Top Wines for Christmas Dinner

Christmas dinner is one of those meals where the drinks matter almost as much as the food. After the cooking, decorating, setting the table and gathering everyone together, choosing the right wine can make the meal feel even more special.

But there is no single wine that works for every Christmas dinner. A Nigerian Christmas table can include everything from jollof rice, fried rice and grilled chicken to turkey, barbecue, peppered meat, small chops and rich desserts. Some guests may prefer something sweet and easy to drink, while others may enjoy a more traditional dry or sparkling wine.

That is why choosing a Christmas dinner wine should be less about buying the most expensive bottle and more about finding something that fits the food, the people at the table and the atmosphere of the celebration.

If you are looking for something a little different from the usual bottles that appear at Christmas parties, there are several wines worth considering this year. Options such as Amabile di Rosa Sweet Red, Anna Spinato Moscato, Bella Bellina Sweet Red, Chateau Vartely Cabernet Sweet Red, Drevnii Monah Sweet Red, Gala Rosa Rosso Red Wine and Isolabella della Croce Moscato White Wine can give your Christmas table a more interesting selection.

What Makes a Wine Good for Christmas Dinner?

Christmas dinner is usually a long meal rather than a quick drink-and-go occasion. People eat, talk, return for another serving, take pictures and spend hours together.

This means the best wine for the occasion should be enjoyable enough to drink alongside food without becoming overwhelming.

Sweet wines are often a practical choice when you are serving a mixed group because their approachable flavour profile can appeal to people who do not normally drink wine. Moscato wines can also work well for guests who prefer lighter, sweeter or more aromatic styles.

Red wines, meanwhile, can be particularly suitable for heavier dishes such as roasted meats, grilled chicken and richly seasoned meals.

There is also nothing wrong with having more than one type of wine available. In fact, offering two or three different styles can be a better approach when you are hosting guests with different preferences.

For a simple explanation of how sweetness affects the drinking experience, What Makes a Wine Sweet, Dry, or Semi-Sweet is a useful guide to read before choosing your bottles.

1. Amabile di Rosa Sweet Red

Amabile di Rosa Sweet Red is an interesting option for anyone who wants something outside the usual Christmas wine choices.

The word “sweet” already gives an indication of the style, making it a potentially approachable choice for guests who prefer wines that are softer and less dry. This can be especially useful at a Christmas dinner where not everyone at the table is an experienced wine drinker.

A sweet red can sit comfortably alongside a festive meal and can also continue to work when the conversation moves away from dinner and into the evening.

If you are buying wine for a family Christmas gathering and want to include something different without choosing an overly complicated bottle, Amabile di Rosa Sweet Red is worth considering.

Best suited for: Guests who prefer sweet red wines and hosts looking for a less-common option.

2. Anna Spinato Moscato

Moscato is often associated with a lighter, sweeter and more approachable style of wine, making Anna Spinato Moscato an option worth considering for Christmas dinner.

It can be a particularly good choice when your guests are not all red-wine drinkers. Rather than assuming that everyone wants a bold red wine with their meal, having a Moscato available gives people another direction.

Anna Spinato Moscato can also make sense as part of the earlier stages of a Christmas gathering. If guests are arriving before dinner, a lighter wine can be served while everyone settles in before the main meal.

The important thing is not to treat every wine as though it has to accompany every dish. Some bottles work particularly well as a welcome drink or alongside lighter foods, while others make more sense with the main course.

Best suited for: Guests who enjoy Moscato-style wines and people who prefer sweeter, lighter wine options.

3. Bella Bellina Sweet Red

Bella Bellina Sweet Red is another wine to consider when you want an easy-going bottle for a Christmas gathering.

Sweet red wines are particularly useful for social occasions because they do not require everyone at the table to have a strong preference for wine. They can work for casual drinking, conversations and meals without making the occasion feel overly formal.

Bella Bellina can also be considered when you are hosting a larger group and want to provide a sweet red option alongside another style of wine.

This is one of those situations where having variety can be more valuable than buying several bottles of exactly the same type.

Best suited for: Casual Christmas dinners, family gatherings and guests who enjoy sweet red wine.

4. Chateau Vartely Cabernet Sweet Red

Chateau Vartely Cabernet Sweet Red gives the Christmas table another sweet red option while bringing a Cabernet-based wine into the selection.

It can be worth considering when you want a wine that feels a little more distinctive than the familiar bottles commonly found at festive gatherings.

A wine like this can also give your guests an opportunity to try something they may not normally pick for themselves. Christmas is, after all, a good time to introduce friends and family to new bottles.

When serving it with food, think about the overall richness of the meal. A wine selected for a substantial Christmas dinner should complement the experience rather than compete with strongly seasoned dishes.

Best suited for: Hosts who want a less-common sweet red wine for a festive dinner.

5. Drevnii Monah Sweet Red

Drevnii Monah Sweet Red is another strong option for a Christmas dinner, particularly for people who enjoy sweet red wines.

The wine is from Moldova and has an approachable character that makes it suitable for social occasions and meals. Its sweet red style can work particularly well for guests who are not interested in very dry wines.

