The holiday season is the perfect time to celebrate with family and friends around a feasting table. Traditional Italian dishes, rich in flavor and history, deserve a wine pairing to match. In this article, we explore the ideal pairings between Italian wines and Christmas dishes, with a few forays into German and European traditions. Of course, we’ll highlight VinoTales bestsellers, perfect for these special occasions.
Appetizers
Gastronomic Panettone: The Perfect Aperitif
An original and refined choice to start the festivities is the gastronomic panettone, a savory version of the classic Christmas cake. This soft layered bread lends itself to infinite filling variations: smoked salmon and fresh cheese, tuna mousse, raw ham and burrata, or grilled vegetables and hummus.
Recommended pairing:
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Trentodoc Michele Sartori or Maso Martis Blanc de Blancs : The fine bubbles and freshness of these mountain sparkling wines are ideal for accompanying the various fillings of the gastronomic panettone, enhancing the flavours without overpowering them.
Focaccia and Salted Beef Tartare with Apple and Lemon Zest
A tasty and refined appetizer that combines the softness of the focaccia with the freshness and intensity of the salted meat tartare. The apple and lemon zest add a citrusy and fragrant note, making the dish ideal for starting a festive meal.
Recommended pairing:
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Nosiola Belle F. Poli : Its fresh and mineral notes enhance the contrasts of flavours, balancing the savouriness of the salty meat and the sweetness of the apple.
First courses
Tortellini in Broth: Elegance and Tradition
Choosing the right wine to accompany tortellini in brodo may seem simple, but the variety of options makes the choice fascinating. This iconic dish of the Emilian tradition, with its warm and fragrant broth and filling of meat, ham and Parmigiano Reggiano, finds the ideal companion in a young and delicate white wine or a light red. A lively Trebbiano or a smooth Albana are classic choices, while Schiava Klinger adds a surprising touch thanks to its freshness and delicacy, perfect for balancing the flavors of the broth and filling.
Stuffed Crepes: Softness and Refinement
Stuffed crepes, delicate and versatile, are a refined first course that lends itself to numerous variations, from ricotta and spinach fillings to the richer ones with mushrooms and béchamel. To enhance the creaminess of the dish, a soft and fragrant white wine is needed.
Recommended pairing:
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Manzoni Bianco Vignaiolo Fanti : Perfect to accompany vegetable crepes, with its softness and delicacy that enhance the vegetable fillings.
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Kerner Klaus Lentsch : Ideal for mushroom crepes, thanks to its aromatic notes and ability to balance the creaminess and intensity of woodsy flavours.
White Seafood Lasagna: Seaside Elegance
A sophisticated variation of the classic lasagna, the seafood version is light and delicate, perfect for the holidays. With its base of crustaceans and molluscs, it calls for a fresh and savory wine that recalls the scents of the sea.
Recommended pairing:
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Trentodoc Maso Martis Dosaggio Zero 2019 (available in store) : With its structure and freshness, this sparkling wine enhances the marine flavors of the white lasagna, giving elegance to the dish.
Seconds
Game and Strong Flavours
Game is a classic on Christmas tables, with dishes such as braised venison, roe deer or wild boar. These intense and enveloping flavours require wines capable of supporting their complexity and enhancing their aromatic characteristics.
Recommended pairing:
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Moscato Rosa di Novacella : Its notes of rose, sweet spices and berries create an elegant and harmonious contrast with game-based dishes.
Roasts and Red Meats: Intensity and Depth
Whether it's roast veal, stuffed capon or roast lamb, Italian Christmas main courses call for structured, enveloping wines that can handle the complexity and intense flavours.
Recommended pairings:
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Majere Casetta La Cadalora : With its notes of berries and spices, this full-bodied red wine is perfect for succulent roasts and red meats.
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Pinot Noir Vignalet Cadalora or Riserva Marco Wolf : Elegant and structured, these Pinot Noir pair beautifully with roast veal or stuffed capon. The Vignalet Cadalora stands out for its hints of small red fruits and spices, while the Riserva di Marco Wolf offers greater complexity, with notes of ripe cherry, tobacco and an enveloping finish.
Pinot Nero Marco Wolf available in store
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Rebo di Fagarini : An original option with soft tannins and an aromatic profile that pairs well with richer meats such as roast lamb.
Sweets
Panettone and Christmas Sweets: Sweetness and Bubbles
Italian Christmas desserts, such as Silvia Biasioli’s artisanal panettone , pandoro, and torrone, require wines that can enhance their sweetness without being cloying. Sparkling wines, in particular, add a festive touch to the table.
Recommended pairings:
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Moscato Salizzoni Castel Beseno : Perfect for enhancing the sweetness of panettone with its aromatic and floral notes.
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Extra Dry Tenuta Costeselle : An elegant and refined choice, with lively bubbles that give freshness to Christmas desserts.
A Curiosity: The German and European Christmas Tradition
In Germany, Christmas is celebrated with dishes such as roast goose and Weihnachtsstollen (a dessert rich in candied fruit and spices). Roast goose pairs beautifully with a Pinot Noir or a Lagrein , while Weihnachtsstollen finds its ideal partner in a sweet wine such as a Moscato Giallo or a Passito .
In France, however, foie gras is a festive classic, often accompanied by a Sauternes or a Gewürztraminer .