The perfect wine menu for festive fun!

---

---

For most gatherings, wine is a wonderful companion, but it’s a match made in heaven for the festive season! There is a wine or wine-based drink for every occasion, time of the day, and taste preference, especially on Christmas day. With so many options to select from, though, it can be tricky to know what to choose. So we have simplified the process by crafting a whole wine menu to see you through from morning to night for a jolly Yuletide.

Morning

Mimosa

Nothing says Christmas morning like mimosas; the zesty combination of sparkling wine and orange juice starts the day with a bubbly bang! Traditionally served in a Champagne flute, it’s an elegant drink that’s easy to make with just two ingredients. There are many debates about the type of sparkling wine you should use, however, cava, Champagne and prosecco make excellent mimosas for any budget. For a really superb mimosa, use freshly squeezed orange juice; the sweet tanginess will balance your chosen wine perfectly, and add a little extra sparkle with edible glitter.

Early Afternoon

Wine (for the main event)

The pinnacle of Christmas day is of course Christmas dinner! Whatever you’re cooking, there’s an appropriate wine pairing for you. Most people enjoy a beautifully roasted turkey or chicken with all the usual trimmings of roast potatoes, stuffing, vegetables and gravy. If you prefer red wines, couple your meal with a fruity grenache, pinot noir or Beaujolais to accompany the delicate, seasoned meat. Or for a white wine option choose a buttery chardonnay. If you’re serving red meat, opt for a more robust red wine such as a tannic cabernet sauvignon for beef or a juicy Montepulciano for pork. Not forgetting vegetarian meals, nut roasts work deliciously with shiraz or chardonnay, while Rhône or white Rioja make suitable companions for umami mushroom-based dishes. Strict vegans can also join in thanks to the advances in wine-making in recent years with wines that have been produced according to specific standards.

Late Afternoon

Mulled wine

When the sweet and spicy smell of mulled wine fills the air, it’s hard not to feel Christmassy. This warming, aromatic drink is a staple for the festive season and is often found in Christmas markets around the world, as well as enjoyed at home. Created thousands of years ago, each region has its own version, with one of the most spectacular hailing from Germany; gluhwein involves dousing a sugar cone in liquor, setting it alight and letting the syrup drip into the wine. As red wine is the base, it’s quite important to use the right kind. Generally, it’s better to choose a full-bodied, fruity red such as merlot, grenache, red zinfandel, or shiraz. Avoid tannic or oaky reds like cabernet sauvignon and light reds as they don’t have enough body to carry the spices, for example, pinot noir.

Evening

Port

With content stomachs and happy hearts, it’s the last part of Christmas day before we bid it goodbye for another year. The evening usually ends with a selection of cheese or a traditional dessert, and always a glass of port. During the fermentation process of grapes, this wine is fortified with brandy, leaving a higher sugar content than most wines and therefore a rich and sweet taste. There are many different types of port, and they can accompany a multitude of after-dinner treats. Marry aged cheeses and dark chocolates with a deeper-flavoured ruby port or creamier cheeses and desserts with a lighter tawny port.

Now that your presents are wrapped, food has been bought, and your wine selection is ready, the only thing to focus on is enjoying your day! With that, from everyone at Winebanc, we wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

If you have purchased wines for this holiday season, or are ready to start collecting for the next year but have nowhere to store them, contact Winebanc to see how we can help. Winebanc has private, exclusive, and minimalistic yet elegant wine cellars in various sizes, with 24/7 customer access across 3 locations conveniently located in the heart of Singapore. Visit us at www.winebanc.wine or contact us at 6955 9788 for more information!