If my true love wrote the 12 days of Christmas, there would definitely be wine in there somewhere!
So to rectify this on the fifth day of Christmas I am giving you “Five wines worth swigging”. Much better than five golden rings or five fat poaka (Maori for pigs), in the Kiwi version ;).
Five wines worth swigging
1. Moscato
It seems this one is a bit of a Crash Test Community favorite. What’s not to like? It’s light, slightly sweet, a little bit fizzy and low alcohol.
Food match
Perfect for a light Christmas breakfast or brunch, and has the added bonus of not getting you too trolleyed before the main event.
Recommendation
Innocent Bystander Yarra Valley Moscato approx $15
2. Sparkling Shiraz
That’s right a sparkling red wine. A lovely juicy and rich wine, yet light and bubbly with that all important festive fizz.
Food Match
Another good breakfast wine if meats like bacon or ham are on the menu. Also goes brilliantly with turkey in the same way cranberry sauce does!
Recommendation
Seppelt Sparkling Shiraz approx $20
3. Sauvignon Blanc Semillon or Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
This fresh tangy wine is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon which makes it a little bit milder than a straight Sav Blanc.
Food Match
This one makes the list as a perfect match for the quintessential Christmas seafood platter. As much as I love a good Malborough Sauvignon Blanc, it can be too acidic for the subtle flavors of seafood.
Recommendation
Voyager Estate Margaret River Sauvignon Blac Semillon approx $20
4. Pinot Grigio
This Italian style variety is a friendly white wine that is refreshing and enjoyable to drink.
Food Match
Pinot Grigio is very food friendly and will go well with almost anything from seafood to ham and turkey. It’s a real crowd pleaser so if this is the only wine you serve up you’ll be doing well!
Recommendation
Ninth Island Tasmanian Pinot Grigio approx $17!
5. Muscat
A sweet sticky fortified wine with the deep flavor and richness of raisins. A decadent way to finish your Christmas feast.
Food Match
An excellent mate for a traditional Christmas pudding. If you’re going to serve pavlova or trifle, then stick with the Moscato or your favorite dessert wine.
Recommendation
Campbell’s Rutherglen Muscat approx $20
We will definitely be breaking out some Moscato to take to our Christmas morning street party and I’m looking forward to tucking into some major seafood platter action!
I hope this guide helps you find a wine that’s right for your Christmas this year.
Merry Christmas!
Because it’s Tuesday I’m linking up with all the other brave bloggers for I Blog on Tuesday with Jess from Diary of a SAHM for her crazy Christmas Vlog edition of IBOT!
Laney
Good reading Laney – i can never chose the right type of wine. i have that to the other half, he has much better skill in this area :)
Caz’s last post..HEALTHY LIVING: confessing my shame
It just takes a bit of practice and a good memory! Simple food matching guidelines are good because you don’t have to remember specific labels, just the style of wine. Makes it easier to choose.
Oh I’m a wine novice. In fact I know NOTHING about wine except I don’t like most but fall in love with anything sweet. I’ve bookmarked this though to come back to when I can drink wine again.
Tutu Ames’s last post..Christmas Shopping Tips
Hopefully there will be some more tips for you by the time Sesame is born! You can check out the Crash Test Wine category and check out all the other posts with good simple info and recommendations too! Thanks for dropping by Ames :)
I’m loving an SSB (as my Big Nutshell calls it) in this warm weather. It is my favourite wine at the moment.
Good idea to have a moscato for breakfast though. You know I only just realised that they are lower in alchohol?
Thanks for linking this year Laney.
Jess’s last post..IBOT the Christmas Vlog Edition
I’ve always preferred a SB over an SSB, but when it comes to seafood, the SSB is much better.
Moscato is generally around 5% alcohol – not bad!
It has been fun linking up this year Jess – thanks for hosting :)
Moscato is my new absolute favourite, so might give the “innocent Bystander” a swig, even if only for it’s very cool name! Thanks for the tips! xo
Misha – The Bling Buoy’s last post..Comment on Welcome to The Bling Buoy!!!! by Actually mummy…
It does have a cool name, quite a nice colour too – it’s pink, naturally!
I am clueless with wine but I know I had to start out sweet when I first dabbled only a few years ago – bortrytis (I’m not much of a drinker usually). I can go a tad more dry now but sweet undertones are still essential for me. I even crave a sip sometimes. Lucky I can stop at a few sips usually. I’ve never been drunk and very slightly giddy once totally put me off excess. Lucky me!