Drevnii Monah can also fit naturally into a Nigerian Christmas menu. Dishes such as jollof rice, grilled chicken, barbecue, small chops and fruit-based desserts can all appear during the same celebration, giving a versatile sweet red wine plenty of opportunities to be enjoyed.

If you have not tried the bottle before, What to Expect from Drevnii Monah Sweet Red Wine goes into greater detail about the wine and the kinds of occasions and foods it can suit.

Best suited for: Christmas dinners, casual celebrations, sweet-wine drinkers and guests who are trying wine for the first time.

6. Gala Rosa Rosso Red Wine

Gala Rosa Rosso Red Wine is another bottle that can bring variety to a Christmas dinner.

Its approachable style makes it worth considering for a relaxed festive gathering where wine is expected to be part of the social experience rather than the centre of attention.

This is especially relevant when hosting friends or extended family. You may have guests who enjoy wine regularly alongside others who only drink it occasionally. A straightforward red option can help bridge that gap.

Gala Rosa Rosso can also be considered for the wider Christmas celebration, not just the main meal. It can fit into an evening where guests move between eating, talking and relaxing.

Best suited for: Relaxed Christmas dinners, family gatherings and social celebrations.

7. Isolabella della Croce Moscato White Wine

Not every Christmas table needs to revolve around red wine.

Isolabella della Croce Moscato White Wine gives you a white-wine option for guests who prefer something different from sweet reds. Including a white wine can make your selection feel more thoughtful, especially when you are hosting people with different tastes.

A Moscato-style white wine can also be useful before or after the main course. It does not have to be restricted to the moment when the Christmas dinner is served.

This makes it a useful bottle to have when you want to give guests a choice rather than deciding that everyone should drink the same wine throughout the evening.

Best suited for: Guests who prefer white wine or Moscato and hosts who want variety at the Christmas table.

Red Wine or White Wine for Christmas Dinner?

The answer depends largely on the food being served and the preferences of your guests.

If your Christmas menu is dominated by roasted, grilled or heavily seasoned meats, red wine may feel more natural alongside the meal. Sweet red wines can also be approachable for guests who prefer softer, sweeter flavours.

White wine can make more sense when the menu includes lighter dishes or when some guests simply prefer white wine. It is also useful to have available before dinner, particularly when guests are arriving gradually.

There is no rule saying that a Christmas dinner must have only one wine.

In fact, serving two different styles can make the experience better. For example, you could offer a sweet red wine with the main meal and a Moscato option for guests who prefer something lighter or sweeter.

What Wine Goes With Nigerian Christmas Food?

A Nigerian Christmas dinner can be very different from a traditional Western Christmas meal, so wine pairing should take the actual menu into account.

Jollof Rice

Jollof rice has a rich tomato-based flavour and can be fairly well seasoned. A sweet red wine can provide a pleasant contrast to the savoury and spicy elements of the dish.

Drevnii Monah Sweet Red, Bella Bellina Sweet Red or another approachable sweet red can therefore be considered when jollof rice is part of the Christmas menu.

Fried Rice and Chicken

Fried rice and chicken give you a combination of savoury, roasted and sometimes lightly spiced flavours.

A red wine can work well with grilled or roasted chicken, while a white Moscato can provide an alternative for guests who do not want red wine.

Turkey

Turkey is one of the most common proteins served during Christmas, and the preparation method matters.

Roasted or grilled turkey can work with red wine, particularly when the meal contains rich sauces or strongly seasoned sides. If the turkey is prepared with a lighter flavour profile, a white wine can also be considered.

Small Chops

Small chops are usually served before or alongside the main meal, which makes them ideal for a wine that guests can casually enjoy while socialising.

A sweet red or Moscato can work well here, particularly if guests are not yet ready for the heavier dinner.

Desserts

Christmas desserts create another opportunity to serve a sweeter wine.

Rather than choosing a very dry wine alongside a sweet dessert, consider whether the sweetness levels will complement each other. A sweeter wine can be easier to enjoy with cakes, fruit-based desserts and other festive treats.

How Many Bottles of Wine Do You Need for Christmas Dinner?

The number of bottles depends on the number of guests, how long the celebration will last and whether other drinks will be served.

If wine is only one of several drink options, you may not need as much as you would if wine were the main alcoholic drink.

For a small family dinner, two or three different bottles may be enough to give guests a choice. For a larger Christmas gathering, you can increase the quantity based on expected consumption.

It is also better to offer variety than to buy a large number of bottles that all have the same style.

For example, a host could choose:

• One or two sweet red wines
• One Moscato or white wine
• A sparkling wine for the toast
• Non-alcoholic options for guests who do not drink alcohol

This approach gives people choices without making the drinks table unnecessarily complicated.

Should You Serve Champagne at Christmas Dinner?

Champagne or another sparkling wine can add a celebratory touch to Christmas, particularly when there is a toast involved.

However, sparkling wine does not have to replace your dinner wine. It can be served when guests arrive or reserved for a Christmas toast before everyone moves on to dinner.

