Having the best wines for Christmas can elevate festive dishes and bring on more cheer this holiday season. Whether your enjoying dinner with your significant other or having a large family gathering, we have got you covered.
Business Today spoke to two seasoned sommeliers, well-known in Malaysia’s wine scene, Jessica Chong and Mandy Chin, to guide you in your wine selections for your favourite festive dishes
Chong, who is also the owner of Tasting Lab in Johor Bahru, has more 20 years experience as chef sommelier and wine consultant for various companies including in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Oman while Chin, who is the wine director of Gallo Wine Bar in Kuala Lumpur, has more than 10 years experience as a sommelier.
While there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to wine pairings, we hope that their recommendations could help make buying your Christmas bottles easier.
1.Bodega Roqueta Abadal Mandó, Pla de Bages – Spain
Pairs well with Classic Turkey Roast (Estimated Retail Price: RM218 per bottle).
Chong recommended Bodega Roqueta’s Abadal Mandó, which is from Pla de Bages DO (Designation of Origin), located in Catalonia in northeastern Spain.
As the classic Christmas turkey roast comes with potatoes, root vegetables, gravy and cranberry sauce, Chong said this medium-bodied Spanish red wine will bode well with the feast.
“Harvested from over 50 years old vines, the variety is native to Pla de Bages – known as Mando. This is a juicy, ruby-coloured wine with red cherry aromas.
“The lively acidic finish of the wine is a key element in this pairing. The acidity also plays well with the cranberry sauce, enhancing the overall balance of sweet and savoury notes in each bite.
“It encompasses an area within the Bages region, known for its vineyards and winemaking tradition. The Pla de Bages DO is recognized for producing wines with unique characteristics that reflect the terroir (complete natural environment in which a particular wine is produced) and grape varieties of the area,” she said.
2. Chateau Burgozone Esperanto, Danube River – Bulgaria
Pairs well with Slow-roasted Lamb Shoulder Rack (Estimated Retail Price: RM178 per bottle).
Chong said Chateau Burgozone’s Esperanto is a a blend of Gamza (native grape), which is the main black grape from Bulgaria. It is fruity yet with a strong backbone.
“The Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah blend has notes of dark fruits, baking spices and dark cocoa and is lightly oak in French barrels for 6 to 8 months.
“The oak influence contributed to toasty notes, enhancing the overall flavour profile and potentially complementing the richness of the lamb.
“The robust structure of the red wine are likely to stand up well to the bold flavours of the slow-roasted lamb, while the fruity and spice elements harmonised with the spices in the preparation,” she added.
3. M Chapoutier Cornas – Rhone France
Pair well with Crispy Pork Knuckle (Estimated Retail Price: Around RM300 per bottle).
Chin recommended M Chapoutier Cornas from Rhone, France, a full-bodied wine to pair with rich dishes. This 100% Shiraz can be paired not only with roast meats such as turkey, beef and lamb, it is also an excellent match with crispy pork knuckle.
“Pork knuckle is a white meat but it to on the rich side due to the way it was cooked. Rich dish goes well with this red wine,” she said.
4. Von Sibenthal Parcela #7 – Aconcagua, Chile
Pair well with Roast Beef (Estimated Retail Price: RM235 per bottle).
Chin recommended Von Sinbenthal Parcela #7, which is a ‘new world wine’. This red wine is a blend of a few grape varietals namely, Cabernet Savignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
Hailed from Aconcagua, Chile, it has notes of dark ripe fruit such as blackcurrant and raspberry palette with tight tannins. It also has good persistent in the mouth.
“I choose something richer, such as this Chilean Bordeaux Blend, to pair with roast beef,” she said.
5. Cono Sure Single Vinyard Pinot Noir No.21 – San Antonio, Chile
Pair well with Roast Christmas Goose (Estimated Retail Price: Around RM200 per bottle).
Chin recommended Cono Sure Single Vinyard Pinot Noir No.21 from San Antonio, Chile to pair with Roast Christmas Goose.
“Although it is roast, it is goose, which goes well with a lighter red wine such as a pinot noir,” she explained.
Roast goose has a rich, succulent and flavourful taste. The poultry is often described as being similar to roast duck but with a slightly stronger and more robust flavor.
Chin said Chile has a weather similar to the Mediterranean region which has very little rain, and is mostly dry and warm. However, San Antonio Valley is near to the Pacific Ocean, making it more cool and temperamental.
“Since it is cooler, it is very suitable to grow grapes. Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc is popular for this region. However, I don’t recommend Sauvignon Blanc (white wine) because it’s still roast. Go for a red but a lighter red,” said the winner of Cepas de Chile Champion in Malaysia Best Wine Sommelier 2021.
“The way a meat is cooked also influences wine pairing. For roast meat, red wine is the most suitable,” she added.
6. Bisol Belstar Prosecco NV – Italy
Pairs well with Raw Fresh Oyster (Estimated Retail Price: RM205 per bottle)
Chong, who has been an active wine consultant and educator in Southern of Peninsular Malaysia, especially Johor Baru, said that the combination of Prosecco and oysters are always a perfect pairing.
“The freshness from the bubbles and the citrusy notes of the Prosecco greatly enhances the minerality of freshly shucked oysters.
