This is Christmas; Wine Pairings for Holiday Themed #SundaySupper Recipes

This week’s #SundaySupper theme is about recipes inspired by holiday music, movies or TV shows.  As I recalled some of my favorite Christmas memories, the first memory that popped into my head was the movie “Christmas Story”.  The movie is hilarious, but what made it special for me is that I used to watch it with my kids every year.  As I was having that flashback, I found myself listening to my favorite Christmas song, and feeling emotional.  The song gets me every year. Year after year.  It’s a song that is beautiful, meaningful, soulful and brimming with the holiday spirit. The song is “This is Christmas” by Luther Vandross.  

This is Christmas: Holiday Themed #SundaySupper

The many joyous memories evoked by a “Christmas Story”, and the message of faith, and hope are what Christmas is all about for me!

You can check out the song here (WARNING – 90’s hair and attire in full effect;-)

Aside from the message of the song, what I’ve always appreciated about it is that it’s some original contemporary Christmas music.  Don’t get me wrong, I love the classics, but I can only stand hearing “Jingle Bells” sung some many different ways. So for me, it’s refreshing to add something fresh to my holiday play list.  Check out the lyrics here.

What song “gets” you this time of year…every year?

And of course family, food and traditions are also what the holidays are about! Check out this week’s wondrous holiday themed recipes from the #SundaySupper family and my wine pairing recommendations.

Pair these party appetizers and snacks with an off-dry (slightly sweet) bubbly.  Try Chandon Extra-Dry Riche, a wonderful blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay, and a touch of Muscat with a peach, nectarine, honey, apricot character.

Festive Main Dishes

Pair this classic salad with Sauvignon Blanc.  One of my favorites is the 2012 Ferrari-Carano Sonoma County Fumé Blanc.  It has a delicious candied grapefruit, meyer lemon, herbal and mineral laced character.  It exhibit a compelling combination of vibrant acidity and subtle oak notes that adds depth and some body.  

Pair these dishes with an off-dry Riesling.  One of my favorites is the 2012 Chateau Ste. Michelle-Dr. Loosen Riesling Columbia Valley Eroica – It’s off-dry  with vibrant acidity and a beautiful white peach, grapefruit and mineral character.

Pair these dishes with Pinot Noir.  Look for the 2012 Belle Glos Meiomi Pinot Noir. It has wonderful mixed berry, plum, cherry, cranberry and spice character. 

Pair these dishes with a red Rhône blend.  I recently featured the 2011 M. Chapoutier Côtes du Roussillon Villages Les Vignes de Bila-Haut as the Wine of the Week on my blog.  It’s a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan with a supple texture and a black cherry, red currant, blackberry, and mineral character. It’s $10 at Costco.

You KNOW with a names like “Filthy Animal Pizza”  and “Maple Syrup Spaghetti” these dishes needs a big wine.  Pair this insanely delicious unique dishes with the 2010 Michael David Winery Petite Petit, a big, bold blend of 85% Petite Sirah, and Petit Verdot with a full-bodied, savory plum, and vanilla spice character.

Pair these desserts with a late harvest Riesling.  I like the 2011 Navarro Late Harvest Cluster Select Riesling.  It has a great apricot, pear, pineapple, honey and baking spice character, with a long finish. And its crisp acidity keeps from being cloying. 

Pair these desserts with Port.  Look for Warre’s “Otima” 10-year-old Tawny Port. It’s a rich tawny port with a toffee, caramel, honey and dried fruits character. 

Cozy Drinks:

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34 Comments

  1. The song “Silver Bells” gets me every year. I never grow tired of listening to it.
    Thanks so much for your wonderful pairings. My wine to-buy list is ever growing thanks to you.

  2. Great selections! I always struggle this time of year to pair wines, so I really appreciate you doing it already!
    Merry Christmas!

  3. A beautiful song, Martin! A glass of Reisling sounds perfect with brandied sweets! Merry Christmas!

  4. Wonderful selections of drinks!! Happy Holidays!!

  5. Liz Berg says:

    O Holy Night is the one that gets to me. Great wine pairings! Merry Christmas, Martin!

  6. Katy says:

    I love that song! The song which gets me is Bing Crosby and David Bowie Little Drummer Boy / Peace on Earth. Two sensational singers and a sublime last hurrah for Crosby. Thank you for these wonderful wine pairings! I’m particularly partial to Cotes du Roussillon Villages, having lived for a while in Roussillon – their wine is underrated!

  7. So thankful to have wine ideas. I always just stand there and make my selection based on the picture on the label.

  8. Shaina Wizov says:

    Thanks for finding delicious wines to pair with all of our dishes! Happy Holidays!

  9. Stacy says:

    As always, some lovely matches, Martin!

    I completely hear you about the emotion evoked by Christmas songs and movies. There are so many that choke me up too. The other day I passed the first Baptist church in the US (http://www.firstbaptistchurchinamerica.org/) and their sign resonated: “Everyone is homesick at Christmas whether they are home or not.” Sounds like you would agree also.

  10. Some wonderful pairs and a song I’ve not heard! Thanks for sharing. This year is my first Christmas away from home and almost every song is evoking emotions for me!

  11. You have no idea how helpful your wine selections were to me this past year! Looking forward to trying another one of your recommendations.
    I love Luther and love that you chose this song! Such a great message.
    Merry Christmas to you and your family. I am so glad you are part of the #SundaySupper family!

  12. I love these wine pairings. I am so clueless when it comes to wine so it’s really helpful to have some guidance from a pro. My “heart clutch” song this time of year is Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas sung by Judy Garland.

  13. Hehehe yes, my pizza needed a HUGE wine! Great pairing suggestion, Martin!

  14. I had never heard this song before, so thank you for sharing it! A lot of Christmas music makes me sad, but Oh Holy Night always gets me. I can barely listen to it. Have a great Christmas, Martin!

  15. The Navarro does sound like the quintessential choice for my tres leche cake, Martin. Thank you so much for the recommendation!…As for Luther Van Dross…every one of his songs is filled with soul and spirit…I actually had the great pleasure of meeting him once…He was a man of great heart <3

    1. Martin D. Redmond says:

      Wow! What a treat it must have been to meet Luther! I’ve seen him many times in concert. He put on such great shows. Still can’t believe he’s gone sometimes. Thanks for your comment!

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