Daily Dish the Sonoma Market blog
Wine & Dine
2023 Holiday Meal Pairings
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The guests are invited and the menu is set, but don’t forget the drinks! From beef and ham to turkey and lamb, finish your holiday feast with a wonderful wine perfectly matched to your protein of choice.
The guests are invited and the menu is set, but don’t forget the drinks! From beef and ham to turkey and lamb, finish your holiday feast with a wonderful wine perfectly matched to your protein of choice.
BEEF:
Certified Piedmontese Beef Standing Rib Roast + Post & Beam Cabernet Sauvignon
Emerging onto the market within the last few years, this new label from Far Niente Winery is one of the best values currently coming out of Napa, and it carries some serious pedigree! One sniff and sip and there’s no doubt this is some high-quality Napa Cabernet Sauvignon.
Fresh to Market USDA Choice Premium Angus Beef Tenderloin Roast + 13 Rams Red Blend
This wine is made from organically farmed grapes in Lake County, which benefit from the rich volcanic soils. The vineyard is tended to by a flock of 13 rams, who are a part of the Shannon family’s regenerative farming practices (hence the name). While the fruit has some dark ripe blackberry overtones, it’s balanced by the lush tannins and the acidity in the wine from cool nighttime ocean breezes that waft into the area each night.
Certified Piedmontese Beef Brisket + Seghesio Zinfandel
This producer has been setting the benchmark for California Zinfandel for well over a decade now—and for good reason! The aroma of ripe red raspberry is its hallmark. It’s plush in texture with a nice hint of oak spice on the finish and just enough tannins to keep it from being too “jammy.” It’ll go great with your meal!
HAM:
Bone-In Spiral Sliced Ham + Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc & Viognier White Blend
Since ham can have a salty overtone to it, play off that with a wine that has a little sweetness to counteract it on the palate. Both the chenin blanc and viognier grapes in this blend bring sweet notes of honeysuckle and ripe melon that will keep the saltiness in harmony.
Roli Roti Porchetta + Balletto Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is one of the most versatile wines when it comes to food pairings! Russian River is one of our favorite regions for California Pinots, and Balletto is one of our favorite producers from the region. It’s nothing short of a perfect pairing to us, but give it a try for yourself and see if you agree.
LAMB:
Cascade Creek Leg of Lamb + Chateau Paloumey Grand Vin de Bordeaux
This hidden gem has become a true favorite! While it can age for another decade or so, it is also very enjoyable right now. The tannins are polished and unobtrusive, yet present enough to perfectly complement the bold flavor of the lamb.
TURKEY:
Diestel All-Natural Fresh Turkey + Manoir du Carra Beaujolais Cru Juliénas Les Bottières
Juliénas, in the northern part of the Beaujolais region in France, is known for producing excellent Gamay wines. We could tell you that it has aromas of dark red and black fruits, a hint of oak spice and well-integrated tannins with a long silky finish, but the fact of the matter is it’s a very nice wine for any holiday feast.
Something else on the menu? Talk to the Wine Steward at your local Nugget Market for even more inspiration!
Selection may vary by store.
