So you forgot to bring something for Christmas Dinner? Here’s how we fix it for you!

So, you only had one job: Bring a dish to Christmas dinner. But, you forgot, right? And now, if you walk through those doors empty-handed, grandma will be giving you the evil eye and talking about you and this minor transgression for years to come. Fortunately for you, we have the perfect quick-fix solution! What should you bring and how much of it, you ask? Well that’s easy… Dessert! It’s so easy to grab a quick dessert and a bottle of wine to pair it with. From the most decadent chocolate desserts to a light and airy tart, sweets will be in excess and your guests will be waiting to dig into each slice. What better way to finish a hearty meal than with the perfect dessert and the perfect wine to cleanse the palette? So, here are some of your most common dessert and wine pairings for your Holiday merriment.

 

Apple Pie & Riesling

 

Who doesn’t love a warm, gooey apple pie after turkey smothered and covered in gravy? So, go ahead and grab one from the freezer aisle. Or for the brave-hearted and the Betty Crockers, make one from scratch! Either way, the perfect wine to accompany this traditional dessert is a nice, crisp, and refreshing Riesling – perhaps the most noble and versatile white wines.

 

Sweet Potato Pie & Orange Muscat

 

There is no such thing as the holidays without Sweet Potato Pie, and you’ll more than likely be talked about if you decide to bring one that is store bought. But when you’re in a rush and you forgot to bring dessert, a fresh one from your local grocer will suffice. For this pairing, Orange Muscat will bring forth the fullest flavors from your pie. This wine is full-bodied and and sweet. Each glass will have notes of spicy orange, apricot, and pear flavors – a lovely addition to a holiday classic.

 

 

Rich, Chocolate Desserts & Vintage Port

Sweet, decadent chocolate – melting right in your mouth. Yummy! The best combination for chocolate and wine is a classic, vintage port. Now, a vintage port may be a little pricey depending upon age and brand, but it will be well worth it. It will also be more likely to get you and the family feeling pretty good as port wines typically possess a higher alcohol content than unfortified wines. This wine is rich, sweet, and heavy – pairing well with chocolate and cheese.

 

Red Velvet Cake & Pinot Noir

Red Velvet Cake – a southern go-to for any occasion. But in this case, we’re bringing ours with one of the most popular wines in world. This sweet, romantic wine paired with the perfection of red velvet cake and its cream cheese icing is sure to leave guests satisfied. Pinot Noir is much lighter than other wines, so it will not overpower the richness of the cake.

 

Cheesecake & White Zinfandel

Cheesecake is one of the quickest desserts to prepare of grab on your way over to mom and dad’s. And as you run out of the grocer, you can head on over to the liquor store for a bottle of White Zinfandel. With its fruity characteristics and rosy color, White Zinfandel pairs perfectly with cheeses. This wine is dry to sweet, and is usually a pink-colored blush wine. These two paired is the best combination for those who do not like desserts that are overwhelmingly sweet.

 

 

Caramel, Buttery Desserts & Pinot Noir

 Caramel or buttery desserts need a subtle, less sweet wine. Sweet on top of sweet may not be the best combination of flavors and may bombard the taste buds. Try Pinot Noir for this dessert as well. They come together to make a great team. Delicious, fun, and incredibly tasty – there won’t be a drop of wine or a hint of dessert left.

Rule of thumb: Choose a wine that is light and airy. And, when all else fails, and you still cannot find the perfect wine to accompany your dessert – remember, Champagne goes with everything! Enjoy the time with your loved ones, be thankful, and dig in! Oh, and next time, don’t forget your dish!

Happy Holidays!