Whether it’s your turn to host the family this Christmas, or you’re simply looking for a way to distract yourself from the absurdly high gift shopping bill, here are some of the best wines to pair with some classic Christmas dishes.

Roast Turkey

The great thing about turkey is that it can be complemented well by almost any wine—however, there are some that work better than others. A unique feature of turkey is it’s lack of fat, meaning a wine low in tannin levels is probably your best bet. Try a smooth Grenache or a Pinot Noir.

Chicken

Like most wine and food pairings, the perfect synergy is highly dependant on the sauce accompanying the meat—chicken is no different. Generally, a Pinot Noir would usually be a safe pairing due to its light bodied characteristics. This Christmas, however, I implore you to experiment with a darker, richer wine—like a Syrah—to complement the rich, savoury flavour of the roast chicken.

Ham

Theres nothing better than a succulent glazed ham on Christmas Day. Hold on—maybe there is; a succulent glazed ham accompanied by a vibrant fruity wine to perfectly complement it’s salty richness. A Riesling, Moscato or Rosé should fit the bill, among many other fruity wines.

Where there is Christmas, there’s a feast, and where there’s a feast, there’s wine. Take these suggestions onboard so that you can sleigh the Christmas feast this year.

By Jacob Casha