Christmas

One on hand, much of the same ideas around Thanksgiving wine can be used for Christmas…but they really only apply if you’re in the US. Christmas is observed in many more places and with a much wider variety of unique customs and traditions. With that in mind, my first and only steadfast rule of wine applies…drink what you like! 

Personally, my ideal Christmas Day wine lineup starts with mimosas with dry prosecco in the morning, white Burgundy with cheese in the afternoon, Champagne with appetizers before dinner, red Burgundy, Beaujolais or Merlot with duck (much preferred over ham) and some Port or Sherry with dessert to finish a lovely day of great wine. 

Holidays such as Christmas are the ideal time to open “the good stuff.” However, the definition of what’s good to one person or family could be drastically different than another’s. This is where context is very important. One family’s celebration wine is another’s everyday wine. The wine may be the same but the perception and the experience between those two scenarios are very different. 

This is what I love about wine. Any bottle can be perceived an infinite number of ways depending on who is drinking it. While you open some great bottles during this holiday season, think about how and why you’re enjoying that glass and how it may be the same or different from anyone else sipping from the same bottle. If you visit friends, bring something you like and hopefully they’ll open one of their favorites and maybe have a chat about why those wines were chosen. 

During this Christmas season, share some bottles, a few stories, lots of laughs and good cheer for the next year.