “Crazy Creatures” Gruner Veltliner 2020, Austria, $17.99 at Central Market on Lovers and Sigel’s
Smoked flavors
Smoked turkey pairs well with a medium-bodied red that shows ripe fruit and a touch of spice. This could be a richer pinot noir with baking spice and earthy notes, or a syrah with lush fruit and peppery notes. “Zinfandel often gets overlooked, but its spice quality would be great with smoked turkey,” says sommelier Paul Botamer of Fearing’s at The Ritz Carlton.
He also favors sparkling red wines. “Sparkling shiraz is awesome with smoked turkey,” Botamer says, adding that sparkling dry Lambrusco also pairs well. The hint of fruity sweetness in the Lambrusco counters the saltiness of the smoked meat, and the bubbles bring a refreshing quality. For lovers of rich white wines, you can complement the turkey’s richness and smoky flavor with an oaked Chardonnay.
Wine suggestions:
Gary Farrell Russian River Selection Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, 2018 California, $39.99 to $44.99 at Central Market, and select Spec’s, Whole Foods, Tom Thumb, and Kroger stores
Emeritus Hallberg Ranch Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, 2017 California, $29.99 to $44.99 at Pogo’s, Sigel’s, and Goody Goody on Oak Lawn
Molo 8 Lambrusco Mantovano, NV Italy, $11.99 to $17.99 at Jimmy’s, Pogo’s, Dallas Fine Wines, Momo’s (available retail), Corner Wines (in Plano), McKinney Wine Merchant, and The Downing Bottles and Bites (in Rockwall)
Cleto Chiarli Vecchia Modena Lambrusco di Sorbara 2019 Italy, $12.99 at Jimmy’s Food Store, Eataly
Torbreck Woodcutter’s Shiraz, Barossa Valley, 2019 Australia, $16.97 to $23.99 at Sigel’s, Total Wine on Central Expressway and in Las Colinas
Michael David Winery “Earthquake” Zinfandel, Lodi, 2018, California, $21.47 to $ 25.99 at Central Market, Sigel’s, Total Wine, and some large supermarkets
DeLoach Chardonnay, Russian River 2019, California, $20.99 to $21.99, widely available
La Crema Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast 2019, California, $12.97 to $16.99, widely available
Cajun fried
Cajun fried turkey needs a wine that can cut through the fried richness with bright fruit and cleansing acidity. A sparkling rosé combines fresh, red fruit with palate-cleansing bubbles that refresh the palate between bites. “Sparkling wine and fried anything are so good together — the salty and rich [food] with sparkling and acidic wine is the ultimate combination,” Botamer says.
For still red wines, a warm climate grenache “with bright fruit, low tannins and lush texture, makes a good counterpoint to the spicy fried turkey,” says Jasper Russo, director of wine marketing, Sigel’s Fine Wines and Great Spirits. Grenache (aka garnacha) from Australia, California’s Central Coast, and Paso Robles are good choices, he says. For white wine drinkers, go for an off-dry style riesling. Even if you usually shy away from slightly sweet wines, you’ll enjoy how its fruit plays against the spicy Cajun seasonings. A chardonnay with tropical fruit flavors also works well with the spicy turkey.
Wine suggestions:
Gruet Brut Rosé, American, $13.99 to $17, widely available
Flor Rosé Spumante, Italy, $16.90 at Central Market on Lovers and Eataly
Basso Garnacha, McLaren Vale 2018, Australia, $24.95 at Central Market and Pogo’s
Loosen Bros. “Dr. L” Riesling, 2019, Germany, $9.59 to $11.99 at Spec’s, Sigel’s, select Goody Goody stores
DeLoach Chardonnay, Russian River 2020, $16.97 to $21.99, widely available
For dessert
Rich, nutty dessert wines go well with classic pumpkin pie and pecan pie. Madeira, tawny port, or a sweetened oloroso sherry fit the bill. But a muscat with caramel-orange flavors also works.
