Planning a holiday feast is a massive undertaking. Besides labouring over the menu and paying meticulous attention to every small detail, an oft-overlooked factor – but a crucial one – is how to pair your wine with your food.
Choosing wine pairings can be a challenge when you’re working with a variety of dishes at the table. There’s no single wine that can perfectly match fatty cuts of meat while at the same time complementing grilled vegetables and other accoutrements. Your guests may also have distinct preferences. The best approach is to pick two palatable wines that will leave you free to focus on your hosting duties.
A universal white
Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc – Marlborough, NZ
“My go-to white wine for holiday entertaining is Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand,” says celebrity chef Mark McEwan. “The wine is vibrant and crisp with grapefruit and passion fruit notes. It’s a great way to start off the evening and an easy way to impress your guests straight away.” This is a wine that guests can enjoy from the start of the evening until the last bite of dessert.
A bold red
Campo Viejo Reserva – La Rioja, Spain
No holiday feast would be complete without the main attraction: a platter of roast meat. To match the main course, choose a wine that will complement the meat’s bold flavours. Campo Viejo’s Reserva wine speaks loudly of ripe blackberries, cherries and black plums. It finishes off with a slight touch of cloves and black pepper.
YOU'RE IN LUCK
From Nov. 27 to Jan. 2 in Ontario, grab bottles of Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc for $14.95 (regularly $17.95) and Campo Viejo Reserva for $15.95 (regularly $17.95).