Veronica @ Mixed Gems’s last post..Be Kind to Yourself
I love a nice botrytis dessert wine – so lovely. I think you would enjoy the Moscato – and it’s low alcohol so less chance of getting drunk :)
I love sparkling shiraz and a tip fro anyone who loves it or wants to try it out – if you have a Vintage cellars near you try their clean skin version. I was prepared to pay 420 for a good bottle ands they steered me to trying their under 410 bottle instead and it was beautiful! It is a perfect Christmas drink.
Deb @ Home life simplified’s last post..Christmas Cooking for Kids
Great tip Deb. It looks like your shift key didn’t work, so I’m going to assume your meant $20 and $10 right?:)
Yes – that would be a lovely $10!
Deb @ Home life simplified’s last post..7 Deadly Sins of Goal Setting
Love a good sav blanc. I can’t pronounce it, or spell it, but I’m very good at drinking it.
Michelle’s last post..Why Siri will never rule the world
Sav Blanc, Sauv Blanc, SB – whatever works! It’s a great drop and one of my summer favourites.
I’m a sav blanc/semillion girl – hoping i’m off my antibiotics by the weekend to enjoy a xmas beverage or three. Thanks for the tips Laney and a merry xmas to you and your family!
Kirsty @ My Home Truths’s last post..I Hate Being Sick
I hope you’re better by Christmas too Kirsty. I was on antibiotics on my wedding day! I think I had about 1 and half glasses of Champers.
Merry Christmas to you too, have fun with your family x
Mmmm thanks Laney – I totally suck at knowing what wine gors with what. I just drink Sem sav Blanc with everyone. Thanks for the tips though, maybe now I can look like i have half a clue this Chrissy. Have a great Christmas hun and I hope you get some much needed and deserved R&R. xxx
Sonia @ Life Love and Hiccups’s last post..A Chaotic VLOG Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas
Hey, drink what you like ;) If you love SSB then go with it I say. It can be quite fun doing a bit of wine and food matching though. This is a pretty simple guide, so it should be quite easy. Have fun!
Merry Christmas to you too. I’m soooo looking forward to have a big sleep in tomorrow.
you know the fact you recommended a wine to go with breakfast makes you my new favourite person! have a great Christmas Laney xx
mums the word’s last post..An Open Letter to Men
Ha ha! You’re welcome :) Merry Christmas to you too Sarah x
Thanks for the tips Laney. I will be heading out tomorrow with your list of reccomendations for track down something so I don’t have to down another glass of Asti Riccadonna on Christmas day. It is my Italian IL’s go to bottle for celebrations and I don’t think I can stomach it again…
Amy @ MahliMoo’s last post..My Christmas Wish List
Oh no – no Asti Riccadonna! Definitely hunt down a nice Moscato – stat!
Excellent reference list Laney! I love a bit of Moscato or Brown Brothers Zibbobo for xmas breakfast and Kevin Sobel Pinot Grigio is one of my absolute favourite wines, sooo easy to drink and no hangover! I hope you and your family have a lovely christmas and your health issues do not have to hold the focus for too long xxx
Erin @ Eat Play Bond’s last post..Christmas: Festive Fatigue
Zibbobo! Now that’s one I haven’t heard of – will have to look it up. I haven’t tried the Kevin Sobel either, so thanks for the recommendation.
Thanks for the Chrissy wishes. I’m just waiting for hubby to pick me up to take me to my hair appointment before hospital later. I didn’t plan it that way and feels weird getting my hair done for an operation!
Merry Christmas to you and yours too x
What a great list Laney, thanks for sharing will certainly be looking a couple up
Rhianna’s last post..Slip, Slop, Slap, Snap. Bananas in Pyjamas Review & Give Away
Glad you like it! Even if you don’t get the specific wines, at least you have a guide to the styles. Have fun!
I’m so envious that you have a Christmas Morning Street Party- sounds wonderful!!
I like the Gossips Moscato. At only 3 Standard drinks per bottle and around $4, it means this pregnant lady can have a small glass on Christmas Eve and a small glass with Christmas lunch and if no one else finishes the bottle (which I’m sure they will!!) it’s not a waste of expensive wine anyhow!!
Jenn’s last post..wordless wednesday – some favourite instagram pics part two
I think our street party will be rained out with our stormy Melbourne weather forecast. Moscato is perfect for a wee sip while you’re preggers. I only drank on special occasions and only wish I had discovered Moscato earlier. I think I had a small glass of Champagne on NYE and for my friend’s birthday.