With the holiday season approaching, you might be wondering how to elevate this year’s celebrations, from Friendsgiving to large corporate parties to hosting the entire family – and we’ve got the answer…it’s all about wine pairing!
The food may bring people together, but the perfect wine pairings will enhance, compliment, and bring out the best in every delicious bite. With a few easy wine pairing tips and examples, you’ll be wine pairing like a pro, ready to impress your guests with a deliciously elegant experience they won’t soon forget!
And, while choosing the best wine options for your holiday menu can seem complex (and sometimes overwhelming), we’re about to make it super simple — using some of our favorite Vestals Holiday Menu items as inspiration.
Let’s talk holiday wine pairing 101
You’ve probably heard that red wine is supposed to go with red meat, while white wine pairs better with fish, but that doesn’t give you much freedom to enhance the wide range of incredible flavors of your holiday meal (especially when Vestals is bringing the food), does it?
See, this advice doesn’t begin to cover all the different wine options you have to delight your guests with.
For instance, do you choose a crisp, aromatic Sauvignon Blanc, or a rich, buttery Chardonnay?
For red, do you go light Rosé, fruity Merlot, or deep, smoky Malbec?
Choosing the right wine is an art form, but it’s also a really, really FUN one — and a party trick you can use for years and years to come.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that the combo of wine and food should maximize the taste and enjoyment of everything involved, from your plate to your glass! Check out some ideas to keep in mind for a successful wine-pairing party.
Wine pairing starters guide
#1: The intensity of the food and wine should match.
Intense flavors in food pair well with intense wines, because you don’t want one to overpower the other. Ideally, they’ll work together to form a full, rich taste experience as an equal team. If you’re matching wine to more light, mild flavors, stick with wines that bring the same type of energy to the table.
#2: Spicy food goes well with sweet wine, and sweet food goes well with sweeter wines.
Deep, full wines don’t mix well with spice, so you’re looking for light, floral, or fruity wines to complement a dish that packs heat. On the other end of the spice spectrum, sweet treats are complemented the best by something even sweeter, like dessert or port wine. The acidity helps cut through the fat.
#3: Match wines to the sauces — not to the meats.
When it comes to the protein of the meal, the sauce is the main flavor to match. Let’s say you’re working with a tomato sauce. Whatever meat it’s on, the acidity in the tomatoes will need a more acidic wine to pair with – like a Cabernet Sauvignon or medium-bodied Zinfandel.
#4: Salty foods go with most wines… but think about the tannins.
Overall, salt can enhance the flavors of many different types of wine, but avoiding high-tannic wines is a good idea since they actually react with salt and leave more of a bitter taste behind. Instead, pair tannic wines (often full-bodied reds) with a protein-rich food that binds to the tannins and brings out the softer tastes of the wine.
Be a holiday wine pairing pro: Vestals Catering Edition
Are you ready to get specific and make some real wine-pairing magic for the holidays?
Here’s a sneak peek at some of our favorite Vestals Holiday Menu items, and insights on how to pair them with wine for your holiday parties!
First up: the appetizers
People come ready to dine and appetizers can set the tone for the rest of the meal — and at Vestals, we know how to make an amazing first impression on the taste buds. Of course, you have plenty of options for what to serve and how to serve it.
You could choose plated appetizers, put together a winter charcuterie board of your dreams, go buffet-style, install a full station of adorable cocktail sandwiches…or whatever suits your style. Here’s how we would pair some of our starters with wines that will welcome guests and warm up their palates.
- Try bold red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or Malbec with a bite of beef — like with our beef bites with horseradish cream — to complement the rich flavors. Why? The bold tannins in these wines enhance the depth and intensity of beef while balancing the creaminess of the sauce.
- A crisp Sauvignon Blanc, dry Riesling, or citrusy Chardonnay pairs perfectly with a fish dish — such as our tuna tartare with honey ginger glaze — highlighting the sweet and savory notes. Why? These wines cut through the richness and bring out the freshness and sweetness of the fish.
For cheese and meat pairings, opt for sparkling Champagne, Prosecco, or a fruity Merlot to enhance the classic flavors — like with our charcuterie boards. Why? The acidity and bubbles cleanse the palate, while the fruit-forward notes pair beautifully with the saltiness of the cheese and meats.
Moving on to the main dishes
Stations are a really fun way to get guests moving and mingling while trying out all sorts of delicious menu options. You might want to offer several different wines for each station, because the flavors vary so much from dish to dish.
- Try a Zinfandel for spicier flavors, a dry Rosé for chicken or pork, or a lightly oaked Chardonnay for creamier sauces — like with our Winter Street Taco Station, featuring seared duck, shrimp, and pulled pork tacos. Why? These wines balance the spice, richness, and variety of flavors in the tacos.
