Holiday Wine Pairing

Dish

Drink

Description

Why it Works

Oysters

Sancerre

Mildly tart white wine with a hint of grapefruit or green apples

Tartness of the wine kicks up the rich flavor of the oysters much like lemon juice or mignonette.

Shrimp Cocktail

Sauvignon Blanc

Dry, grassy intense white wine

The acidity pairs well with cocktail sauce and balances the sweet flavor of fresh shrimp

Fois Gras

Sauternes

Sweet white wine with a rich honey flavor

The sweet wine cleanses between rich bites of fois gras and compliments earthy flavors.

Salad with Fruit and Cheese

Riesling

Fruity, light bodied white with floral apricot and peach notes

Riesling plays well off of cheese, fruits and delicate greens where drier whites may be too acidic.

Smithfield Spiral Ham

Gewürztraminer

A complex, dry somewhat spicy white

This spicy white brightens the sweet and salty flavors of this classic holiday dish.

Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey

Viognier or

Zinfandel

Viognier is a light to medium bodied white with grapefruit and floral notes.

Zinfandel is a bold, spicy, yet fruity red

The viognier works because it is light enough to agree with a wide variety of flavors. Zinfandel stands up to heavily seasoned food without competing for attention.

Prime Rib of Beef

Cabernet Sauvignon

Deep rich, red wine with mild to strong tannins and velvety texture

This rich wine seasons the meat with just the right amount of acid to make each bite perfect.

Smithfield Pork Tenderloin

Riesling or Syrah

See salad, duck breast

Both of these wines add a sweet element that compliments pork’s natural savory and salty flavors.

Roasted Rack of Lamb

Pinot Noir

Spicy cloves and cherries, red

This fruity wine rounds out the gamey flavors of lamb.

Grilled Smithfield Pork Chop

Merlot

Fruity red, low tannin, smooth, slightly sweet flavor

Together with pork chops, the merlot creates a sweet salty combination with universal appeal.

Duck Breast

Syrah

Gamey, peppery berry red

Fruity quality of syrah soften the savory, gaminess of this rich meat.

Roasted Chicken

Chardonnay

Oaky, buttery, vanilla, pear full bodied white

Basic roasted chicken can go with many wines, but chardonnay gives it dimension without being overpowering.

Braised Brisket

Zinfandel

Full bodied red with plenty of cherry, berry fruit and some peppery spice

Wine with extreme flavor match well with rich dishes with plenty of sauce and spice.

Salmon

Chardonnay

See chicken

Full flavored fish needs a big white to cut through its rich flavor without getting lost.