An Italian Inspired Christmas Party: What are we Drinking?! 

Christmas parties can be a time for food to shine, which means it is also a time for wine. If you would like to have an Italian inspired holiday evening, I am here to help.

The holidays are a great time to try new wines, sharing with others and hopefully finding new wines that will take us into the new year. Of course a parties wine list depends on what our menu is. As for my Christmas party this year I selected 6 Italian wines all coming from independent wine growers in Italy (an association called “FIVI”). In this post I aim to give you an idea of an Italian menu with Italian wines for your special evening, to look for something different, and as always praising the diversity of Italian wine. 

What Italian wines was I looking for? When choosing the wines I kept in mind I was looking for 2 Traditional Method sparkling wines, 2 complex whites, and 2 bold reds. 

So, what is on the menu?

Apperitivo: A fresh tomato soup with a cream of Parmesan and a single long rosemary and olive oil toasted crouton, and a spread of 6 cheeses with red currant jam, honey, orange marmalade, and thinly sliced Prosciutto di Parma. 

Wines: A TrentoDOC sparkling wine made from 100% Chardonnay grapes (from the Trentino region), and a traditional method Spumante from Lake Garda (the Veneto region).

Why sparkling? Sparkling wine goes perfectly with salty charcuterie to refresh the palate, but always remember their crisp acidity can go well with almost anything. Pairings aside, there is no better way to start a party or gathering than with a bubble that brings a light hearted escape and sets a fun atmosphere. 

First course: Ricotta and spinach stuffed cannelloni baked in tomato sauce and topped with mozzarella. 

Wine: A 2020 Pecorino (from the Marche region of Italy), and a 2017 Verdicchio del Castelli di Jesi (a white wine made from Verdicchio grapes also coming from the Marche region).

I chose Pecorino because of its high acidity, medium to full body, and interesting complexity. Pecorino was almost extinct until the 1980s and has been making a comeback which I am personally thrilled about. I am currently kind of obsessed with this harder to find lesser known varietal, it is extremely delicious.

A 2017 Verdicchio del Castelli di Jesi complimented the Pecorino with its nice complexity. Embracing its age, this straw coloured white wine can be a cozier choice that’s great in winter; although it has had time in oak barrels, it still provides flavours of lemon citrus and a hint of flint! 

An aged Chardonnay, Riesling, or Gewürztraminer could work well here as well. White wines with a bit of age to them, and a medium to full body bring a coziness and sense of abundance to the first course. 

Main course: Red wine slow cooked cow cheeks with a sweet potato puree, garnished with a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds and scatterings of arugula. 

Wine: 2 reds; a 2015 Marche Rosso – a red blend with a big body and high acidity (from the Marche region – can you tell I am loving the lesser known wines of Marche), and a 2019 Barbera d’Alba (from the Piedmont region) which was a big bold fruit driven style wine providing moderate tannins and high acidity.

Due to the meat and potatoes being on the sweeter side, you are looking for red to showcase the meat, look for wines with a nice acidity to balance the plate. Emphasizing the foods richness is key here! I might also suggest a Syrah, or Brunello di Montalcino.

For dessert I embraced my Canadian tradition of Christmas cookies. A tray of a variety of gingersnaps, peanut better cookies, shortbread, chocolate crinkle cookies and chocolates were served. The reds all flowed nicely into the cookie desserts but you could also top off your dinner with a passito or Vin Santo.

Play around! This was my Italian Christmas party tasting menu, and I am sure yours won’t be the same but I encourage us to keep it interesting (and Italian)! The holidays are a perfect time to play with wine styles and have a little something for everyone special involved. It is a great time to try new wines, you may love them or pass them off for the others. These wines all offered a great showing of Italy and were nice conversation starters. Wine can completely enhance your Christmas party style; start with fun, go on from light to heavier, and really make your food shine.