December marks the start of winter and the festive season, inviting you to open bottles for cozy nights and holiday gatherings. So whether you’re planning a holiday dinner, hunting for the perfect gift, searching for the best winter red wines, or looking for the perfect sparkling wine for New Year’s Eve, my Picks highlight wines you can explore that suit every taste and occasion —along with my pairing tips.
Classic wines for December’s winter evenings
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 notes. 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 rich stews, grilled meats, 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.
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.
Chardonnay
The classic white. 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 notes 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.
Top areas: Loire Valley (France) and Swartland, Stellenbosch, Paarl (South Africa)
Sparkling Wine and Champagne
Bubbles make everything brighter, and sparkling wine is the ultimate celebration wine! Consider Champagne, Franciacorta (Italy’s top sparkling wine), Ontario sparkling wine, Cava (Spain), Cremant (France), or Prosecco (Italy) to elevate your holiday gatherings or New Year’s celebrations. One of the most versatile styles of wine, it is enjoyed with appetizers, shellfish, and brunch dishes.
Top areas; Champagne (France); Franciacorta (Italy); Niagara (Ontario); 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 for Christmas dinner, Hanukkah gatherings, or winter celebrations.
Pinot Noir — great with turkey or duck
Cru Beaujolais (France) — ideal for ham or charcuterie boards
Dry Riesling — perfect with spicy or citrus dishes
Sparkling Rosé — festive and food-friendly
Wine makes a thoughtful holiday gift.
Consider gifting:
- A well-aged Bordeaux for classic wine lovers
- A small-production Pinot Noir for something unique
- A premium sparkling wine for New Year’s Eve
- A dessert wine for sweet-toothed friends
Add a personalized note for extra holiday charm!
On December 6, VINTAGES released a deliciously serious wine 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
Celebrate this festive season. December is a time to slow down and 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 and joyful December!
Shari 🥂
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