It’s the most wonderful time of the year! And a great excuse to buy that expensive bottle of bubbly you’ve been eyeballing since January.
Christmas is one globally-celebrated winter holiday known for its iconic culinary traditions. From gingerbread to a classic roast ham, and from peppermint candy to a generous mug of spiced cider, the Yuletide season is one to be celebrated on the palate as much as through gift giving and decoration.
And our favorite pair for wintertime feasting, caroling, present-opening, or simply lounging in front of the TV for a marathon of your favorite holiday films, is — you guessed it — a beautiful bottle of small-production wine.
Here are some of our favorite bottles that go great with Christmas, however you choose to celebrate it, from the Argaux collection.
Best wine for your Christmas party
Accessible and delicious wines that all your guests are sure to love, straight from the glass. Or, you can literally spice things up by mulling these delightful libations before serving. The bottles in this section are among the most cocktail-friendly at Argaux.
- NV Sorelle Bronca Extra Dry Prosecco – $22
This surprisingly springy bottle of bubbles is the ideal party prosecco. It’s not too expensive, so you can fill your guest’s glasses without breaking the bank. And it’s delicious, effervescent, and a great pair with party foods like pizza and cheesy charcuterie boards. This almond-and-white-flower-forward wine is also very cocktail friendly, and makes an incredible base for a holiday spritzer. - 2019 Domaine de la Tour Vieille Banyuls “Rimage” 500ml – $30
A fortified Mediterranean wine with a history as rich as your Christmas pudding, the Rimage is delectably sweet, decadent with notes of ripe fruit, and strong enough to tide your party over without ever emptying the bottle. This high-alcohol Grenache is also amazing for mulling, and precludes the need to strengthen the drink with extra spirits.
Best wine for Christmas dinner
These bottles were practically designed to pair with all the trimmings of a traditional Christmas feast. Whether your centerpiece features ham, turkey, roast beef, or a vegetarian main, these wines will help it to shine.
- 2020 Les Athlètes du Vin Touraine Pinot Noir – $25
Start out your night with a glass or two of this divine aperitif from the Loire Valley in France. Fruity, floral with a lovely little funk at the end that makes it a unique experience in the genre, this wine is best had slightly chilled alongside an appetizer of smoked salmon and chevre. - 2019 Domaine de la Bonne Tonne ‘Cuvée Cléa’ Regnie Beaujolais – $50
Notes of baked plums, prunes, and wintry spice delight the palate in this Beaujolais, making it an ideal centerpiece to elevate a meaty holiday dinner. Named after the winemaker’s daughter, now 4, this bottle invokes a spirited child-like delight, perfect for the sentiments of the season. Soft tannins and a slight minerality mean this wine will go well with your brined Christmas turkey. - 2020 La Spinetta Il Vermentino di Casanova Toscana – $22
Allow this floral and citrusy white wine to channel warmer months in the dark of the year. Unless you’re escaping to warmer climates this Christmas, in which case, the Toscana will help you feel right at home. Pair with ham, poultry, or your Carciofi alla Giudea vegetarian centerpiece.
Best wine for stockings
Sweeter wines that are perfect for pairing with all the sweet treats you’ll be nibbling throughout the day amidst mountains of shredded wrapping paper.
- 2009 Château Climens 1er Cru Barsac Sauternes (half-bottle) – $100
This is the wine to drink if your stocking stuffers included chocolate truffles with actual truffles in them, DIY caviar-and-cracker kits, and gingerbread men with gold leaf buttons. The golden hue only adds to its luxury, and notes of ginger, chamomile tea, honeysuckle, and orange mean it pairs beautifully with all the Christmas sweets you’ll be enjoying this year. - 2019 Clos Signadore ‘A Mandria’ Patrimonio Rosé – $40
Dry, light, and fruity, this wine is a lovely and casual sip great for winding down from the holiday madness with a spoonful or two of double ginger sticky toffee pudding. - 2014 Churchill’s Late-Bottled Vintage Port – $33
Delectable, dark, definitely desserty, this classic port is what you should reach for if you choose to drink nothing else on Christmas day. Something to be sipped and savored, but not so dear that you’ll find yourself crying over spilled wine if little Timmy’s new RC car takes an unexpected spin on the coffee table, it’s the perfect way to transition away from this wild wintertime holiday and into the new year.
Best wine for Boxing Day
Keep the party going as you pick through holiday leftovers and pack up a few items for regifting (we promise we won’t tell!)
- NV Champagne Delavenne Père & Fils Brut Tradition Grand Cru – $50
An afterparty isn’t an afterparty without real Champagne (that’s what we think, anyway.) This libation is 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, and 100% delicious, with unmistakably Chard-y fruit tart notes both in the nose and on the tongue. A luxurious companion to keep your spirits raised while you pack the tinsel and ornaments away for next year.
A gift from Argaux
Spread the holiday spirit around this year with a seasonal gift box from Argaux. We have a wide selection of tasting packages that include a number of delicious bottles anyone would love to find under the tree — from our ‘Gaux to Champagne Gift Box to our Food & Wine Pairing kit that will let the oenophile in your life learn more about pairings for the everyday.
Check out our other piece, Best Christmas Wine Gifts, for more gifts that keep on giving.
