Holiday Wine Pairings
The holidays are all about celebrating and no matter what those celebrations look like this year, and they can definitely include wine from Oregon’s Tualatin Valley! This Christmas and New Year’s Eve, toast to the end of 2020 and a fresh start. Pick the right wines to pair with anything your holiday meal includes.
See which wineries are open for tastings on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day >>>
Pairings for the Main Dish
Whether it’s turkey, ham, prime rib or fish at the center of your holiday table, Tualatin Valley wineries have a wine to match. Red wines generally pair well with full-flavored meats like steak or lamb. Explore beyond Oregon’s classic Pinot Noir with other red wines. White wines pair better with lighter meats such as seafood and chicken. Oregon favorite Pinot Noir is lighter than other reds and its fruit forward flavor pairs well with many meats, including turkey!
Sweet and White Wines
Cookies, hot chocolate and candy canes don’t have to be the only sweets you enjoy on Christmas. Pinot Noir pairs well with chocolate, but dessert wines are a sweet way to finish off a holiday meal. Try David Hill’s port, a dessert Syrah from Blizzard Wines, an indulgent Viognier Dolce Vino from Apolloni Vineyards or a late-harvest sweet Riesling from Elk Cove Vineyards.
Contrary to popular belief, Oregon Rielsings are not candy sweet. Here in Tualatin Valley, Riesling tends to be on the dry side–not sweet–and is crisp and floral. This varietal has evolved over the years and is the perfect complement to rich foods, as well as spicy foods, if that’s what your holiday table will serve.
Where to find Riesling in Tualatin Valley:
- Alloro Vineyard
- Blakeslee Vineyard
- David Hill Vineyards
- Kramer Vineyards
- Montinore Estate
- Patton Valley Vineyard
- Plum Hill Vineyards
- Ponzi Vineyards
Another option you can even make at home is mulled wine. Grab any Tualatin Valley red wine, sugar, fresh oranges, cinnamon sticks, mulling spices (cloves, star anise, cardamom etc.) — maybe a bit of liqueur. This holiday drink is enjoyed warm. Try this recipe >>>
Bubbly
Of course, no New Year’s Eve is complete without a toast with some bubbles. Pair it with midnight snacks like cheese board staples brie and gouda, popcorn, fruity desserts or shortbread cookies.
Where to get sparkling wine in Tualatin Valley:
- Apolloni Vineyards
- Kramer Vineyards
- Elk Cove Vineyards
- Hawks View Winery
- Montinore Estate
- Ponzi Vineyards
- Raptor Ridge Winery
- Six Peaks Winery
- Tualatin Estate
- Union Wine Co.
Try these holiday wine pairings to make your celebrations extra merry and bright this year. Enjoy the treat of Tualatin Valley wine to ring in the new year.