If you are unsure about the terminology, The Difference Between Champagne and Sparkling Wine explains why the two terms should not always be used interchangeably.

For a Nigerian Christmas celebration, sparkling wine can be especially useful when you want to create a clear transition between the arrival of guests and the main dinner.

How to Serve Wine at Christmas Dinner

Serving wine properly does not have to become a complicated exercise.

First, avoid serving every wine at the same temperature. Different wine styles can be enjoyed differently, so check the recommended serving conditions for the specific bottle.

Second, give guests suitable glasses where possible. You do not necessarily need a different glass for every type of wine, but clean wine glasses can make the experience more enjoyable.

Third, do not open every bottle at once if you are serving several varieties. Start with the wines that make sense for guests arriving or eating lighter foods, then move toward the wines intended for the main meal.

Finally, keep unopened bottles properly stored until they are needed. Heat and excessive exposure to sunlight are not ideal for wine.

Choosing Christmas Wine Based on Your Guests

One of the easiest mistakes to make when buying Christmas wine is choosing entirely according to personal taste.

If you are hosting, remember that the bottles are being served to several people.

A better approach is to think about the group.

If most guests prefer sweet wine, your selection should include sweet options. If some guests prefer white wine, add a white bottle. If the gathering is more formal, you might want to include a sparkling wine or a premium bottle alongside the everyday options.

And if you are buying wine as a gift for the host, consider what they normally drink rather than assuming that an expensive bottle will automatically be appreciated.

This same principle applies when choosing drinks for guests generally. Our guide What to Serve Guests When You Don’t Know Their Preference explores how to build a drink selection when you are unsure what everyone likes.

Conclusion

The best wine for Christmas dinner is not necessarily the most expensive or most famous bottle on the shelf. It is the bottle that fits the meal, suits the people drinking it and contributes to the atmosphere of the celebration.

For something different this Christmas, Amabile di Rosa Sweet Red, Anna Spinato Moscato, Bella Bellina Sweet Red, Chateau Vartely Cabernet Sweet Red, Drevnii Monah Sweet Red, Gala Rosa Rosso Red Wine and Isolabella della Croce Moscato White Wine all deserve consideration.

The biggest advantage of choosing from several styles is that you do not have to make one bottle work for everyone. A couple of carefully selected wines can give your guests options while keeping the Christmas dinner relaxed and enjoyable.

Enjoy Christmas Dinner with the Right Drinks

Christmas is a time for good food, family, friends and memorable moments. Whatever wine you choose, make sure you are buying from a reliable source and that the bottle is authentic.

Right Drinks offers a range of wines and other drinks for celebrations, dinners and festive gatherings, with delivery options available in Lagos and shipping to customers across Nigeria.

Whether you are looking for a sweet red wine for the Christmas table, a Moscato for guests who prefer something lighter or a sparkling wine for the festive toast, choosing the right bottle can make your celebration even more enjoyable.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

1. What is the best wine for Christmas dinner?

There is no single best wine for every Christmas dinner. The right choice depends on the food being served and what your guests enjoy. Sweet red wines, Moscato and other approachable wines can all work well for different Christmas meals.

2. What wine goes well with Nigerian Christmas food?

Sweet red wines can work well with dishes such as jollof rice, grilled chicken, turkey and barbecue. A Moscato or white wine can also be offered for guests who prefer lighter wine styles.

3. Is sweet red wine good for Christmas dinner?

Yes. Sweet red wine can be a practical choice for Christmas dinner, particularly when you are serving a mixed group that includes people who do not regularly drink dry wine.

4. Is Drevnii Monah Sweet Red good for Christmas?

Drevnii Monah Sweet Red can be a suitable option for Christmas celebrations, particularly for guests who enjoy sweet red wine. It can be served alongside several festive foods and is also suitable for relaxed social gatherings.

5. Which Moscato wine can I serve at Christmas?

Anna Spinato Moscato and Isolabella della Croce Moscato White Wine are two options to consider if you want to include Moscato at your Christmas gathering.

6. Can I serve both red and white wine at Christmas dinner?

Absolutely. Serving both gives guests a choice and is particularly useful when you are hosting people with different preferences.

7. Should Christmas wine be sweet or dry?

It depends on the food and your guests. Sweet wines are often approachable for casual gatherings, while dry wines may appeal more to people who already have a preference for traditional wine styles.

8. How many bottles of wine should I buy for Christmas dinner?

It depends on the number of guests, how long the gathering will last and what other drinks you are serving. For a small dinner, a few bottles across different styles may provide enough variety without overbuying.

9. Can wine be served with jollof rice?

Yes. Wine can be served with jollof rice, particularly when the wine complements the seasoning and richness of the dish. An approachable sweet red can be an option for guests who enjoy sweeter wines.

10. Where can I buy wine for Christmas dinner in Nigeria?

You can purchase wine from reputable alcohol retailers that provide authentic products and appropriate delivery options. Right Drinks offers a range of wines and other drinks for customers ordering in Lagos and across Nigeria.