December marks the start of winter, the festive season, and. for me, one of the busiest months of the year.

If you’re looking for a wine for our cold evenings, planning a holiday dinner, hunting for the perfect gift, or searching for an ideal sparkling wine for New Year’s Eve, this month’s Picks highlight the types of wines that suit every taste and occasion — along with my pairing tips.

And I have one standout Pick this month!

Winter-ready wines for December evenings and holiday hosts

Cabernet Sauvignon

This red wine matches hearty winter meals. It is one of the most popular winter red wines thanks to its bold flavour, rich tannins, and warm spice flavours. Cabernet Sauvignon pairs with roast lamb, beef steaks, game meats and aged cheddar.

Top areas: Bordeaux (France); Maipo and Colchagua Valleys (Chile); Coonawarra and Margaret River (Australia), Tuscany (Italy)

Syrah/Shiraz

Another sought-after red this time of year is smoky and full-bodied Syrah/Shiraz. It delivers dark fruit, earthy tones, and a hint of smoke—ideal for colder nights. Serve with grilled meats, spicy sausages, mushroom dishes and blue cheese.

Top areas: Rhone (France); Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale (Australia), and Swartland (South Africa)

Malbec from Mendoza (Argentina)

Argentina is famous for its lush and velvety Malbec. It displays blackberry, plum, cocoa and spice character. Match with grilled meats, empanadas, chile, roasted root veggies and smoked Gouda. *I have a fabulous Malbec as my Pick this month!

Amarone della Valpolicella from Veneto (Italy)

This red is made from dried grapes and delivers an intensely concentrated, luxurious wine with rich dried-fruit notes. Amarone della Valpolicella pairs perfectly with rich stews, braised meats, roast duck, and Manchego. *This wine is a unique and expressive wine and makes and interesting gift for the oenophile on your holiday list!

Chardonnay 

This is the classic white wine. Look for oaked Chardonnay with flavours of butter, vanilla, and baked apple—for me, it is comfort in a glass. Roast chicken, pork tenderloin, creamy pasta, seafood and Gruyère cheese are all perfect combinations.

Top areas: Niagara, Ontario; Burgundy (France); Margaret River (Australia); Hawke’s Bay, Kumeu (New Zealand) and Casablanca, Limari (Chile)

Viognier

One of my favourite whites this time of year, Viognier is aromatic and festive, with aromas and flavours of peach, apricot, and spice. Pairings include roast turkey, scallops, curries and soft cheeses. 

Top areas: Condrieu, Chateau-Grillet, Northern Rhone (France); Paarl, Stellenbosch (South Africa) and Eden Valley, Yalumba (Australia)

Chenin Blanc

This is a white that can be full-bodied with rich flavours and great acidity. Chenin Blanc is fantastic paired with glazed ham, roast turkey, roasted root vegetables and goat cheeses. Chenin Blanc is a quintessential wine with Christmas dinner!

Top areas: Loire Valley (France) and Swartland, Stellenbosch, Paarl (South Africa)

Sparkling Wine and Champagne

Nothing says – let’s celebrate – like a bottle full of bubbles! Champagne, Ontario sparkling wine, Franciacorta (Italy’s top sparkling wine), Cava (Spain), Cremant (France), or Prosecco (Italy) will elevate your holiday gatherings or New Year’s celebrations. One of the most versatile styles of wine, enjoy it with appetizers, shellfish, and brunch dishes.

Top areas; Champagne (France); Niagara (Ontario); Franciacorta (Italy); Catalonia (Spain); Veneto (Italy)

Dessert Wines

Delicious dessert wines are perfect for holiday celebrations, on their own or with end of meal treats.

Canada has a true winter treat for the world – Icewine. Naturally sweet and intensely flavoured, ice wine is perfect for festive nights. Serve as a dessert or with fruit tarts, cheesecake and shortbread cookies.

Portugal’s Port is one of the best winter dessert wines with chocolate, cherry, and spicy aromas and flavours. It is perfect with blue cheese, chocolate cake and walnuts.

Luxurious, honeyed Sauternes from Bordeaux, France is a golden French dessert wine that adds elegance to December gatherings. A classic pairing is with foie gras, as well as with sweet pastries and ginger cookies.

Wines to Serve at Holiday Dinners

Hosting a holiday meal or winter party? In that case, these wines are versatile crowd-pleasers and work beautifully with the Christmas turkey dinner, Hanukkah gatherings, or winter celebrations.

Pinot Noir — great paired with prime rib, roasted rack of lamb, roast goose and chocolate desserts

Gamay — ideal with charcuterie boards, beef tenderloin, smoked ham and soft cheeses

Dry Riesling — perfect with baked or glazed ham, roast pork, roast duck, baked fish and apple pie

Sparkling Rosé — serve with appetizers, baked salmon or trout, roasted chicken or cornish hens and light desserts

Wines make a thoughtful holiday gift! 

Consider gifting:

• An older vintage Bordeaux for red wine lovers. (There are many vintages available across multiple price points)!

• An iconic and luxurious premium Champagne for the wine and food enthusiasts on your list. (Grand Marques include Bollinger, Taittinger, Louis Roederer and Veuve Cliquot).

• A dessert wine for sweet-toothed friends. Dessert wines are complex, balanced and very different to dry wines. They have rich, intense flavours, balanced sweetness and acidity and they pair beautifully with food. (I recommend Port, Vin Santo, Madiera and Ice Wine).

Remember to add a personalized note for extra holiday charm!

My delicious Pick was released on December 6 in VINTAGES, in limited quantities. Versado 2020 Reserva Malbec is an organic red wine made from century-old vines. It comes from a Canadian-owned boutique winery in Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina, and was crafted during the pandemic by Canadian winemakers and owners, Ann Sperling and Peter Gamble. The low yields concentrate the flavours, resulting in a pure expression of Malbec. To read more about this impressive winery, read this charming story by Carm Giardina: https://vineroutes.com/versado-a-century-in-the-vines

This full-bodied wine is dark, rich, structured and very, very smooth. It has aromas of anise and dried plums; ripe fruit flavours and a long, spicy finish with integrated tannins and a lovely lingering finish. This is an impressive holiday wine to enjoy over the season, to give as a gift, or to cellar for 10 years. Serve Versado 2020 Reserva Malbec with hearty foods such as roast beef, duck breast, game meats or mushroom risotto.

December is a time to share moments with loved ones. Wines that warm the spirit can make every gathering feel truly special, from bold reds, rich whites, to sparkling and dessert wines.

Cheers to a delicious, stress-free and joyful festive season. And I wish you a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2026!

Shari 🥂

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