Christmas Wines: 15 Best Wines to Serve and Gift in 2021

20 Exotic Christmas Wine Bottles to Serve and Gift in 2024

by Anthony Zhang

Looking for that perfect wine bottle for Christmas? No better way to enjoy that succulent turkey at a Christmas dinner than with the perfect glass of wine!

Perhaps you also want to gift a fine bottle of Christmas wine to your wine lover friends.

Read on for the best Christmas wine suggestions this season - red wine, white wine, sparklers, roses, and dessert wine handpicked from around the world! Also, find out how to serve and store it, and some festive wine recipe ideas.

Red Wine for a Dash of Boldness

You can’t go wrong with red wine at Christmas.

There’s nothing like a light, delicate Pinot Noir that goes well with almost anything (even fish). Or pick a soft, agreeable Merlot instead. A bold Cabernet Sauvignon is also easy to balance if you’re serving red meats like beef or venison.

Can you drink red wine with turkey?

Yes. It’s the ultimate traditional Christmas wine to complement a savory plate of roast turkey, gravy, and potatoes.

Here are four fine reds to add warmth to your dinner table:

2017 Catena Zapata 'Catena' Malbec ($22)
2017 Hartford Family Winery Hartford Court Land's Edge Vineyards Pinot Noir ($45)
2018 Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon ($92)
2015 Masseto Toscana IGT ($952)

1. 2017 Catena Zapata 'Catena' Malbec ($22)

Here’s a wonderful full-bodied Malbec with a round and refined palate that reveals dark fruit, chocolate, and spice flavor notes. Pair this rich wine with some cheese appetizers or a juicy steak.

2. 2017 Hartford Family Winery Hartford Court Land's Edge Vineyards Pinot Noir ($45)

This is wonderfully structured, layered, and concentrated Pinot Noir. On the nose, there’s a youthful, opulent dark fruit aroma with hints of raspberry, cherry, and cola. Fine tannin, with a perfect amount of acidity and minerality, characterizes the palate.

3. 2018 Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon ($92)

Velvet tannins, blackberry, and chocolate flavours are the hallmarks of this Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.This wine is a great crowd-pleaser that will definitely fit your Christmas dinner table with its jolly red cherry aroma and soft, balanced palate.

4. 2015 Masseto Toscana IGT ($952)

This famous Super Tuscan Merlot wine is ripe with blackcurrant, cranberry, graphite, and spice on the nose. Dense with dark fruit flavours, it’s explosive and full on the palate with a very long finish.

White Wine for a Touch of Sophistication

Need something to match that seafood appetizer?

Look no further than a bottle of white wine. It’s easy to drink, even for those unfamiliar with the world of wine.

A glass of Chardonnay or an off-dry Vouvray will sit nicely with your chicken, duck, and fish dishes on Christmas day. Or, treat your holiday guests to a pour of low-alcohol Moscato after dinner!

Check out these elegant white wine bottles to sip from your crystal stemware:

2019 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc ($30)
2016 Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Rangen de Thann Clos Saint Urbain ($94)
2019 Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Kabinett ($179)
2015 Coche-Dury Meursault ($902)

5. 2019 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc ($30)

As one of the most popular Sauvignon Blanc wines from New Zealand, this tipple will not disappoint. The fragrant citrus nose gives way to tropical fruit and gooseberry flavours with hints of grass and ginger.

Pair a glass of this elegant white with vegetarian food and goat cheese.

6. 2016 Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Rangen de Thann Clos Saint Urbain 2016 ($94)

This flinty Pinot Gris comes from the hillsides of French Alsace. It’s imbued with the aroma of mirabelle plum, beeswax, gooseberry, and white flowers. Flavorful and rich, this wine has a lively acidity and a stony minerality, ending with a long finish.

7. 2019 Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Kabinett ($179)

Elegant fruity notes with a distinct petrol fragrance mark this wine. The palate has apple and pear fruit flavours with delicate minerality and beeswax hints. A refreshing mouthfeel and bright acidity give this Riesling a delightful raciness and sharpness.

8. 2015 Coche-Dury Meursault ($902)

This is a wonderful Chardonnay wine from Cote de Beaune, France. The wonderfully nuanced nose opens with citrus and jasmine notes which transition into delicate vanilla, butter, and oak flavours. The finish is long, with zesty acidity and pleasant minerality.

Drink Blush with Rose Wines

Roses have this ‘summer drink’ reputation, but they’re great all year round!

If you’re unsure whether to serve white or red wine or which would make a better wine gift, a good quality Rose is your answer.

Rose wine is incredibly versatile and can pair with turkey or poultry, vegetables, seafood, or steak. It makes an attractive centerpiece for your dinner table with its delicate pink hue, and it can brighten up your Christmas wine gift basket!