Dessert wine Suggestions:
Sandman Fine Rich Madeira, Portugal, $16.99 to $19.46 at Total Wine, Spec’s
Fonseca 10 Year Old Aged Tawny Port, Portugal, $29.99 to $31.99 at Spec’s, Sigel’s
Lustau East India Solera Sherry, Spain, $22.99 at Total Wine
Campbells Rutherglen Muscat, Australia, $14.59 for 375 ml. at Goody Goody on Harry Hines and on Northwest Highway
Emilio Lustau Emilin Moscatel Superior Sherry, Spain, $29 at Pogo’s
With beef
Beef tenderloin/filet, roast beef or rib roast call for a medium to full bodied red with well integrated tannins and some complexity. Cabernet sauvignon, malbec, merlot and syrah work well (the peppery notes of syrah could enhance a pepper-crusted tenderloin or rib roast). There are many great choices from California, but don’t overlook wines from Argentina or Chile.
“There’s still good value to be had in South American wines,” says Jennifer Uygur, co-owner and beverage manager of Lucia restaurant. Many Gran Reserva tempranillos from Spain’s Rioja and Ribera del Duero regions also represent good values, especially considering the aging that’s required before they’re released.
Wine suggestions:
Luca Old Vine Malbec, 2018, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina, $32.99 at Central Market, Spec’s, Goody Goody on Oak Lawn, and in Addison and Irving
Tapiz Alta Collection Malbec 2018, Argentina, $18.99 to $21.99 at Central Market and Spec’s
Bodegas Beronia Rioja Gran Reserva Tempranillo 2011, Spain, $29 to $34.20 at select Spec’s and Total Wine stores
Catena Zapata “Catena” Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, 2018, Argentina, $19.99 at Spec’s in Lewisville, Sigels, and Total Wine in East Plano
Daou Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, 2019, California, $20 to $26.99 at Central Market, Dallas Fine Wine and Spirits, Sigel’s, Spec’s, Total Wine, and select Kroger and Tom Thumb stores
Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, California, 2017, $33 to $39.99, widely available
Decoy Merlot, Sonoma County, California, $19.99, widely available
Trefethen Family Vineyards Merlot, Oak Knoll District, Napa, California, $39.99 to $44.99 at Sigel’s and Dallas Fine Wine and Spirits
Inexpensive party wines
When you’re throwing a big party on a budget, you’ll want approachable wines that won’t set you back much. Aim for easy-drinking wines with enough acidity to pair well with food. “If you want to make it easy on yourself, get one red, one white, and one sparkling wine,” Uygur says.
Sauvignon blanc and chardonnay are popular whites for parties, and these wines can have extreme differences in body and palate, depending on the styles you choose, she says. “It’s clean, zippy New Zealand sauvignon blanc on one end and buttery oaky chardonnay on the other,” Uygur says. Her solution, if choosing just one, is to serve pinot gris or pinot grigio. “Pinot Gris is a good way to go straight down the middle (between chardonnay and sauvignon blanc). It’s an aim-at-the-middle crowd-pleaser,” she says. Uygur favors pinot gris from Oregon and Alsace.
Courtney Luscher of Pogo’s and theluschlist.com is also a fan of pinot gris, but she likes to offer a variety of wine styles to include “more than just the usual suspects.” Among her alternative whites for parties is verdejo, a crisp and dry Spanish wine with refreshing citrus and herbal notes.
For reds, go for wines that aren’t overly tannic or sweet. Guests will gravitate to pinot noir, merlot, and softer style cabernet sauvignon. A fruity garnacha would also be a crowd pleaser.
With the exception of a couple of wines listed below, our suggestions are under $15.
For those on a tighter budget, Botamer recommends the Bogle cabernet sauvignon, petite syrah, and chardonnay: All can be found for under $10. “For the money, they’re amazing,” he says. Russo’s party picks under $10 include Chateau Ste. Michelle chardonnay, and the Estancia merlot and pinot grigio. You can also find some good value Spanish wines for under $10, depending on where you shop. The wines we’ve listed as widely available are sold at discount stores and large supermarkets as well as liquor stores.
