What is the best wine for Christmas dinner?
The best Christmas wine is a soft, fruity red like La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir (about $25) for ham or turkey, or Louis M. Martini Cabernet (about $20) for prime rib, plus one bottle of bubbly to start.
Christmas dinner is a lot of food on one plate: salty ham, rich roast, sweet sides, cheese boards and cookies. You don't need a different wine for each. Pick one red that goes with almost everything, one white for the people who never drink red, and something sparkling for when people walk in the door.
Reds for the main event
1. La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
about $25Pinot NoirDrink this one
Cherry and a hint of spice, light enough for turkey and ham, with enough depth to feel like a holiday bottle.
Cabernet SauvignonDrink this one
If your family does prime rib or beef tenderloin, you want a Cabernet with some grip. This one tastes like more than $20.
3. Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais-Villages
about $13GamayDrink this one
Bright, juicy and low on tannin (the drying, grippy feeling), so it stays friendly next to cranberry sauce and glazed ham. Serve it slightly cool.
Whites for the non-red crowd
4. Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay
about $15ChardonnayGood buy
Creamy and a touch sweet-tasting, so it handles buttery mashed potatoes, gravy and roast chicken without fuss.
5. Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling
about $10RieslingDrink this one
Crisp and a little apple-y. It is the secret weapon for honey-glazed ham, and the price means you can buy three.
Bubbles and dessert
6. Chandon Brut
about $22Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot MeunierGood buy
California sparkling made the same way as Champagne. Pour it while the roast rests and everyone is hovering in the kitchen.
7. Graham's Six Grapes Reserve Port
about $23Port blend
Sweet, dark and fortified (wine with a little brandy added), so a small pour goes a long way with pie, chocolate or a cheese plate. An open bottle keeps for weeks.
Good to know
- One red, one white, one bubbly
- That covers every guest and every dish. Plan on roughly one bottle for every two adults who drink, and a little extra if dinner runs long.
- Making mulled wine? Use a cheap red
- Heating wine with orange, cinnamon and sugar hides the details, so save the good bottle. A fruity $7 red like Yellow Tail Shiraz is perfect. Keep it warm, never boiling.
- Chill the red for 15 minutes
- A warm, crowded house heats wine up fast. A short spell in the fridge keeps Pinot Noir and Beaujolais tasting fresh instead of soupy.
More lists
- What is a good bottle of wine to give as a gift?
- What is the best champagne for New Year's Eve?
- What's the best wine under $20?
Last checked 2026-10-04. Selection and prices vary by store and state.