Here are some lovely pinks to please your palate:

2020 Chateau d'Esclans Cotes de Provence Whispering Angel Rose ($23)
2018 Chateau Miraval Cotes de Provence Rose ($26)
2011 R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Gran Reserva Rosado ($72)
2017 Domaine Prieure Roch Bourgogne 'Roses' Rose ($240)

9. 2020 Chateau d'Esclans Cotes de Provence Whispering Angel Rose ($23)

This elegant Rose is dry and light on the palate, with dominant red fruit notes and underlayers of melon, apricot, and citrus. Every sip of this classic Rose comes with bright acidity and a refreshing minerality that leaves you craving for more.

10. 2018 Chateau Miraval Cotes de Provence Rose ($26)

This Provencal Rose has beautiful peachy hues and elegant strawberry and cherry aroma. The palate reveals rich, fruity citrus, melon, and apple layers, followed by a pleasant aftertaste and racy acidity.

11. 2011 R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Gran Reserva Rosado ($72)

This Rioja Red Blend Rose (a mix of Tempranillo, Garnacho, and Viura) has a fresh nose dominated by herbal notes. The intense, acidic, and concentrated palate comes with red fruit flavor, spice, and plenty of minerality towards the long finish.

12. 2017 Domaine Prieure Roch Bourgogne 'Roses' Rose ($240)

Vibrant and pure, with aroma notes of lovely raspberry fruit, this is an exciting Pinot Noir blush wine. The palate is fresh, silky, and complex, with a balanced and long finish. This is a fine Rose to match with salads and green vegetables.

Add Some Fizz with Vivacious Sparklers

Sparkling wine is a crowd-pleaser with its cheerful effervescence and wide range of tastes from brut to doux. It’s the perfect addition to add some sparkle to your Christmas party. Or tuck it below the Christmas tree as a sumptuous Christmas gift.

Have roast goose on the menu?

Get ready to pop the cork of a fine Champagne bottle to make a perfect pairing for that juicy meat. You can also match your bubbly with seafood appetizers or turn it into a sweet companion for dessert.

Check out these delicious sparkling wine ideas to brighten your holiday party:

La Marca Prosecco ($16)
2004 Gramona Enoteca Brut Nature ($130)
Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades Silver Blanc de Blancs ($687)
1993 Dom Perignon P3 Plenitude Brut ($3,208)

13. La Marca Prosecco ($16)

This is a delightful sparkling wine with medium acidity and playful bubbles. The flavor profile includes lemon, grapefruit, and apple notes highlighted by rich honey and mineral underlayers.

14. 2004 Gramona Enoteca Brut Nature ($130)

Here we have a traditional Spanish Cava blend with an elegant dry palate. The nose has subtle hazelnut aromas followed by toast and butter flavors that lead to an elegant mineral finish.

15. Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades Silver Blanc de Blancs ($687)

A classy Champagne made with 100% Chardonnay grapes, this Armand de Brignac has wonderful tree fruit flavors. White truffle aromas and earthy undertones accompany the palate.

16. 1993 Dom Perignon P3 Plenitude Brut ($3,208)

Opulence and ripeness characterize the nose of this Brut Champagne from the celebrated producer Moet & Chandon. The rich and dense palate of golden fruit provides an energetic freshness to this brilliant sparkler. Make this an elegant pairing for seafood appetizers on Christmas Eve.

Dessert Wine for Your Sweet Tooth

Who doesn’t love a good dessert wine to end dinner?

Think of delicate Sauternes or syrupy Tokaji Aszu to counter the bitterness of a dark chocolate treat. Or perhaps a traditional fortified wine like Port or Sherry to settle into an evening with family by the Christmas tree.

Whatever your preference, dessert wines truly shine during the holiday season. They’re an excellent complement to that cinnamon-laden Christmas pudding or a decadent fruit dessert.

Experience some intense sweetness with these dessert wines:

2015 J. Vidal-Fleury Muscat de Beaumes de Venise Reserve ($34)
2014 Chateau d'Yquem ($384)
2004 Quinta do Noval Nacional Vintage Port ($743)
2007 Royal Tokaji Essencia ($1,455)

17. 2015 J. Vidal-Fleury Muscat de Beaumes de Venise Reserve ($34)

This irresistible Moscato wine has mesmerizing aromas of beeswax, ginger, and honeysuckle. The palate has dominant apricot and peach flavors with floral hints of rose petals.

18. 2014 Chateau d'Yquem ($384)

With an enchanting golden color and a great sweetness balance, this wine is a liquid dessert in a glass. The opulent aroma bouquet is followed by apricot, almond, and honey flavor notes and floral hints.

19. 2004 Quinta do Noval Nacional Vintage Port ($743)

This elegant fortified wine has a deep ruby color. It is rich and layered with dark berries, star anise, and a touch of eucalyptus. The palate offers a fresh acidity, ripe tannin, and spices with perfect balance and a rich yet subtle long finish.

20. 2007 Royal Tokaji Essencia ($1,455)

Tokaji Aszu wine is the world’s oldest sweet wine, produced since the 1600s in the Tokaj region. This 2007 vintage has a palate that electrifies with the sweetness of apricot, marmalade, and Japanese plum. Full-bodied and beautifully balanced with fine acidity, it offers the aromas of fresh apricot and tea.

