veg preparations. Dark and bold concoctions are
usually the order of the day, but you may want to
go a little lighter for the delicious Christmas turkey.
Pinot Noir, Burgundy and Cabernet are the all-time
main course faves.
Pairing suggestions: Roast goose pairs beautifully
with a rich Burgundy, while a Riesling, Zindafel or
Lambrusco are excellent with glazed ham. A Pinot
Noir or Syrah is brilliant with a classic turkey feast,
as well as mushrooms and legumes. Merlot, on the
other hand, fi nds a match with mashed potatoes
and grilled vegetables.
DESSERT
With dessert, the golden rule is to keep the fl avours
balanced. While sweet wines generally pair well
“Prosecco is a huge favourite at the moment,
but the less promoted Cava is what is currently
exciting me. Typically of three varietals and with
added complexity of secondary fermentation
in the bottle, Cava has terrifi c scope for a truly
fi ne bubbly. Near Champagne in character and
close to Prosecco in price, Cava is a terrifi c
choice for entry-level sparkling wine.”
Arun Kumar, Co-Founder, Aspri SpiritsA Sauvignon Blanc is
a crowd pleaser and
pairs well with a variety
of white meats, veg
like tomatoes, or even
feta or goat’s cheese.
with desserts, traditional treats like Christmas
pudding have strong spice notes that could
overpower lighter wines. Sweet pastry-based treats
like the croquembouche do well with Sauternes
or ice wine, while other classics like gingerbread
creations work better with Scotch or Bourbon.
Pairing suggestions: Mince pies and Madera are a perfect
match, while Christmas pudding fares well with a Muscat
or even Port. Port also pairs well with the traditional