- Pair a Chardonnay or Viognier with rich, creamy pasta sauces, or a medium-bodied Merlot with tomato-based sauces — such as with our Pasta Station featuring ravioli, penne, and rigatoni. Why? The wines enhance the richness of the cream or complement the acidity of tomato-based dishes.
- More acidic wines like Chianti, Merlot, or Barbera pair well with dishes like our Chicken Parmesan Station, whether classic or eggplant. Why? Their acidity cuts through the richness of the cheese and sauce, balancing the flavors.
- Champagne or sparkling wine is perfect for enhancing delicate flavors and cleansing the palate — like with our Caviar Station. Why? The bubbles and acidity elevate the subtle taste of caviar while refreshing the palate.
What about dessert?
Our main desserts are masterpieces on their own (if we do say so ourselves), but the right wine will only enhance the decadent experience of these flavors.
- A tropical-tasting, late-harvest Riesling pairs beautifully with desserts like our orange cardamom vanilla bean crème brûlée. Why? The sweetness and tropical notes complement the citrusy flavors of the crème brûlée.
- Try a fruity Moscato d’Asti or a Tawny Port with something sweet and spiced — like our Texas spice cake. Why? The sweetness and fruitiness of these wines highlight the warm spices in the cake.
- Pair a rich Ruby Port or a late-harvest Zinfandel with decadent desserts — such as our dark chocolate peppermint mousse. Why? Their bold, sweet flavors match the richness and minty notes of the mousse.
These are just some of the delicious options you can choose from when working with Vestals Catering to create a uniquely perfect menu for your holiday party. To learn more about our Texas catering services, reach out here!
Holiday wine pairing in your own home
Now that you have some wine and food pairing inspiration to get you started, here are a few tips to create a fun, sommelier-esque ambiance for a fun and sophisticated twist to the holidays that your friends, family, or coworkers can all enjoy.
Make it a formal event: Tell guests to come in style, giving them an excuse to pull out that floor-length gown or black tie suit they’ve been dying to don. Then, use your new wine pairing knowledge to wow them all!
Focus on flavor: For your wine pairing party, focus on creating delicious dishes that shine just as much as the wine itself. After all, it’s all about bringing together flavors that complement one another perfectly. Along with great wines, serve up homemade favorites like roasted butternut squash (recipe below!) to create a memorable dining experience that feels both simple and impressive.
Harvest Stuffed Butternut Squash:
Ingredients:
- 1 (2-lb.) butternut squash, halved and seeded
- Kosher salt
- 2 tbsp. butter, softened
- 1 tbsp. brown sugar
- 1 c. vegetable or chicken broth
- 1/2 c. quinoa, rinsed until water runs clear
- 1 bunch roughly chopped kale
- 1 (15.5-oz.) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 c. dried cherries
- 1/4 c. toasted pepitas
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400°. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
- Place squash halves, cut side down, on a prepared baking sheet. Transfer to oven and bake for about 30 minutes, until the skin begins to blister.
- Flip squash cut-side up and season thoroughly with salt. In a small bowl, mash together butter and brown sugar, then use a spoon to spread butter paste all over squash. Return to oven and bake for about 30 minutes more, until squash is caramelized and tender.
- Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine broth, quinoa, and pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes,until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
- Add kale to a large skillet with 2 tablespoons of water and a big pinch of salt. Set over medium heat and cook, stirring frequently, until kale is wilted, about 3 minutes. Remove From heat and stir in chickpeas, cherries, pepitas, and cooked quinoa. Set aside to cool.
- Remove baked squash from oven. Spoon pooled sugar syrup over squash. Fill the cavity with 1 cup of quinoa mixture, then pile another 1 cup on the rest of squash. Repeat with remaining squash and filling.
- Return to oven for about 10 minutes, until the filling is warmed through. Serve immediately.
Choose a theme: It might be fun to pick a certain wine region as a theme that can add an extra touch of class. Then your food, decor, music, and lighting can all match and reflect your chosen region.
Keep it more laidback: We love a formal event, but who says wine pairing has to be fancy?! How about instead hosting a Christmas movie marathon, serving delicious pizza, and pouring an array of wine? Yes, please. (Can you imagine how fun it would be to have a Home Alone, pizza, and cab night? Send us an invite!)
Find the perfect, elegant setting: The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden would make a dreamy setting for an elevated holiday wine pairing party. With both outdoor and indoor private rental spaces to choose from, your holiday will be remembered as the social event of the year!
Are you ready to turn your holiday gathering into an elegant wine-pairing soiree? From planning to catering, to hosting tips along the way, Vestals Catering is here to help!