Apart from sipping wine in a glass, there are many other ways to enjoy this festive drink during Christmas!

Festive Christmas Wine Cocktail Ideas

You could try out some of these ideas.

1. Mulled Wine to Warm your Soul

Wine heated with spice was first recorded in 2nd century Rome, which evolved into a Christmas tradition. In mulled wine, you’ll often find combinations of cinnamon, nutmeg, star anise, clove, ginger, cardamom, orange, or lemon.

There’s no set recipe for this Christmas drink. Grab any red wine you have. Throw in the spices you prefer, some honey, sugar (or brown sugar), and simmer the mix.

When serving your mulled wine, decorate it with a couple of cinnamon sticks as well.

2. Fruit-up with a White Christmas Sangria

Sangria is simply a concoction of wine and fruit. For a White Christmas sangria, all you have to do is add fruits to white wine (for example, Chenin Blanc or Pinot Grigio) and chill it.

For this easy wine recipe, you can use any fruit you like — but grapes, apples, and cranberries add some Christmas colors to the drink. If you want a bit of fizz, add some sparkling grape juice, or use sparkling wine instead of white wine.

3. Party with Mimosas

Have some sparkling wine and orange juice lying about?

Use them to make Mimosas! This cocktail is fun to drink, easy to make, and an excellent option for greeting guests or serving at a Christmas brunch.

The basic mimosa is equal parts sparkling wine and orange juice, but you can always cut the wine ratio if you don’t want guests to get tipsy too early. Create variations with cranberry or pineapple juice and a dash of Grand Marnier.

Now, finding a great wine to serve at Christmas or as the perfect gift for a Christmas wine basket could be overwhelming.

6 Tips on Choosing Christmas Wines

You could go for a light Moscato d’Asti, a sparkling Asti Spumante, or a more intense red Bordeaux blend — if that’s what you like. If you have trouble deciding, here are some quick tips:

Pick wines that will enhance your Christmas dishes. If you're serving turkey and other meats, it’s best to go with a juicy red wine. On the other hand, a Rose or white wine pairing will better match light salmon with vegetables.

Pick wines with Christmas spices. Look for wines with taste profiles like plum, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, spice bread, star anise, licorice. These will complement Christmas dishes that often use the same spices.

Pick wines in different styles. Maybe start with a sparkling Spanish Cava with appetizers, and move on to a red Syrah for the main course and a Moscato for dessert.

Opt for magnums if you can. One standard 750 ml bottle is usually only five servings, so buy magnums if you plan to serve many. At 1.5 liters, a magnum is the equivalent of two wine bottles.

Select wines from top regions. The holiday season is the best time to pick wines from various wine regions in France, Italy, or Spain. Mix in bottles of New World wines from the California wine country or Australia.

Find a good vintage. Do some research and get a good vintage that is ready to be opened.

Now that you’ve picked your Christmas wine - what’s the best way to serve and store them?

How to Serve and Store Your Holiday Wines

If you don’t have a wine cellar, keep your wine in a dark and dry place before it’s time to pop the cork.

On Christmas Day or the day of the party, there are a couple of things you need to think of:

Chill your wine. If you need to do it in a hurry, submerge the wine bottles in a bucket of ice water and some salt. Or wrap it in a wet cloth and keep it in the freezer for about 10 minutes - and don’t forget about it!

Keep the white wine and sparklers cool even in the glass. The longer your wine stays in the glass, the warmer it gets. Freeze some grapes and use them as ice cubes instead of regular ice, which will melt and dilute the wine.

Filter if the wine cork crumbles into the wine. After filtering, taste to make sure the wine quality isn't compromised. If it's a very old wine, you may want to filter straight into a wine glass instead of a decanter to minimize oxidation.

Decant fully or uncork when ready to drink. You don’t have to take out the cork early unless you plan to decant fully.

How long will wine keep once opened? Most still wines stay fresh around 3-5 days, sparkling wines last about 1-3 days, and fortified wine up to 28 days. Remember to close it with the cork and store it in the fridge or a cool, dark spot.

Now, buying wine for Christmas or any other occasion may seem easy.

But you’ll have to identify the best wines, pick the right bottles at the right prices, have them delivered safely, and make arrangements to store them properly. It gets even more complicated if you want to store the bottles for the long term.

You’d be better off if you have the entire process handled by a wine investment company like Vinovest, which can buy, store, and sell all your wine bottles for you!

Have a Very Merry Christmas!

It’s the season for Christmas gift-hunting, party planning, and stocking up with food, wine, and beer. Don’t forget to pack the choicest wine gifts in a festive gift basket to please your wine lover friends as well!

Get your perfect bottle of wine (for drinking at Christmas or for long-term investing) through Vinovest, and rest assured that you’ll be able to build an enviable wine collection from the comfort of your home.