Choose a Wine for Christmas?

September 18, 2025

The end-of-year holidays are fast approaching.

Want to create perfect pairings between your dishes and your wines?

We will guide you in choosing the right bottles.

From our cellar in the 10th arrondissement, we see the same questions come up every year:
👉 How to pair oysters with the right white wine?
👉 What red to serve with turkey?

And above all, how can you surprise your guests without breaking the bank?

We have selected our best tips to help you.
Because it's almost Christmas and we have to go all out 🎄

The aperitif: Set the tone for your evening

Bubbles are still your best bet to start the evening.
A Crémant de Loire or Burgundy works wonders on your foie gras toast.
We often prefer these sparkling wines to Champagnes for their value for money: they bring that tangy freshness that awakens the taste buds.

For your seafood appetizers, consider Muscadet.
This dry white wine pairs perfectly with the iodine of the shellfish.
A Chablis can also make a splash if you want to impress.

Do you serve foie gras as an aperitif?
Sauternes remains a timeless classic.

But have you ever thought about a light red like a Morgon on your foie gras?
The deal may seem daring, but it works perfectly.
The supple tannins of Gamay complement the richness of the foie gras without overwhelming it.

Now that your guests are won over by the aperitif, let's get down to business with the starters.

The Entrances

Oysters require a wine that respects their finesse.
A Sancerre or a Pouilly-Fumé reveals all the complexity of these molluscs.
These Loire Sauvignons bring this minerality which harmonizes with the ocean.

Do you prefer to stick to safe values?
Muscadet remains our number one recommendation for oysters.
This dry white wine from the Nantes region was born to accompany seafood.
Its lightness and freshness enhance without masking.

For your smoked salmon, we recommend a Bouzeron .
This non oaked Chardonnay pairs perfectly with smoked fish.
The acidity of the wine balances the fat of the smoked salmon wonderfully.

An Alsatian Riesling can also create surprising pairings.
Its citrus notes and liveliness perfectly complement the smoky flavors.

Do you serve scallops?
A Meursault or a Pouilly Fuissé will enhance these shellfish.
These white Burgundies provide the necessary roundness without heaviness.

After these refined starters, your guests are ready for the main course.

The main course

Turkey remains the star of Christmas tables.
For this bird, we recommend a supple and elegant red.
A Pinot Noir from Bourgogne Village reveals all its assets.
Its fine tannins and red fruit aromas blend perfectly.

You can also opt for a full-bodied white.
A Chardonnay from Meursault or Saint-Aubin goes divinely with turkey.
The butter and minerality of these wines complement the tender flesh of the bird.

Is game still your favorite dish?
These powerful meats require wines with character.
A Châteauneuf-du-Pape or a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru are natural choices.
These tannic and complex reds stand up to wild flavors.

For venison or wild boar, also consider wines from the Northern Rhône.
A Côte-Rôtie or a Hermitage provide this necessary power.
Their structured tannins and spicy aromas enhance these exceptional meats.

Does duck have a special place on your table?
This web-footed bird requires a wine with fruit and freshness.
A Pinot Noir from Alsace or Red Sancerre works wonders.
These light but expressive reds respect the finesse of the duck.

Cheeses

The cheese platter tests your tuning skills.
Each cheese family requires a different approach.

For your pressed cheeses like Comté or Beaufort, think red.
A Côtes du Rhône Villages or a red Burgundy are natural choices.
These structured wines stand up to the intensity of these mature cheeses.

Your bloomy rind cheeses deserve more delicacy.
A Camembert or a Brie go perfectly with a Champagne .
The bubbles cleanse the palate and reveal the milky flavors.
A white Burgundy wine like a Chablis also works very well.

For goat cheeses, our advice remains simple.
A White Sancerre or Pouilly-Fumé create the perfect pairing.
These Loire Sauvignons share this acidity which complements the crottin.

Do you serve blue cheeses like Roquefort?
These powerful cheeses require sweet or fortified wines.
A Sauternes , a Banyuls or even a red Port create surprising harmonies.
The sweetness of these wines balances the spiciness of the blue cheeses.

The meal is coming to an end, time for the long-awaited sweet moment.

Desserts: finish in style

The Christmas log requires a wine that respects its delicacy.
For a chocolate log, we recommend a red Banyuls.
This naturally sweet wine from Roussillon goes perfectly with cocoa.
Its aromas of candied fruit and spices complement the chocolate flavors.

Is your log made with fruit?
A Coteaux du Layon or a Quarts de Chaume will be good choices.
These sweet Loire wines bring that necessary fruity freshness.
Their citrus and honey notes enhance fruit desserts.

For your more traditional desserts like apple pie, think differently.
An Italian Moscato d'Asti creates delicious pairings.
This slightly sparkling and sweet wine respects the finesse of your pastries.

Do you finish with chocolate delicacies?
An amber Rivesaltes or an old Tawny Port are a must.
These aged fortified wines bring notes of dried fruits and caramel.
They create complex harmonies with dark chocolate.
Now that your menu is perfectly matched, let's talk about gifts.

Giving wine: our ideas to make an impression

Choosing a bottle as a gift requires some thought.

Do you want to please someone without knowing their exact tastes?
Champagne remains the ultimate safe bet because it always pleases and is suitable for all occasions.

For experienced enthusiasts, consider exceptional vintages.
A bottle from the recipient's year of birth creates emotion.

We always keep a few old bottles for those special occasions.
A 1990 Bordeaux or a 1985 Burgundy are memorable.
And if you want to do even more, the magnum is a very good option.

Wine experiences can also be an opportunity to share a second moment after New Year's Eve.
We also offer themed tastings in our cellar.
These moments of learning and sharing create lasting memories.