Christmas Tasting Box

For the traditional Danish Christmas dinner

The Danish Christmas dinner can be a flavor explosion with fatness, acidity and sweetness. It requires a wine with intensity, balance and preferably a certain richness.  

Red wine

Pinot Noir - A French Pinot Noir, especially from Burgundy, can be an elegant choice as it has a good balance between fruit and acidity. Burgundy wines can add a nice lightness to otherwise heavy Christmas food. Alternatively, try a New Zealand Pinot Noir, which is often a little more fruit-driven but still has a fresh acidity. Amarone - A full-bodied and powerful Amarone from Veneto in Italy is a classic choice for Christmas. Amarone wines have deep, dried fruit notes like prunes and raisins that match the caramelized notes of the roast pork and the juiciness of the duck. The high alcohol content also helps balance the fatty Christmas food. Zinfandel - If you want something with a fruit bomb, a Zinfandel from California can be perfect. It's often packed with dark berry flavors, spice and a hint of sweetness to match the complexity of Christmas food.  

White wine

Riesling (semi-dry or dry) - A Riesling from Mosel in Germany, either dry or semi-dry, can be a refreshing choice. It has both acidity and a fruit sweetness that goes well with the sweet and savory elements of Christmas dinner. Chenin Blanc - A Chenin Blanc, especially from the Loire, has slightly higher acidity and a lovely fruit flavor that can handle the spicy dishes. It's a wine with a full-bodied structure, but at the same time it has a freshness that can break through the fatness.  

Sparkling wine

Champagne or Cremant - A glass of dry Champagne or Cremant de Bourgogne is a festive and delicious start to Christmas dinner. The small bubbles and acidity cleanse the palate and act as an elegant contrast to the heavy meal. A Champagne with a little more body, such as a Blanc de Noirs, can also stand up to being served with the first courses. Many people today are opting for lighter alternatives to the heavy, traditional Christmas meal - perhaps a turkey, vegetarian dishes or fish. Here are some wines that suit a lighter, modern Christmas table.  

Red wine

Gamay - A light and fresh Gamay from Beaujolais in France goes well with lighter meat and vegetarian dishes. It's light and fruity with low tannin, making it very food-friendly. Sangiovese - A Sangiovese from Tuscany, such as Chianti Classico, can also be a good choice. It often has good acidity and cherry and herb flavors, which are perfect for Mediterranean-inspired Christmas dishes.  

White wine

Chardonnay (off the cask) - A fresh and fruity Chardonnay, especially from Chablis in France, can be a great choice for fish, seafood or lighter dishes. It has a crisp acidity and minerality that adds an elegant touch. Grüner Veltliner - A wine from Austria known for its fresh and slightly spicy taste. It works well with vegetarian dishes, poultry and fish. Grüner Veltliner has a good balance between acidity and fruit, making it very food-friendly.

For the Christmas party

The Christmas lunch table is a world of dishes like herring, liver pate and tartlets. This calls for wines with both acidity and structure to match the variety of flavors.  

White wine

Riesling Kabinett - A slightly sweet Riesling Kabinett from Germany is an obvious choice. It has high acidity and a slight sweetness that goes well with herring and dishes with a little salt and acidity. Albariño - An Albariño from Rias Baixas in Spain is also a great choice for seafood. It's fresh and citrusy with a slightly salty minerality that goes well with Nordic fish dishes.  

Rosé

Dry rosé from Provence - A rosé with low tannin and high acidity can actually be a great match for a Danish Christmas lunch. Provence rosés have the right balance of fruit and freshness to complement both fish and lighter meat dishes. Beer and schnapps While wine is obvious, a good Christmas brew and schnapps can't be underestimated either. Consider serving beer as a sidecar to the wines, especially if you have guests who prefer a good Christmas beer with lunch.  

For dessert and Christmas treats

When it comes to dessert, which often includes risalamande, or perhaps some marzipan and chocolate, a sweet wine is required to balance the dessert without being too overwhelming.  

Sweet wine

Sauternes - A classic for dessert! This French sweet wine from Bordeaux has notes of honey, apricot and nuts that are perfect with risalamande and other creamy desserts. Recioto della Valpolicella - An Italian dessert wine made from dried grapes, like Amarone, but with a sweet profile. It goes well with chocolate and nuts. Port - A good tawny port with notes of dried fruits and nuts can also be a good choice. It goes particularly well with chocolate and marzipan.  

General tips for Christmas wine

Balance is key - Choose wines with a good balance of acidity and fruit to stand up to the many layers of flavors of Christmas food. Consider the alcohol content - Wines with a slightly higher alcohol content can better handle the richness of the food, but avoid choosing too strong wines for light dishes. Consider the temperature - Serve red wines a little cooler than you might be used to. This can bring out the fruit and give the wine more freshness. With these suggestions, you're ready to choose the perfect wine for your Christmas Eve, whether you stick to the classic dishes or go for a lighter approach. Merry Christmas and cheers!