“To further enhance the pairing, serving it with some some fresh herbs like chives or parsley into the dish can contribute to the overall freshness too,” she said, adding high acidity wine would also be a great pair with sea food.
7. Bellavista Alma Gran Cuvee DOCG – Franciacorta, Italy
Pairs well with Raw Oysters (Estimated Retail Price: Upwards of RM300 per bottle)
“Generally, the pairing for oysters for me is Bella Vista Alma. These are bubbles, which is sparkling wine. Franciacorta is also a specific bubble region in Italy.
“When you think about Italian bubbles, usually you think about Prosecco, which is made from Glera grapes. Prosecco or bubbles from Franciacorta are Italian-equivalent to Champagne, a bubble made in Champagne, France.
“Nevertheless, Champagne is a bit more complicated as it is made using elaborate traditional methods similar to bubbles made in Franciacorta,” she said.
“(The latter) tastes very similar to champagne because they are using the same style. I personally have tried Bella Vista, which is very good. The only downside is that it’s not cheap and more high-end,” she added.
Chin, who also runs restaurant and bar, explained that although Raw Oysters and Lobster Thermidor are both seafoods, the latter is laden with cheese and cream.
“Bubbles pair well with fresh oysters because it helps you harmonize your palette from the ‘sea’ taste. It’s certainly good for it,” she added.
Other pairings recommendation are Telmont Reserve Brut NV, Champage and if you are looking for non-wine pairing for oysters, Chin recommended Guiness draft (for beer lovers out there!).
Chin added Telmont, a brand that are sustainability-focused, partners with Oscar Award winning actor Leonardo Dicaprio, who is also environmentally-conscious.
“Dicaprio choose Telmont because the brand emphasized on reducing carbon footprint and other sustainable practices in its operation.”
8. Sherrah ‘Petillant Naturel’ Fiano & Chenin Blanc, Mc Laren Vale – Australia
Pairs well with Lobster Thermidor (Estimated Retail Price: RM258 per bottle)
Chong said Lobster Thermidor is a classic French dish. With creamy flavours of the dish, the bright, citrusy notes of the white wine can create a harmonious balance on the palate.
“To pair this luxurious dish, we would recommend a high acidity yet refreshing white wine from South Australia.
“Made naturally with slight fizziness during winemaking, this white wine’s citrusy notes of lemon zest, fresh lime and green apple would provide a cleansing effect and preventing the palate from feeling overwhelmed,” she said.
On the other hand, Chin recommends Chardonnay, such as TH Chardonnay from Limari, Chile and 1847 High Patch Chardonnay from Barossa, Australia.
She said Chardonnay goes through malolactic fermentation, which is a process the wine undergoes to convert malic acid into lactic acid. This significantly impact the aroma and flavor of Chardonnay wines.
“Due the conversion, Chardonnay gives a creamy mouth curling, sort of a mouthful feeling. This goes with the creamy Lobster Termidor.
“Chardonnay is very versatile and its profile depends on where it grows, which can results in different tastes and ‘feelings’. It is also a bit lean in general.”
9. Lustau Oloroso Emperatriz Eugenia – Spain
Pairs well with Christmas Fruit Cake (Estimated Retail Price: RM225 per bottle)
Certified as sommelier from Court of Master Sommelier, United Kingdom – Malaysia Chapter in 2011, Chong said she personally loved to pair a well-made fruit cake infused in generous baking spices and brandy with a nice glass of Oloroso sherry.
“This Oloroso is dark amber in colour due to its long ageing period in casks. It is full flavoured, well-rounded and full bodied.
“The pairing of the cake (baking spices, brandy, and dried fruits) with Oloroso greatly harmonises the flavours and creating symphony of tastes in our palate,” Chong elaborated.
10. Lillet Blanc – Bordeaux, France
Pairs well with Christmas Pudding or Chocolate Cake (Estimated Retail Price: RM148 per bottle)
Chin said Lillet Blanc, is a classic French apéritif, which is very distinct and can go with any desserts, including chocolate cake.
It is a blend of Bordeaux wine, macerated liqueurs (mostly citrus) and quinine which bring a delicious bitterness, made with Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon and shows aromas of candied oranges, honey, pine resin and exotic fruits.
“So, you may have it by itself or you can dilute it in sparkling water to make it less rich. Besides that, you can make your own cocktails, adding herbs like rosemary, or different types of fruits such as strawberry, cranberry and grapefruit.
“This will enhance the flavour and make it a bit more complex. It can also be served chilled. However, we don’t usually drink wine with ice,” she said.
Other wine pairing with desserts are Saracco d’Asti Moscato from Piedmont, Italy and Sybille Kuntz Spatlese, Mosel Riesling from Germany.
“Personally, I think Saracco d’Asti Moscato is one of the best Moscato as it is very affordable and priced at less than RM200. So that’s why I recommended this.
“This white wine is very balanced. When you eat dessert, you don’t just eat sweet thing. Since this has a very good balance, you can enjoy it the whole night. Additionally, Moscato has lower alcohol content, below 10 per cent.
“Riesling is another good white wine from Germany. It can be very acidic. Generally, in Germany, they ranked wines based on the sweetness. So the sweeter, the more pricey it is.
However, Cabernet doesn’t go well with dessert as it is very dry, Chin added.
