Christmas and New Year’s will be here before you know it. We have quick tips to help you select the type and amount of wine you need, whether you’re hosting or bringing wine to the party.
What wine to serve or bring?
Generally, lighter bodied reds go well with the subtle flavors of Turkey (think Gamay, Barbera, Pinot Noir). Wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec go with heartier meals featuring heavier meat like Roast Beef. With ham, try a Grenache or Rose. Serving crab or seafood? Go with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay.
If you’re not sure what’s on the menu, bring a nice sparkling wine: Prosecco, Cava or Champaigne, to kick off the pre-dinner fun. Also, a smooth drinking Merlot often can pair with any of the above meals.
Wine Folly has a great detailed article on holiday wine pairing and dives into the various flavors of the season to help you make great choices.
How much wine do I need?
There are 5 glasses in a bottle of wine. If there are 5 of you, you will want to provide 2 bottles for everyone to have 2 glasses, 3 bottles for everyone to have 3 glasses, and probably a safe ride home. You be the judge.
What if there’s leftover wine?
If your guests were very generous and you are left with several opened bottles of wine, you can:
- Vacuum seal the opened bottles with a Vacu-vin. This will remove air and keep the wine for another 5 days +/-
- Freeze the wine in ice-cube trays to make wine cubes. You can later use the wine cubes in cooking or as an extra pop of flavor in a glass of sparkling. A really yummy combination is port mixed with sparkling.
Happy Holidays!
