Come Christmas and families get together for a grand feast. Turkey, ham and cakes become as important as the gifts and the laughter. But what’s Christmas without wine? The best of the wines get into the glasses as guests and families get together.
As they say, the first impression is the last impression. Same goes for the first toast that u raise before the dinner starts, marking the beginning of the celebrations. However, choosing the right wine is not an easy task and there are a number of factors to be considered.
Champagne/Sparkling wine
The best known sparkling wine is the Champagne and it is a must at the Christmas dinner. The best Champagne comes from the namesake area and has a reputation of its own. Three types of grapes are used in making the best of Champagne, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Some champagne have all three grapes while some might have only one or two. Champagne is best served with starters.
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Champagne Krug Vintage Brut with Collection Giftbox 1989
Dom Perignon 1982
Louis Roederer Cristal Brut 1996
Red Wine
Red wine, perhaps one of the most common and most consumed varieties of wine comes from the best of red grapes. There are 40 different varieties of red wine consumed globally. What makes it different from white wine is the color of the grape skin and the time the juice spends inside the skin. The best of red wines come from Burgundy and Champagne in France and parts of California. Red wine is served best with the main course and makes a great pair with turkey.
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Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages 2009
Williams Selyem Westside Road Neighbours Pinot Noir 2011
White wine
White wine differ from the red owns not just in taste and color but also the method of preparation. The golden-white color not just comes from the grape skin but sometimes also from the wood of the barrel in which they get stored. The best of the white wine comes from France, Italy and some parts of Spain. These are served best with the main course, preferably towards the end of the meal.
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Chateau d’Yquem “Y” 2005
Joseph Drouhin Montrachet Marquis de Laguiche 2006
Marcassin Marcassin Vineyard Chardonnay 2008
Dessert Wine
The best way to wash down your meal and end it on a sweet note, port or dessert wines are delicious to taste. Choose from Port, Sherry, Tokay or Sauternes, there are many more. Pair them up with cheese and cream and you are in for a treat. These wines vary in sweetness, color, alcohol content and texture.
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Chateau Guiraud Sauternes 2005
Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port 2011
Quinta do Noval Vintage Port 2011