The holiday season is here, and with it comes one of our favourite pastimes: crafting meals that bring family and friends together. For wine lovers, Christmas dinner is an invitation to experiment with food pairings that make each bite—and sip—extra special. Whether you’re hosting a big holiday gathering or just a small, cosy meal, there’s a perfect non-alcoholic wine to pair with every dish you’ll serve. Let’s dive into a lineup of festive flavours, with dry, delicious options to match each course and make your holiday feast truly shine!
1. Starting Off: Appetisers, Bubbles, and Crisp Whites
Your Christmas table usually kicks off with light bites and starters—think creamy cheeses, smoked salmon, and charcuterie boards. The key here? Refreshing wines with a nice acidity that complement these flavours without overpowering them.
- Shrimp Cocktails or Smoked Salmon: Sauvignon Blanc
Start things off with a crisp, dry Sauvignon Blanc! Non-alcoholic versions retain the zesty, citrusy vibes that make this wine a perfect match for seafood. It refreshes the palate and enhances the briny, savoury notes of smoked salmon or shrimp. DIVIN Sauvignon Blanc is the perfect choice when pairing with these Christmas appetisers – it combines a pleasant acidity with the fresh flavours of green apple, lime, and a hint of gooseberry. If you're looking for herbal undertones and hints of tangy fruit like kiwi, DC Sauvignon Blanc is the right choice for you.
- Charcuterie Board: Sparkling Rosé
A dry, sparkling rosé is as versatile as it is festive. Its bubbles cut through rich, fatty meats, while the berry notes play beautifully with cheeses and fruits. A perfect choice if you’re serving a variety of appetisers and want one wine that pairs with all of them. Bemuse Fiora Honey Wine is would a superb choice when pairing with meats and cheeses on a charcuterie board – the light honey flavour adds complexity to your snacky foods. If you're looking for a sparkling rosé that has floral and berry notes, Zeno Liberated Sparkling Rosé is the perfect choice. The berry notes pair wonderfully with the savoury of the cheeses and meats.
- Cheese Platters: Chenin Blanc
Light, smooth non-alcoholic Chenin Blanc is just what you need for cheese. These wines add a touch of sweetness and acidity that highlight soft cheeses while balancing the sharper flavours of harder cheeses. It’s all about striking a balance, and these options do just that. DIVIN Chenin Blanc unfolds with a juicy, soft texture, offering harmonious notes of caramelised fruit. The notes of caramelised fruit would pair beautifully with the different types of savoury cheeses. Balance is key!
2. Main Course: Rich Roasts and Bold Reds
When it’s time for the main event, pair your main dishes with wines that can hold their own against bold flavours. Roasts, in particular, love a deep, dry red wine to match their richness and heartiness.
- Roast Turkey or Chicken: Pinot Noirs
Turkey or chicken pairs beautifully with a lighter red like Pinot Noir. Non-alcoholic options here bring those classic red berry notes and earthy undertones, adding depth without overpowering the meat. Perfect with turkey’s savoury notes and all the sides that come along with it. DIVIN Pinot Noir offers a balanced acidity and gentle tannins, with sweet hints of caramel and vanilla – complementing the poultry dishes.
- Prime Rib or Beef Tenderloin: Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot
For a bold beef roast, go with a bold red. Non-alcoholic Cabernet Sauvignon has rich, dark fruit flavours that complement the depth of beef, while Merlot’s smooth body brings a rounder, softer profile for those who prefer less tannin. Either way, these reds are great for red meat dishes. Pierre Chavin Merlot Cabernet has best of both worlds – the deep notes of blackcurrant, cherry, and plum dominate, with hints of spice. Oddbird De La Prade Merlot has a harmonious blend of ripe berries, cherries, and a hint of dark chocolate and vanilla. The semi-sweetness of the wine pairs beautifully with rich, hearty meats.
- Roast Lamb: Shiraz
Lamb pairs well with reds that have a hint of spice, like Shiraz. These wines bring a mix of peppery notes and dark fruit that make each bite of lamb shine. Non-alcoholic versions capture those flavours without the alcohol, perfect for a flavourful lamb dish. The Very Cautious One Shiraz has flavours of juicy, dark fruits with a subtle touch of pepper – truly a show stopper when paired with juicy lamb dishes. If you want another option that is similar but with oak forward notes McGuigan Zero Shiraz is a superstar choice.
