Expert-Approved Wine Pairings for Every Dish on Your Holiday Table

Pairing wines with festive dishes is one of the easiest ways to elevate your holiday gathering, though selecting specific bottles for each course can feel like a daunting task—unless you’ve got a team of pros at your fingertips, of course. Our Sommsation expert sommeliers have put together a bottle-specific list of wine pairings for a variety of classic holiday dishes, from baked ham and mashed potatoes to brisket, latkes, and more. Simply get your glasses ready and let our pros handle the rest!

Prime Rib - DeLille Cellars ‘Doyenne’
“This red wine is a Rhône-style blend from Washington State blending together the spice of Syrah and the smooth red fruit of Grenache, combining to give you a bold, hearty wine with an underlying velvety texture,” says Michael Meagher, Master Sommelier. Meagher notes that the wine’s sultry flavors perfectly complement the rich, savory notes of prime rib, enhancing both the dish's umami character and roasted, herb-infused crust.

Baked Ham - Erbaluna La Bettola Barbera d'Alba
For a perfect ham pairing that covers all of your bases—side dishes included—Sommsation sommelier Hugo Arias recommends reaching for this approachable, easy-drinking Barbera from Erbaluna La Bettola. “This is a wine that has a fruity character that will enhance the flavor of the ham, as its sharp acidity will help cut through the richness of the sauce, as well as the side dishes,” he says. Arias equally notes that the wine’s soft tannins will also help cleanse the palate and keep it refreshed, as well as prepare you for your next bite.

Brisket - Sleight of Hand Cellars Psychadelic Syrah
Elyse Lovenworth, lead sommelier at Sommsation, notes that brisket is synonymous with celebration and gathering of loved ones—and when done right, the meat should melt in your mouth. “Often accompanied by root vegetables like turnips, potatoes and carrots, a dish so rich needs a profound wine since anything less would essentially disappear,” she says, which is why she reaches for the textured, flavor-packed Syrah from Sleight of Hand Cellars. However, in addition to Sleight of Hand’s expression, Lovenworth notes that Stringer Cellars’ Bien Nacido Vineyard Syrah or Mount Langi Ghiran’s Langi Shiraz make for equally out-of-this-world pairings.

Latkes - Marcalberto Metodo Classico Sansannée
“Champagne and french fries are one of the most coveted and classic food and wine pairings out there—and since latkes contain almost identical ingredients and are also fried, Marcalberto Metodo Classico Sansannée is a top notch offering,” says Lovenworth. In addition to pairing perfectly with all things fried, Lovenworth notes that Marcalberto’s sparkling wine lineup will also marry beautifully with a variety of desserts. “The wines are phenomenal with Sufganiyot—IYKYK,” she says.

Sweet Potatoes - Bell Blanc de Noirs Sparkling Sonoma County
Sticking to the sparkling wine theme, Meagher equally recommends bubbles with “notoriously challenging,” side dishes—including sweet potatoes. “Sweetness in a dish often makes wine taste bitter or flat, and sweet potatoes can often overwhelm our palate,” he explains. The solution? Choosing a wine with both a textural element—in other words, bubbles—and bright acidity, which will help to balance the natural sweetness of the dish while also refreshing the palate. “Plus, the delicate cherry and strawberry notes will bring out the earthiness of the potatoes and lend itself well to pairing up with the rest of what's on your plate,” he says.

Mashed Potatoes - Hawk and Horse Sparkling Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon 
“For mashed potatoes and gravy, I would do a sparkling wine with a lot of character like the Hawk and Horse Sparkling Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon, which can cut through the creaminess of the potatoes and the rich flavor of the gravy,” says Arias. Similarly, Lovenworth notes that sparkling wines are generally an obvious choice for holiday get-togethers and celebrations, making it a great time to try new bubblies from off-the-beaten-path regions.

Roasted Vegetables - Halter Ranch Rosé Adelaida District, Paso Robles
But it's winter you say—and rosé is a summer wine? “Bah humbug! Rosé is an incredibly versatile style that works year-round, especially when it comes to vegetables,” Meagher explains. From potatoes and root vegetables to beets, turnips, and other ‘hard-to-pair’ veggies, Meagher notes that pairing these dishes with rosé can elevate the earthy notes found in the dish, while also adding a touch of buoyant fruit character that remains fresh, crisp, and zippy on the palate.

Holiday Cookies, Festive Pies, & More – Clif Family Petite Sirah Dessert Wine

When it comes to pairing wine with dessert, the golden rule to remember is to generally keep your wine sweeter than the treat at hand; enter Clif Family's Petite Sirah dessert wine, the answer to all of your holiday dessert pairing needs. Arias notes that the wine particularly shines when paired with treats made with ample baking spices, thanks to its very sweet and complex nature. “The wine has nice acidity that cleanses your palate from the crumbles and textures of a variety of desserts,” he explains.