Five Alternative Wines for the Unconventional Holiday
The traditional holiday meal with roast turkey, stuffing and sweet potatoes is usually paired with the same wines year-to-year, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. But holiday dinner is changing, it is starting to become more culinary and interesting and so should our wine pairings.
Traditional dishes are being adapted to integrate dishes not only from people’s heritage but also from their travels into their holiday feast. Now more than ever wine pairing plays a key component in Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and other holiday dinners. Together, let’s explore alternative wines waiting to be discovered that are perfect for any holiday celebration.
Mondeuse
A stone’s throw away from the Alps, the Savoie region of France has some incredible undiscovered wines. While most of the wine production here is white wine, the region specializes in a variety called mondeuse. Mondeuse gives light, rustic, and peppery red wines that have just the right balance of bitter cherry fruit, spice, and earth to pair nicely with turkey or even better with game birds that have more distinct flavors like partridge or pheasant.
Frappato
On the breathtaking island of Sicily, plantings of a grape varietal called frappato can be found throughout the island. Wines from this grape are light and fresh, with soft and polished tannins that pair well with delicate meats like turkey or quail. These wines are fruity and full of wild strawberries yet have delicate, sweet spices reminiscent of holiday spices like nutmeg. It even goes well with marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole.
Ploussard
Tucked into the Alps of France, the Jura produces both red and white wine that pairs seamlessly with holiday food. Distinctively light reds are produced from a grape called poulsard or sometimes spelled, ploussard, depending on the village. Poulsard bursts with aromas of tea, forest berries, and bramble. Its high acidity and light body, yet extremely expressive character lends itself to pair seamlessly with delicate flavors like turkey and Cornish hen and equally with more intense flavors like duck.
Savagnin
Hailing from the same region, the Jura, white wine made from the native variety savagnin is an exciting option for dishes with less traditional flavors. These wines are bold and complex due to a unique winemaking method utilized for centuries in this region. These are white wines that have great acid and structure and can stand up to meat. Aromas of apples, raw almonds, and even mushrooms compliment dishes with umami characteristics.
A unique style of chardonnay is also produced in the Jura. It is unlike any other chardonnay in the world with many of the same characteristics as savagnin and would be a great option for holidays.
Amontillado Sherry
In the ancient city of Jerez in southern Spain, where tapas and flamenco reign supreme, lives one of the most complex wines in the world, Sherry. There are five different styles of dry sherry to choose from that are all made in complex aging systems called soleras.
For holidays, try Amontillado, a style that pairs effortlessly with game birds. They even have a saying in Jerez that states, “If it flies, Amontillado.” Sherry also pairs exceptionally with dishes that are classically difficult to pair, like asparagus, mushrooms or olives. It is especially great for holiday meals with Korean or Japanese influences.
As holiday dinner is becoming more innovative, don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and explore new wines. Stepping away from conventional pairings and towards more esoteric ones is often when we find the best pairings and have the best dining experiences.
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