Why do we have wine at Christmas? Is it because it holds a special place in religious festivities? Or because Christmas is a time of gustatory indulgence? Could the only reason be that we just love and miss those after-work Christmas parties?
Luckily, red wine has many proven health benefits if drank in moderation, whatever our reasons may be. It’s packed with antioxidants and has a protective effect on the cardiovascular system. Hence, if you wanted to know what wine is best for cold weather, stocking up on some red wine packs will definitely get your dinner guests’ hearts pumping. Also, you could use some of them to make mulled wine as no Christmas feels complete without it.
What is a Good Christmas Dinner Wine?
Shiraz
Back in the 70s, white wine was so popular that growers were ripping out unprofitable Shiraz and Grenache vineyards, even those with very old vines. If they only knew that it would be Australia’s most popular variety.
In Australia, South Africa and Canada it’s usually called Shiraz while in France, the rest of Europe, Argentina, Chile, New Zealand, Uruguay and most of the USA it’s called Syrah.
Shiraz or Syrah, it probably originated in Iran, was brought to the Rhône, France, and is said that when God invented Shiraz, he did it with Australia in mind. You can experience a unique diversity of Shiraz wine styles brought to you in red wine packs that include some of Australia’s ‘icon’ wines.
Syrah has a very high tannin content and is typically oaked for 6 to 18 months in either American or French oak, As a result, the flavours range from blackberry, chocolate, coffee and mint to tobacco, black pepper and even smoked meat.
There’s no one reason to pinpoint the wide variety Syrah grapes offer. Climate and the ripeness of the grape, however, influence the product immensely. European Syrah is often more tannic, thus, is considered a bit heavier and harsher while New World Shiraz is leaning on the fruitful side.
Meanwhile, there are additional variations in the growing regions themselves. In fact, there’s no single style of Aussie Shiraz. Warmer-climate regions such as the Barossa Valley, Clare Valley and McLaren Vale typically produce powerful, full-flavoured styles with bold, fruity flavours while cooler-climate regions like the Adelaide Hills, the Grampians and Mount Barker in the Great Southern produce lighter, more elegant Shiraz wines, usually with hints of pepper and spice.
Grenache
Originating in Northern Spain, these thick ruby-red or dark blue-skinned grapes amaze with their strawberry, black cherry, raspberry, citrus and cinnamon notes.
Their medium tannin content and acidity allow for the production of either medium or full-bodied wines.
When Grenache was introduced to Australia in the 18th century, it was one of the first grapes to ever take a step down under and it slowly rose up to be the most widely planted grape, until Shiraz took over the throne in the 60ties.
This variety is a strong wood that can survive in windy climates. Its ability to produce very high yields and be resilient to dry, high-temperature climates made it popular in California as well.
Pinot Noir
Considered to have originated in Burgundy, France, Pinot Noir is one of the oldest, most popular and 10 most planted grapes. Australian pinot, however, is structured differently than the original burgundy. Contrary to the original that’s sometimes been rated as lacking fruit and being closed and tannic, Australian Pinot has an undeniable seductive fruitiness.
There is no classic style to the Pinot Noir. Even so, to be rated as a high-quality bottle, it should be medium-bodied (alcohol content between 12.5% and 13.5%), hold enough tannins, has high acidity, and possess notes of berries, herbs, and florals like cherry, raspberry, clove, hibiscus and even mushrooms.
Sparkling Red Wines
The previously held reputation of being too sweet and too cheap has been changing over time as the newest sparkling red wines are anything but.
Not only is Lambrusco having a comeback, the Italian sparkling wine that provoked this trend, but other countries are also stepping into this niche area of wine production. In fact, Australians are enjoying sparkling shiraz at everything from barbecues to brunches and now, Christmas dinners.
What Goes with Red Wine for Dinner?
In Ireland, the UK, the United States and Australia, turkey is still an indispensable part of Christmas dinner.
For your meat-based dishes, a Syrah bottle high in tannin content and acidity is a perfect choice. In addition, Syrah is excellent for pairing with red meat dishes if they’re grilled or barbecued as it’s a full-body wine with a smoky and peppery flavour. Also, it’s a great match with pasta and cheeses. Another wine that goes great with hard cheeses is Port.
Grenache is great with pork or lamb and also with well-seasoned and spiced foods like goulash or light curries. If you’re a fan of UK dishes like sausage, mash, shepherd's pie, and steak/kidney pies, you’ll love them, even more, when you pair them with Grenache. In addition, since it has fewer tannins than more structured red wines, it plays well soft and semi-soft cheeses.
Last but not least, if you choose Pinot noir with lighter alcohol content, preparing some root vegetables, duck, salmon, mushrooms is the way to go. Also, don’t be afraid to use tomato-based or black fruit-based sauces. The versatility of Pinot allows for it to be paired with virtually anything.
