The holiday season is all about singing carols, decorating the house, and indulging in all your favourite dishes (wine included!). Whether your family takes the traditional route of a ham roast at home or heads outdoors for an all-day feast, figuring out which dishes pair well with the right type of wine is no easy feat. Paired with the right flavour profile, you’ll have your guests begging for seconds.
To take the guesswork out of this year’s holiday dinner prep and make you look like a Master Sommelier, we’ve rounded up six mouth-watering food and wine pairings you’ll want to put on your menu ASAP!
APPETISERS
Grilled Prawn, Watermelon, and Tomato Salad
It’s not the holidays without serving fresh, grilled prawns! This dish is the perfect combination of sweet, salty, and refreshing. And if you want to take this appetiser to the next level, add watermelon to the grill—it’ll pack this simple salad with tons of flavour.
Best wine to pair: Sauvignon Blanc or Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
Get the full recipe from Gourmet Traveller.
Beef Meat Pie
With a flaky, buttery crust and a warm, savoury filling, this meat pie recipe will be a family favourite. If you plan to spend the day indoors, you can make these tasty morsels in a muffin pan, so they’re the right size for an appetiser. Don’t forget to cook up a big batch—these will go fast, and you’ll be thankful for any leftovers the next day!
Get the full recipe from Taste.
ENTREES
Christmas Ham with Pineapple Glaze
Sweet, sticky, and delicious! With a beautiful caramelisation on the outside, this holiday crowd-pleaser will make you look like an award-winning chef. The best part of this main dish is it doesn’t require many ingredients, so it’s simple and easy to make. Pro tip: Choose a bone-in ham to give it an extra boost of flavour.
Best wine to pair: Classic Dry Red or Riesling
Get the full recipe from Delicious.
Garlic and Oregano Chicken with Smashed Cucumbers
Headed to the beach for a day of feasting and fun in the sun? With notes of citrus from the lemon and tang from the Greek yoghurt, this grilled chicken recipe will quickly get the attention of everyone you’re with (and even those you’re not with!). Topped with fresh cucumbers, you’ll feel full yet refreshed for a fun, family-filled holiday outside.
Best wine to pair: Colombard Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc
Get the full recipe from Delicious.
DESSERTS
Peach and Raspberry Pavlova
Summer’s heat is in full swing, which means you need a cool and light dessert to finish up your holiday dinner party! This fruit pavlova has a luscious layer of crunchy meringue, sweet peaches, and tangy raspberries that make for a delicious yet guilt-free treat. Seconds, anyone?
Best wine to pair: Riesling or Classic Fruity Wine
Get the full recipe from The Scout Guide.
Ginger Cream Biscuit Log
An easy no-cook dessert had to make it on our round-up of food and wine pairings to serve this holiday season. Not only will this decadent cake fill your home with the sweet scent of ginger and caramel, but it’ll end your day of feasting on a high note. It’s so tasty, don’t be alarmed if there’s not a single crumb left!
Get the full recipe from Taste.
This time of the year is all about spending quality moments with family while indulging in eats we dream about all year long (our eyes are set on a tasty pavlova!). No matter where you’re celebrating the day—at home or outdoors—the most important thing to remember when pairing food and wine this holiday is to drink wines you love with food that brings you joy. We hope this pairing guide will take the stress and guesswork out of making your holiday a success.
Happy holidays from the Winesmiths family!