Best red wines for Christmas dinner desserts

The Best Red Wines for Your Christmas Dinner Desserts

Did you know that wine can be paired with dessert?

If you’re serving a sweet wine as part of your Christmas dinner, we’ve got some great suggestions to help you pair the right red wine with your dessert. Red wines are usually high in tannins and paired with something acidic to balance the bitterness. However, when it comes to pairing red wine with desserts, most people think of a dry or semi-dry sparkling red. These pairings are ideal for apple pie – but what about something more traditional like mulled pears or plum pudding?

The following guide covers the different types of red wine and how they should be paired with dessert. Whether you’re looking for a new way to enjoy cranberry sauce or would like to try a different style of red wine with dessert, there is something here for everyone.

What Are the Different Types of Red Wine?

Light red wines, with an alcohol content of up to 12.5%, are usually made from thin-skinned grapes such as Pinot Noir. Some have a strong cherry or strawberry flavour; others are more subtle.

Medium-bodied red wines, between 12.5% and 13.5%, come from grapes with slightly thicker skins and have a bolder flavour profile. Merlot is a good example.

Full-bodied red wines, over 13.5%, are bold in every sense. Made from very thick-skinned grapes, they combine dark fruit, vanilla, and even chocolate. Examples include Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Fetească Neagră.

A Brief Guide to Pairing Red Wine with Dessert

Dark Chocolate Brownie with a Red Wine

Brownies are one of the most popular desserts at Christmas, and they pair very well with a glass of red wine. The best reds for this dessert have intense flavour and texture – a full-bodied red will nicely complement the bitterness of the dark chocolate.

  • Cricova Codru – a full-bodied blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with well-balanced flavours ending in nuances of sour cherry.
  • A full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon, with blackcurrant, black plum and saffron notes. Explore our reds
  • A light-bodied red sparkling wine, with aromas of red fruits and berries. Explore our sparkling wines

Cranberry Sauce with a Dry Red Wine

Cranberry sauce is a traditional part of the Christmas table. Its tartness pairs very well with dry red wines thanks to their acidity.

  • Cricova Dionis – a medium-bodied blend of Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. Its blackberry bouquet and gentle oak notes complement the sauce without overpowering it.
  • A medium-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon, whose blueberry aromas, acidity and tannin pair nicely with the fruity sauce.
  • A medium-bodied Pinot Noir, whose fresh raspberry and strawberry aromas echo the fruitiness of the sauce.

Christmas Pudding with a Red Sweet Sparkling Wine

Christmas pudding is a rich dessert made with dried fruits and spices. Because of its high fruit and sugar content, we need to be careful not to overwhelm it. Our recommendation is a sweet red sparkling wine – its rich, fruity flavours are a perfect match, while a lighter red would be lost alongside the pudding. Explore our sparkling wines

Conclusion

When it comes to red wine and dessert, the sky is the limit. There is a wide variety of dry, semi-dry and sweet wines that can be paired with desserts. Look for the right body of wine: pair richer desserts with the higher tannins of full-bodied reds, and fruity desserts with fruity reds. This balances the sweetness and ensures a harmonious palate. Think of the wine as the final ingredient that enhances the taste and creates a new experience.

We hope you have found the right red wine for your Christmas dessert. Order online or visit our shop.

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