- Glazed Ham: Gewürztraminer
If you’re serving ham, Gewürztraminer, with its gentle floral and slightly sweet profile, balances the savoury-sweet notes of a holiday ham. The Very Cautious One Gewürztraminer is the only right choice for pairing with this particular dish. The flavour is a burst of lucious stone fruits, led by ripe peaches and juicy apricots.
3. Side dishes: Perfect Pairings for the Classic Christmas Sides
Christmas sides are a celebration all on their own. From creamy mashed potatoes to earthy roasted veggies, each dish deserves a wine pairing that enhances its unique flavours.
- Mashed Potatoes and Gravy: Chardonnay
For creamy mashed potatoes, a buttery non-alcoholic Chardonnay is a must. Its fuller body and hint of sweetness pair well with the smooth texture of potatoes and the savoury notes of gravy. Lautus Chardonnay pairs perfectly with buttery, creamy dishes such as mash potatoes. It has notes of kumquat and orange with subtle spicy undertones from the oak.
- Cranberry Sauce and Sweet Potatoes: Grenache or Riesling
A fruity red like non-alcoholic Grenache pairs nicely with the tanginess of cranberry sauce, while a semi-sweet Riesling works perfectly with the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes. Both wines offer the right balance of acidity and sweetness. Kolonne Null Riesling 2022 has flavours of juicy peach, ripe pears, and a touch of lime. These match the cranberry sauces tangy but sweet profile and cuts through the sweetness of the sweet potatoes. If you're looking for a Grenache, DC Sauvignon Blanc-Grenache is the choice for you.
- Roasted Root Vegetables: Syrah
Syrah brings in soft tannins and dark berry notes that beautifully complement the roasted, slightly smoky flavours of root vegetables. The subtle spiciness in Syrah pairs well with herbs and spices you might add to the vegetables, like rosemary or thyme, creating a cosy, hearty pairing. Torres Spanish Dry 2021 Garnacha Syrah is the call when it comes to choosing a Syrah. It flavours of juicy cherries, plum, and blackberries with a touch of spice. That touch of spice will beautifully complement the smoky flavours of the vegetables.
4. Desserts: Sweet Wines for Sweet treats
The end of the meal calls for something a little sweeter to match the holiday desserts. A good dessert pairing doesn’t overpower the dessert’s flavours; it should match the sweetness and balance every bite.
- Christmas Pudding or Fruitcake: Mulled Wine
Mulled wine captures many of the same warm spices you find in holiday desserts like Christmas pudding and fruitcake. These wines often feature cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, which mirror the spices in the dessert itself. Three Mills Mulled Punch is a solid pick for pairing with Christmas Pudding or fruitcake.
- Chocolate Desserts: Merlot
For chocolate-heavy desserts, a smooth Merlot is just right. Non-alcoholic Merlot adds a velvety texture to each sip—perfect for chocolate yule logs or truffles. Vintense Merlot has an intense flavour profile of stewed red fruits. This is a winning choice when pairing with chocolatey desserts.
- Mince Pie or Apple Pie: Muscat
Mince pies and apple pies call for a lighter, fruit-forward wine like Moscato (Muscat). A Moscato adds a refreshing finish and enhances the filling of the pies. Torres Spanish Dry Muscat is a perfect match for what you're looking for. The flavour profile green apple, peach, with hints of lemon and lime. These notes collectively are the ultimate match with pastry, apple based desserts.
Tips for Choosing Non-alcoholic Wines this Holiday Season
- Match Intensity: Choose lighter wines for lighter dishes, and fuller-bodied options for rich, hearty plates.
- Offer Variety: Give your guests a choice between reds, whites, and sparkling to fit a range of preferences and dishes.
- Bubbles Are Your Friend: Sparkling wines work wonders at the holiday table, especially when you’re looking for a crowd-pleaser that feels festive.
Your holiday feast should be an experience to savour, and with these wine pairings, you’ll make every course shine. Cheers to a joyful, delicious, and dry holiday season!
