Christmas meal is crowned with good wine. Wine expert Sari Sirén lists six wine options for the Christmas table. In these wines, price and quality meet.
Sparkling wines
Maset L’avi Pau Gran Reserva Cava Brut Nature 2020 €19.90, Spain ORGANIC
– An elegant and elegantly acidic dry cava with juicy citrus and rich apple flavor. Fine herbs and a hint of roastiness balance the aroma world, which lasts a long time. An excellent Christmas social drink and aperitif, which can also be rolled into a package for those who love bubbles.
– At the dining table for fish-based appetizers and seafood.
L’Extra Par Langlois Crémant de Loire Brut €24.48, France
– A crisp and multidimensional, fresh sparkling wine from Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay. The aromas include citrus, apple, nuttiness and light roastiness. The minerality carries the wine wonderfully. A sparkling wine suitable for many tastes while waiting for gifts and a great welcome bottle.
– At the dining table, on the side of shellfish and smoked fish, also with mild cheeses.
White wines
Richter Estate Riesling 2023 €17.99, Germany
– A semi-sweet and versatile top wine from the Mosel, which is typically wonderfully tart and floral for the region. Green apples and juicy citrus balance the aroma world and make the slight sweetness taste delicious. A versatile wine for the Christmas dinner table and socializing.
– As a semi-sweet, it goes well with many fish dishes and seasoned seafood dishes, also with mild cheeses.
La Chablisienne Chablis Le Finage 2022 €24.99, France
– A very dry and nuanced quality wine. Good acidity and noticeable minerality are characteristic of the region’s wines. Citrus, apples and herbs create a snappy mouthfeel and a really long aftertaste. A fine classic wine for the dinner table as a welcome drink or in a gift box for a lover of Chablis wines.
– A button choice for seafood, light fish and socializing.
Red wines
LAN Xtrème Ecológico Crianza 2020 €16.99, Spain ORGANIC
– Full-bodied and softly tannic classic Tempranillo. The aromas have dark berries, cherry, dried fruits and spices. Good acids give lift and length to a toasty oaky wine. Rioja is one of the traditional Christmas wines and this is a great value for money. An excellent warm wine for the evening.
– Pairs well with strong meats, game and cheeses.
Malma Chacra La Papay Pinot Noir 2022 €16.99, Argentina
– A deliciously fresh and juicy berry wine from Patagonia. The wine is a great package of cranberry, forest berries and spices. Nice roastiness makes the wine mouth-filling and rich.
– Pinot Noir is ham’s friend and, with medium tannins, is suitable for many Christmas dishes or for socializing. Let’s get together with birds and turkey, pates, root boxes and mushrooms.
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What kind of wines do you prefer at the Christmas table, wine expert Sari Sirén?
– On my own Christmas table, there are fresh, lighter-style wines, such as German riesling and pinot noir. Bubbles are of course consumed at the beginning of the meal, and since the main focus is on fish, more white wines are consumed. Pates and ham are also eaten, accompanied by an elegant pinot noir or a juicy barbera. Among the red wines, a classic, Bordeaux or Barolo, ends up pairing well with strong cheeses. We don’t enjoy sweet wines at all, even though their best season is at Christmas.
Do you have an enduring favorite of your own that you can find on the Christmas table every year, or are you looking for new options every year?
– The only long-lasting favorite is champagne, it belongs to Christmas just like Christmas. Otherwise, I try to find new interesting wines, and my own taste seems to change in a lighter direction every year. I prefer small producers, and therefore every year there is something different on the table.
Is there an emerging trend in the wine world this year that can also be seen on people’s Christmas tables this year?
– I believe that freshness and lightness can be seen more and more in Christmas dinner tables and social wines. The popularity of sparkling wines continues, and there are wines in that category for every occasion, even for lovers of sweeter wine. Asti and lambrusco have reared their heads, even with them it works with desserts and milder cheeses, and the latter is really nice paired with various snacks. Christmas champagne can also be replaced with a high-quality and fresher crémant or fruit-driven cava.
– The lower alcohol content can also be seen in the wine choices, and market wines have boosted this trend. Lighter styles are also sought for red wines.