White wine suggestions:
Justin Sauvignon Blanc, Central Coast, 2020, California, $14.29 to $15.99; widely available
Chateau Ste. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc, $7.77 to $10.99, widely available
Louis Jadot Macon Villages Chardonnay, Burgundy, 2020, France, $9.97 to $13.99, widely available
Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay 2020, Washington, $8.49, widely available
Bogle Vineyards Chardonnay, California, 2020, $7.86 to $11, widely available
Scarpetta Pinot Grigio, 2019, Italy, $14.03 to $15.99 at Central Market, Sigel’s, select Spec’s, Royal Blue Grocery, Dallas Fine Wines and and select Goody Goody stores
Elk Cove Pinot Gris, Oregon, 2020, $15.99 to $17.99 at Central Market, Spec’s, select Whole Foods stores, Pogo’s and select Total Wine stores
Estancia Pinot Grigio, 2020, California, $7.97 to $10.99, widely available
Naia Verdejo, Rueda, Spain, 2019, $13.49 at Central Market, Specs Total Wine, select Whole Foods Markets
Red wine suggestions:
Honoro Vera Garnacha, 2019, Spain, $6.79 to $8.31 at Total Wine and Spec’s
Erath Pinot Noir 2019, Oregon, $14.99 to $15.97, widely available
Meiomi Pinot Noir 2019, California, $15.97, widely available
Estancia Merlot, Central Coast 2019, California, $8.97 to $10.99, widely available
J Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, 2019, California, $11.97 to $14.99, widely available
Bogle Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, $7.47 to $10.99, widely available
Sparkling wines
Nothing’s more festive in a glass than sparkling wine. Fortunately, the plethora of sparklers on the market includes bubbly wine for every budget.
“Think beyond Champagne and Prosecco,” Uygur says. She encourages exploring a variety of affordable sparkling wines, from Cremants and Cavas to New World sparklers. Uygur urges Champagne lovers on a budget to try Franciacorta, an elegant Italian sparkler. “Think of it as Italy’s answer to Champagne. It’s made by methode Champenoise [secondary bottle fermentation], it’s more complex than Prosecco, and it’s generally less expensive than Champagne,” she says.
Cremant, Cava, and many New World sparklers (think South African, American and Australian sparkling wines) are also made by the methode Champenoise. Cremant is produced in eight regions of France outside of the Champagne region. Cremant de Alsace accounts for most of the Cremant in the market, but you may also find Cremant de Bourgogne, Cremant de Loire, and Cremant de Savoie in some stores.
Cava wines are crisp, dry, Spanish sparklers (predominantly from the Penedes region), with a Denomination of Origin (D.O.) that sets production guidelines. One top producer, Raventos i Blanc, has broken off to establish a separate D.O. with stricter production criteria.
Prosecco, Italy’s most widely produced sparkling wine, undergoes its secondary fermentation in the tank, not the bottle. Fresh and fruity, it’s an easy-drinking bubbly wine and a base for spritz cocktails like the Aperol Spritz. Prosecco labeled DOC (designation of controlled origin) are usually less expensive than those labeled DOCG (designation of controlled origin, and guaranteed), as production requirements for DOCG Prosecco are more stringent.
Sparkling wine suggestions:
Under $20:
Scarpetta Prosecco DOC, Italy, $14.99 to $17.99 at Central Market and Costco
Naveran Brut Cava, Spain, $13.49 to $16.83 at Central Market, Goody Goody on Oak Lawn and Harry Hines, and Spec’s on Central Expy. and in Plano.
Lucien Albrecht Cremant D’ Alsace Brut, France (also rosé), $19.99 to $21.99 at Central Market, Sigel’s, Spec’s, and select Whole Foods Markets
Gruet Brut Sparkling Wine, America, $12.97 to $16.99 at Central Market, Goody Goody, Pogo’s, Sigel’s, and Total Wine
Graham Beck Brut Sparkling Wine, South Africa (also rosé), $18.49 at Central Market, Total Wine
Contado Castaldi Brut Franciacorta, DOCG, Italy, $19.99 at Jimmy’s
Raventos i Blanc, Blanc de Blancs Brut, Spain (also rosé), $18.99 to $23.99 at Central Market, Pogo’s
$20 to $40:
Ca’ del Bosco Cuvée Prestige Brut Franciacorta DOCG, Italy, $35.99 to 39.99 at Jimmy’s, Pogo’s, Eataly, and select Sigel’s stores
Jansz Premium Cuvee Brut, Tasmania, Australia, $24.99 to $26.31 at Pogo’s and Specs
Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs, California, $29.99 to $ 39.99 at Central Market, Pogo’s, Sigel’s, and Total Wine
Duval Leroy Brut Champagne, France, $39.99 at Central Market and Goody Goody in Addison
Tina Danze is a Dallas freelance writer.