Wine is a perfect complement to your Christmas dinner. There are as many styles of wines as there are styles of Christmas dinner. Wine options available could include a wine for each course of an elegant sit-down dinner, or a pot of mulled wine alongside a casual buffet. Wine does not have to be expensive to be good. While the general guidelines of red wine with beef and white wine with chicken or fish are a good indicator, they are not steadfast rules. Not all reds are heavy and not all whites are dry. When buying wine, it is best to attend a tasting in order to know exactly what will be inside the bottle. It is also very helpful to ask the salesperson. Explain your likes and dislikes, and advise them of your menu. These steps will help you achieve a great wine match for your Christmas dinner. The following wines are medium-bodied so as to not overpower lighter menu items or disappear beside heavier main dishes.
Charming Nancy, Breitenbach Wines: Charming Nancy is a medium-dry wine with a crisp finish, but enough body to not be lost in a heavy Christmas Dinner.
Breitenbach Wines, in the heart of Ohio’s Amish Country, will ship with a 21-year old recipient signature. Charming Nancy is very reasonably priced at only $9.75 per bottle.
Rudolph Red, Lanthier Winery: From the heartland of Indiana’s wine country hails Lanthier Winery’s Rudolph Red. This semi-dry wine is an annual release, just in time for Christmas dinner. Wonderful by the glass, the Rudolph Red is a perfect base for mulled wine.
A very simple recipe for mulled wine is one bottle of Rudolph Red, half of a bottle of water, one-half to three-quarters of a cup of brown sugar and a package of mulling spices. Heat in a slow-cooker until it is warmed. Serve in toddy glasses.
Lanthier Winery, in Madison, IN, can ship wine to many states. The Rudolph Red costs approximately $14 per bottle, and Lanthier Winery offers quantity discounts. Visit their website or call 1-800-41WINES or 1-812-273-2409.
Madison, Indiana is located midway between Cincinnati, OH and Louisville, KY in southern Indiana and is well worth a day trip.
Vanilla Bean and Cinnamon Sticks Mountain Honey Wine, Redstone Meadery: Mead is the nectar of the gods. Do not fear Mead, as it is not syrupy sweet. The Winter Solstice release by Redstone Meadery is a great complement to dessert at your Christmas Dinner. The flavors of vanilla and cinnamon are a part of many holiday desserts.
Redstone Meadery, in Boulder, CO, will ship all over the United States. The Winter Solstice release is $22 per bottle and is available at retailers in many states. Redstone Meadery’s website will direct you to their distributors around the country.
