Introduction

Welcome to the heart of the Australian Christmas season, where blue skies meet a table laden with an array of dishes that blend a vast array of cultural and traditional dishes with the fresh bounty of our seas and lands. At De Beaurepaire Wines, we're delighted to present our curated wine pairings, ensuring that each dish on your festive table is complemented by the perfect glass of wine.

Traditional Christmas Dishes and Wine Pairings

1. Christmas Glazed Ham

• Wine Pairing: 2017 ‘Victor’ reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
• Tasting Notes: Bold blackcurrant and dark chocolate flavours, perfect with the sweet and smoky ham.
• Serving Tip: Enjoy at 17-18°C for a rich and smooth experience.

2. Prawn & Seafood Platters

• Wine Pairing: 2022 ‘La Comtesse’ Chardonnay
• Tasting Notes: Light oak and balanced acidity, enhancing the delicate seafood flavours.
• Serving Tip: Chilled at 12°C to highlight the stone fruit and melon notes.

3. Foie Gras or Terrine with Brioche and Fig Jam

• Wine Pairing: 2021 ‘Coeur d'Or' Botrytis Semillon
• Tasting Notes: The rich and creamy texture of the foie gras or terrine, combined with the sweet fig jam, complements the luscious sweetness and balanced acidity of the wine.
• Serving Tip: Serve the wine chilled at around 10-12°C to enhance its refreshing sweetness and to provide a delightful contrast to the richness of the dish

4. Herb Crusted Roast Beef with a Red Wine Reduction.

• Wine Pairing: 2017 ‘Leopold’ reserve Shiraz-Viognier
• Tasting Notes: The robust flavours of the beef, combined with the aromatic herbs and the richness of the red wine sauce, harmonize with the spicy, fruity notes of the Shiraz-Viognier blend.
• Serving Tip: Enjoy at 17-18°Cto bring out its full range of flavors and to match the warmth of the dish.

5. Roasted Turkey with Cranberry and Orange Glaze

• Wine Pairing: 2021 ‘Richard’ reserve Pinot Noir
• Tasting Notes: The succulent turkey, infused with aromatic herbs, and the sweet and tangy glaze complement the wine's red fruit notes and moderate acidity.
• Serving Tip: Serve the wine at 14-16°C to enhance its fruit-forward character and to complement the warmth of the dish.

6. Christmas Duck Confit with Cherry Sauce

• Wine Pairing: 2019 ‘Le Chevalier’ Merlot-Cabernet-Petit Verdot
• Tasting Notes: The rich, tender duck meat, combined with the sweet and tart cherry sauce, creates a delightful contrast with the wine's deep fruit flavors and balanced tannins.
• Serving Tip: Serve the wine at around 16-18°C to enhance its complex flavors and to provide a refreshing balance to the richness of the duck.

 7. Crisp Summer Pavlova

• Wine Pairing: 2021 ‘Blanchefleur’ Blanc de Blancs
• Tasting Notes: Crisp, dry finish with brioche notes, complementing the sweet, fruity pavlova.
• Serving Tip: Serve chilled at 8°C for a refreshing palate cleanser.

8. Spiced Poached Pears with Mascarpone Cream

• Wine Pairing: 2020 Rylstone Estate ‘Bluebird’ Botrytis Viognier
• Tasting Notes: The subtle spices and the creamy mascarpone highlight the wine's elegant sweetness and floral notes.
• Serving Tip: Serve the wine chilled at around 10°C to bring out its luxurious sweetness and to balance the dessert's flavors.

Vegetarian Delights and Wine Pairings

1. Christmas Veg Gratin

• Wine Pairing: 2022 ‘La Comtesse’ Chardonnay
• Tasting Notes: A harmonious balance of acidity and light oak, perfect with creamy and cheesy dishes.
• Serving Tip: Chilled at 12°C to cut through the richness.

2. Chestnut & Pecan Loaf with Harissa Sauce

• Wine Pairing: 2021 ‘Perceval’ Pinot Noir
• Tasting Notes: Earthy with a hint of spice, balancing the nut roast's richness.
• Serving Tip: Serve at 14-16°C to enhance the fruity and spicy notes.

Australian Christmas Salads and Wine Pairings

1. Prawn, Mango, and Avocado Salad

• Wine Pairing: 2022 ‘La Comtesse’ Chardonnay
• Tasting Notes: Complements the sweet mango and rich prawns.
• Serving Tip: Serve chilled to bring out the stone fruit and melon notes.

2. Roasted Pumpkin and Quinoa Salad

• Wine Pairing: 2022 ‘Patte Bleu’ Pinot Gris
• Tasting Notes: Aromatic with hints of honeysuckle, perfect with earthy pumpkin.
• Serving Tip: Serve chilled to enjoy its fresh citrus and ripe pear flavours

Boxing Day Leftovers and Cold Dishes and Wine Pairings

1. Cold Ham and Turkey

• Wine Pairing: 2022 ‘Billet Doux’ Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc for ham, 2021 ‘Richard’ reserve Pinot Noir for turkey.
• Tasting Notes: Zesty lemon and lime for ham, moderate acidity and red fruit for turkey.
• Serving Tip: Serve the Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc chilled and the Pinot Noir at 14-16°C.

2. Oysters

• Wine Pairing: 2021 ‘Blanchefleur’ Blanc de Blancs or 'Jeannette' reserve Chardonnay
• Tasting Notes: Crisp and dry, enhancing the oysters' natural brininess.
• Serving Tip: Chilled at 8°C for a refreshing taste.

Conclusion

At De Beaurepaire Wines, we believe that the perfect wine pairing can transform a good meal into an unforgettable festive experience. This Christmas, let our wines be the companion to your culinary journey, enhancing every dish with their unique characters and stories. From our family to yours, we wish you a merry Christmas filled with good food, great wine, and joyous moments!