Indian Drinks & Wine Pairings For Your Christmas Day Meal

Brussels sprout pakoras with Indian sparkling wine

Brussel sprout pakoras: Whet the appetite with a crunchy, deep-fried spin on the oft-feared Christmas veg staple. Dip them in some tamarind and cranberry chutney and you’ve got a new festive favourite that will have everyone saying how much they now LOVE Brussel sprouts!

Indian Wine Match: Anything fried and fatty screams out for freshness; a chilled sparkling wine is always the answer. The Fratelli Gran Cuveé Brut has been made like Champagne but with the Chenin Blanc grape and is the perfect pairing. It’s crisp, fresh and dry, and will refresh the palate instantly.

Tandoori Turkey, and Ghee Roast Potaties with Indian wine suggestions

Tandoori Turkey: The centrepiece dish of the Christmas table, a tandoori turkey can be prepared the same way as tandoori chicken - marinated with delicious spices and yoghurt and then roasted. You could even serve it with a spicy masala gravy and mango chutney instead of cranberry sauce.

Ghee roast potatoes: Everyone knows that a good roastie has to be crispy when you bite into it and then melt in your mouth when you eat it - and ghee is the star ingredient to achieve this! Sprinkle on some spices for some fragrant flair.

A Celebration Biryani: Whether you’re making it with vegetables, meat or seafood, this iconic rice dish with its layers of flavour, texture and aroma, can be a main or a side dish on the Christmas table. Seasonal scents of nutmeg, clove and cardamom will fill the air as the lid is lifted from the pot.

Indian Wine Match: It’s always good to give a white and a red option for the table and everyone can have fun deciding which they like best. The Myne Chenin Blanc is a tropical-fruited white wine with a hint of honey, and it has enough body to stand up to big flavours and texture. For a red, I’d go with the versatile Grover Zampa La Reserve Syrah Grenache . Spice isn’t often complemented by hard, grippy tannins, so this wine is ideal with its smooth, silky texture. Juicy red fruit notes and some chocolate and vanilla tones will mingle effortlessly with the vibrant flavours of these gorgeous dishes.

Goan beef roast with a bold Indian red wine

Goan Beef Roast: 

Roast beef is a big Christmas favourite, but this slow-cooked version with flavours of garlic, ginger, cinnamon and black pepper is a celebratory festive dish for good reason. The tender, juicy meat can be served alongside the other main dishes for the ultimate crowd-pleasing feast or it can be sliced to make the most incredible, flavour-popping sandwiches.

Wine Match: We always match the weight of the wine with the weight of the food, so this dish asks for a full-bodied wine with bold flavours. Please welcome Fratelli Sette , a beautiful blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, which has been aged in French oak barrels for over a year. Bringing together rich, ripe fruit with toastiness from the oak, this is your ideal winter-warmer and a sublime match for beef.

Indian Christmas desserts: plum cake and kulkuls with Indian Dessert Wine

Desserts! Plum cake and Kulkuls: Traditionally made in southern India at Christmas, plum cake offers richness and spice, making for an indulgent dessert, while kulkuls are a staple addition to a sweet plate and can be snacked on at all hours of the day or night!

Wine Match: While some people go back to sparkling wine for dessert, it’s actually not the best partner for sweet foods, as sugar in food makes the wine taste drier and harder, while a dry wine can make sweet desserts taste even sweeter. For a more harmonious experience, try a  luscious dessert wine like the Reveilo Late Harvest Chenin Blanc for the plum cake and the lighter-bodied Vivaz Muscat for grazing on kulkuls and other Indian sweets.

Wishing you hearty and merry feasting this Christmas!