Quick answer: For Christmas dinner, pour Champagne to start, Pinot Noir or Riesling with turkey and ham, Cabernet Sauvignon or Bordeaux with prime rib and beef tenderloin, and Port or Sauternes with dessert and the cheese board.
Christmas is the year’s biggest celebration meal, and it deserves wines to match. Unlike Thanksgiving, where one menu dominates, Christmas tables vary widely: prime rib, glazed ham, turkey, goose, seafood feasts, or all of the above. Here is how to pair wine with each.
Start With Sparkling
Bubbles make any gathering feel festive. Champagne, Crémant, Cava, Franciacorta, or English sparkling wine work with appetizers, smoked salmon, oysters, and cheese straws. A sparkling rosé adds color to the table.
Best Wine by Christmas Main Course
Prime Rib or Standing Rib Roast
Rich, marbled beef needs a structured red. Choose Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux, Barolo, or Rioja Gran Reserva. Our wine with steak guide explains why tannin and fat work together.
Beef Tenderloin or Beef Wellington
Leaner tenderloin and buttery pastry pair best with elegant reds: Merlot, Right Bank Bordeaux, or red Burgundy.
Glazed Ham
Sweet and salty ham pairs well with off dry Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Beaujolais, or sparkling rosé. Avoid tannic reds, which clash with the glaze.
Roast Turkey
As at Thanksgiving, choose versatile wines: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, or Chenin Blanc. See our Thanksgiving wine guide for side dish pairings.
Roast Goose or Duck
Rich, fatty poultry wants high acid reds with red fruit. Pinot Noir from Burgundy or Oregon is classic, and German Spätburgunder is a traditional choice.
Lamb
Herb roasted leg of lamb pairs with Rioja, Bordeaux, Syrah, or Châteauneuf du Pape.
Feast of the Seven Fishes and Seafood
Italian seafood feasts call for crisp whites: Vermentino, Verdicchio, Soave, Pinot Grigio, and Prosecco. For richer dishes like lobster, choose Chardonnay or Champagne.
Vegetarian Mains
Mushroom Wellington or wild mushroom risotto pairs beautifully with Pinot Noir or Nebbiolo. Butternut squash dishes love Viognier or off dry Riesling.
The Christmas Cheese Board
A cheese board after dinner is a holiday tradition in much of Europe. Build yours with:
- Stilton with vintage or tawny Port, the classic British Christmas pairing
- Brie or Vacherin Mont d’Or with Champagne or Chardonnay
- Aged Cheddar or Comté with Pinot Noir or Cabernet
- Membrillo, fig jam, walnuts, and grapes on the side
Get more ideas in our blue cheese guide, charcuterie board guide, and best breads for a cheese board.
Christmas Dessert Wines
- Christmas pudding or fruitcake: tawny Port, Pedro Ximénez Sherry, Madeira
- Yule log (bûche de Noël) and chocolate: ruby Port, Banyuls, Brachetto d’Acqui
- Panettone: Moscato d’Asti or Vin Santo
- Gingerbread and spiced cookies: late harvest Riesling, tawny Port
- Cheesecake: Sauternes or late harvest Riesling
Mulled Wine
For a cozy gathering, warm an inexpensive fruity red like Garnacha or Merlot with orange peel, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and a little sugar or honey. Keep it below a simmer so the alcohol does not cook off.
How Much Wine to Buy for Christmas
Plan about half a bottle per adult guest for dinner, plus one bottle of sparkling for every four to six guests for toasts. Add a bottle of Port or dessert wine for every eight to ten guests.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best wine for Christmas dinner?
It depends on the main course. Cabernet Sauvignon or Bordeaux suits prime rib, Pinot Noir suits turkey and goose, and off dry Riesling suits glazed ham. Champagne works throughout the meal.
What wine goes with Christmas ham?
Off dry Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Beaujolais, and sparkling rosé pair best with glazed ham because their fruit and acidity balance its sweet and salty flavor.
What wine goes with prime rib?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux blends, Barolo, and Rioja Gran Reserva are excellent with prime rib.
What is the traditional Christmas cheese and wine pairing?
Stilton with Port is the classic British Christmas pairing.
