5 Bordeaux wines to go with Christmas Dinner
It could be said the wonderful wines of Bordeaux and the traditional Christmas dinner menu were made for one another. Showcasing a range of styles from the Left and Right Banks, the world-renowned reds and whites from this esteemed region have the diversity to match the marvellous medley of festive flavours and textures typical of the Christmas dinner table.
Whether you're serving a classic holiday feast or a veggie version, Bordeaux wine is the perfect pairing!
Powerful and bold
Château Leoville Barton second growth
Style: Left Bank Bordeaux Blend, Saint-Julien
€70 - 180
Profile: Concentrated blueberry, blackberry and plum with hints of tobacco and a touch of liquorice in a balanced, opulent, velvety palate with smooth tannins.
Why it works: This classic Bordeaux blend has the power to match the richness of a traditional festive dinner, but its silky tannins don’t overpower the dishes’ flavours. Lovely fruit complements the zest of cranberry sauce and contrasts with honey-glazed ham while its earthier notes enhance vegetarian fare and all the tasty crispy vegetable dishes.
Sub-region: This iconic style is produced in the appellation of Saint-Julien in the stunning Médoc, located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gironde estuary, which you can explore in a wine trip in Bordeaux. With its gravel, clay, and limestone, the soils here favour powerful Cabernet Sauvignon, the dominant grape in this blend, followed by juicy Merlot and elegant Cabernet Franc.
Intense and fresh
Château Cantemerle fifth growth
Style: Left Bank Bordeaux Blend, Haut-Médoc
€30 - 50
Profile: This is a timeless Bordeaux blend explodes with the flavours of cassis, underpinned by appealing cedar hints in a mid-weight red with lively acidity and fine tannins.
Why it works: This elegant Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant wine has a core of fruit that enhances the dense, white meat of turkey and tangy cranberry sauce. Its fresh tartness cuts through the crispiness of the festive dishes while its cedar notes complement the earthiness of roast potatoes, parsnips, Brussels sprouts and the nutty, mushroom tones in veggie fare.
Sub-region: Hailing from the Haut-Médoc, just to the north of Bordeaux city and west of the Garonne River, Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in this appellation’s alluvial and gravel soils while deposits of clay nourish Merlot vines. Its convenient location, beauty and historic vinicultural pedigree make it ideal for one of a selection of Bordeaux day wine tours!
Fruity and rich
Château Peymouton
Style: Right Bank blend, Saint-Émilion, Grand Cru
€15- 30
Profile: This Merlot-dominant style is typical of this appellation and one you can enjoy ‘a-plenty’ during a St Emilion wine tour. This delightfully jammy red bursts with ripe raspberry beautifully balanced by hints of vanilla, exotic spice and smooth chocolate tones. Medium-bodied with cedar notes, it displays firm tannins and fresh acidity.
Why it works: The standout feature of this Saint-Émilion is its dense, layered, velvety fruit which stands up to the richness of classic Christmas dishes, both traditional and veggie, without overpowering any of the flavours. Another winning feature is its vibrant acidity which slices through the crackling texture of a gorgeously roasted turkey and the crunchy vegetable dressings.
Sub-region: Heading over to the right bank of Bordeaux’s Gironde River, we find another illustrious area that you can explore in a Saint Emilion wine tour. This spot is renowned for its fruity, soft reds thanks to the Merlot grape that thrives in its clay-rich soils. Nicely herbaceous Cabernet Franc also does well in the limestone, gravel terrain of this charming appellation. Saint-Émilion has a unique hierarchy system with wines like this Grand Cru crafted to tighter production standards than regular local reds. The charming mediaeval namesake village itself is breathtaking, so highly recommended as a stop in one of a selection of wine tours in St Emilion.
Lively and fruity white
Château Carbonnieux, Graves
Style: Bordeaux white
€40
Profile: Iconic blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc results in a structured, balanced and complex white with acacia, citrus, peach, hazelnut, and beeswax all lifted by vibrant acidity, mineral notes, and saline hints.
Why it works: This rich white has a beautiful heart of white fruit, delicate nuttiness, and lively vivacious freshness that make it a perfect match for vegetarian and vegan recipes as well as traditional festive ham dishes. Its crisp tartness contrasts elegantly with the satisfying delicious, crusty textures of holiday mains and sides.
Sub-region: Found on the outskirts of the region’s namesake city making it perfect for one day in Bordeaux , Graves is a benchmark white wine sub-region in Bordeaux. Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon are this area’s flagship white grapes, turning out classic blends that have inspired winemakers around the globe. Graves itself is lushly green in the spring and summer with forests, country trails and waterways so it’s ideal for a bike tour in Bordeaux, combining sightseeing with great wine!
Luscious, sweet and opulent
Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Premier Grand Cru Classé
Style: Sauternes dessert wine
€40
Profile: One of the world’s iconic dessert wines, Sauternes displays sumptuous apricot, orange marmalade, marzipan, florals, honey, and nutty oak in a syrupy-textured, rounded wine with richness lifted by a brilliant acidity.
Why it works: Holiday desserts like Christmas pudding, chocolate log, mince pies, and trifle are as extravagant as it gets - and they need an equally luscious wine to help them shine. A glass of Sauternes has a rich yet fresh and balanced sweetness and pleasing viscous texture to pair like a dream with any festive dessert. Such a pairing is truly memorable and even more impressive if you’ve picked up the Sauternes in person during one of several wine tours in Bordeaux.
Sub-region: Sauternes is located in Bordeaux’s Graves region where a blend of fruity Sémillon, tart Sauvignon, and fragrant Muscadelle produce its legendary eponymous dessert wine. Gravel and clay help these grapes along with a unique vineyard condition called “noble rot” drying the berries and concentrating flavours. When farmed organically with small yields, as is the practice of Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, the wine quality is exceptional. The estate, owned by luxury French glassmaker Lalique which also runs a wine-themed boutique hotel in the appellation’s Bommes village, neighbours the terroir of the world-famous Château d'Yquem. Such wine legends are commonplace across the region and worth exploring in a choice of Bordeaux wine tours.
Whether you’re making a traditional festive spread or vegetarian dishes, Bordeaux wines offer excellent options for Christmas pairings!
Learn all of this and more through a true Wine Pilgrimage Of the Bordeuax Vineyards on one of our Wine tour experiences.
