Christmas is the time of year when people get together with family and friends to spend festive moments, playing, eating and drinking with each other over endless lunches and dinners. What better time, therefore, to choose the right wine for tasting with those exquisite Christmas delicacies, bringing out their flavours? Wine is always a much-appreciated gift and during the festive season even more so, but how do you choose the perfect wine to give?
 

The perfect wines for a traditional Christmas dinner

To navigate among so many wines, without putting a foot wrong, it is always a good rule to consider the best food and wine pairings and the personal tastes of diners, to make Christmas dinner even more magical. The undisputed stars of Christmas dinner are definitely stuffed turkey, accompanied by delicious sauces such as gravy or cranberry sauce, Yorkshire puddings and tasty vegetables: potatoes, Brussels sprouts and parsnips. Followed by crispy pigs in blankets and a tasty platter of cheese, chutney and assorted crackers. With so much goodness and variety you can indulge everyone's taste: there is a perfect white, red, rosé or sparkling Italian wine to enhance these dishes!

 
Christmas dinner and festive bubbly

When one thinks of Christmas and which wine to open or give as a gift, the first thought is the vibrant and festive bubbles that always bring cheer to any occasion. Turkey is a white meat and the stuffing, which is often spicy, requires an equally aromatic wine pairing. Fortunately, the excellent Italian sparkling wines can accompany the whole meal right through to dessert! 
 
So as not to be caught unprepared, there's a refined "Altinum" Trento DOC Riserva 2014 or an elegant "Berlucchi '61" Franciacorta Nature DOCG 2015, perfect wines to celebrate with gusto with family and friends.

 
Christmas menus and white wines

White wine, with its delicate aromas, enhances and respects the character of stuffed turkey and the accompanying vegetables, without overpowering the flavours. In the Italian highlands, wines have the opportunity to develop their aromatic profile and good structure, making for pairings worth trying, such as the versatile 'Stegher' Chardonnay Riserva Alto Adige DOC 2019. Other white wines that make a special Christmas dinner are Ribolla Gialla, Gewürztraminer, Greco di Tufo or a good Pinot Grigio, whose structure, acidity and persistence will complement the festive menu well, and provide some pleasant surprises.

 
The great Italian reds for a Christmas to remember

Italian red wines are famous and appreciated all over the world and are a must-have under the Christmas tree! Whether you are looking for the ideal red wine for your Christmas dinner or identifying the perfect gift, red wines never disappoint. 
Here, then, are the recommended labels for a Christmas with flair: Chianti Classico, Barbaresco, Pinot Nero Alto Adige, and Bolgheri, as well as red wines from southern Italy such as Primitivo di Manduria or Aglianico del Vulture. These wines share aromas of spicy notes and red fruits, and have a pleasant finish. 

 
Rosé wines to bring to the Christmas table

Some rosé wines are perfect for enjoying in winter and during the festive season! Rosé wines are versatile and aromatic, so they are particularly suitable to accompany all the courses of a Christmas dinner. The balanced "Le Cicale" Rosato Toscana IGT 2020, the delicate "Sikelia" Frappato Rosato DOC Sicilia 2020, the elegant "Vetere" IGP Paestum Rosa 2021 or the fresh "Visione" Irpinia Rosato 2021: all these wines can be paired with both meat and fish menus, making them suitable for any occasion and a must in any self-respecting wine cellar.

 
Which wines to pair with Christmas pudding?

Italy boasts a great variety of sweet end-of-meal wines, simply sublime to enjoy as accompaniments to Christmas desserts or even to be sipped meditatively on their own. With Christmas pudding, the most successful combination is certainly with Muscat wines.
 
Now that you know the best Italian wines to sample during the festive season, explore our section entirely dedicated to Christmas, with lots of valuable tips for choosing the wine to give as a gift to your loved ones. This Christmas choose Svinando and give the gift of a sublime experience!