12 Best Christmas Wines to Serve & Gift This Holiday Season
As the holiday season draws near, Christmas wines become a delightful way to elevate festive gatherings with friends and family. Whether you’re searching for the perfect gift or the ideal wine to pair with your holiday feast, here are twelve exceptional bottles to bring cheer to your celebrations this year.
Is Wine a Good Christmas Gift?
Wine can be a great Christmas gift for almost any occasion. The problem is that a generic bottle of red or white can feel a little impersonal. But, when you put a little thought into it, personalizing your wine gift can leave a lasting impression on your recipient and help bring a sense of comradery and community to your holiday season.
One of the best ways to personalize a wine gift at Christmas is to present it as part of a Christmas gift basket. Along with wine-specific baskets, there are several unique Christmas gift box ideas that are made better with a well-paired wine. Pack in everything your recipient loves, include a fun bottle of red or white, and watch the glowing smile that emerges as they open their ideal holiday gift.
The 12 Best Wines of Christmas
1. Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is a holiday classic. It is one of the best wine varieties to give and serve, as it pairs well with many traditional Christmas dinners. Pinot Noir pairs perfectly with light proteins like turkey and chicken. It also enhances cream and cheese dishes. So, it's ideal for festive gatherings.
- Leaning Post – The Fifty Pinot Noir, 2022
- Gray Monk Estate Winery – Pinot Noir, 2022
- Meldville Wines – Pinot Noir Barrel Select, 2019
2. Pinot Grigio
For those who prefer a white wine, Pinot Grigio is another holiday favourite that pairs perfectly with a Christmas turkey dinner. This crisp, light- to medium-bodied wine is great for somebody who enjoys casual sipping. It is also great for serving at holiday parties, and its delicate fruit aromas bring a sense of festive cheer to the celebration.
- Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery – The Louie Pinot Gris, 2019
- Huff Estates – Buried Vine Pinot Gris, 2023
- Roche Wines – Tradition Pinot Gris, 2022
3. Sauvignon Blanc
With a vibrant, fruit-forward experience, Sauvignon Blanc is slightly more acidic than Pinot Grigio. Its tropical and citrus flavours combine to produce an elegant Christmas wine, well-suited for a refined wine drinker or holiday gathering. For food pairings, Sauvignon Blanc goes well with creamy appetizers and white meats, making it the perfect option for a classy Christmas dinner.
- Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery – Sauvignon Blanc, 2023
- Mythology Vineyard – Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, 2022
- Tinhorn Creek Vineyards – Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, 2022
4. Gamay
Similar to Pinot Noir, Gamay is a fruit-forward red wine with distinct notes of red berries and dark fruits. It can have a slightly higher acidity for a zestier mouthfeel and more poignant floral accents than Pinot Noir, making it a great option for any holiday party. Meanwhile, Gamay pairs well with cream and cheese dishes and common light proteins, including chicken and turkey.
- 13th Street Winery – Gamay Sandstone, 2022
- Malivoire Wine Company – Gamay, 2023
- Westcott Vineyards – Gamay, 2022
5. Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc is a parent grape to many popular red wine varieties. It has a robust taste profile, with distinct flavours of strawberries, raspberries, bell pepper, and chilli pepper. As an herbaceous medium-bodied red, Cabernet Franc is the perfect match for herbed holiday meals. It delights when paired with roasted light meats and tomato-based dishes.
- Gold Hill Winery – Cabernet Franc, 2018
- Tinhorn Creek Vineyards – Cabernet Franc, 2021
- Backyard Vineyards – Reserve Cabernet Franc, 2020
6. Merlot
Merlot is a smooth, medium-bodied wine with low acidity that makes it easy to sip throughout the holiday season. The wine's fruity aromas and plum and black cherry flavour profiles go well with a variety of food pairings for a versatile holiday tasting experience. For a special treat, serve Merlot or a Merlot blend alongside veal roasts, turkey dinner, and cheesy dishes.
- Creekside Estate Winery – Red Tractor Cabernet Merlot, 2020
- Redstone Winery – Merlot, 2019
- Tender Hope Winery – Merlot (Kosher KP), 2021
7. Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the best red wines to pair alongside red meat. Its bold flavour profile and high tannin content make it the perfect partner for flavourful dishes, including grilled meats, peppery sauces, and dishes. It is the ideal Christmas wine for serving alongside prime rib, filet mignon, or veal Christmas dinners and makes for a refined sipper come New Year's Eve.
8. Rosé
When choosing the best Christmas wines to gift, it is hard to go wrong with a nice Rosé. Rosés are versatile wines that pair with a variety of holiday dishes, from popular finger foods and appetizers to complete gourmet Christmas dinners. A lighter-style Rosé pairs well with seafood, vegetables, and white meat. Full-bodied options suit a more savoury palate, including grilled or roasted poultry and fried cheeses.
9. Moscato
Moscato is one of the best Christmas dessert wines. Its sweet, fruity taste has hints of orange blossoms, peaches, and nectarines. These pair well with popular holiday sweets like fruit tarts, butterscotch, and creamy desserts. As a sugary indulgence, Moscato makes a great gift for those who prefer sweet wine and a great serving bottle for a holiday gathering.
- Pelee Island Winery – Pelee Moscato
10. Icewine
Icewine is one of the most difficult wines to produce, and nowhere does it quite as well as our Canadian vineyards. Made by processing frozen grapes at around -7º C, Icewine is a delicious dessert wine with an explosive fruit flavour. As such, it is the perfect pairing for a sweet palate, including popular holiday treats like cheesecake, vanilla pound cake, and ice cream.
- Henry of Pelham Estate Winery – Red Icewine, 2018
- Reif Estate Winery – Vidal Icewine, 2021
- Malivoire Wine Company – Riesling Icewine, 2019
11. Chardonnay
Chardonnay is one of the world's most popular wines. This is largely thanks to its versatility. Depending on winemaking techniques, Chardonnay can come in a variety of different styles. Oaked Chardonnays pair best with the holiday season's festive treats. Their creamy mouthfeel, moderate acidity, and buttery vanilla flavour enhance rich dishes like crab cakes, pork tenderloin, and creamed mushrooms.
- Tawse Winery – Chardonnay - Quarry Road Estate, 2021
- Marynissen Estates Winery – Platinum Series Chardonnay, 2020
- Westcott Vineyards – Estate Chardonnay, 2021
12. Riesling
With high acidity and an intense aroma, Riesling boasts a sweeter flavour palate with notes of orchard fruits, like apricots, nectarine, pears, and honey-crisp apples. As such, it makes a particularly great pairing for pork dishes. Gift Riesling for your recipient to enjoy over a ham Christmas dinner, or serve it with pigs in a blanket and mustard at your holiday party.
- Liebling & Fogolar – Liebling Riesling, 2023
- Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery – Small Batch Riesling, 2023
Still trying to decide which Christmas wines to gift this holiday season? Give the gift of variety with Wine Club Canada's Christmas Gift Basket, expertly curated with Canada's best holiday wines.
