champange

[yvonne]

Hi Everyone,
I have another question,imagine that. I am planning a little party for Chirstmas and New Years, and I was wondering what would be a good wines or wines for a traditional Christmas dinner, and a good champange to ring in the New Year? All help and suggestions are welcome.

[randery]

Hi Yvonne and welcome to the Board. You will, no doubt, get some fabulous sugesstions from the experts and the regulars here. But in the interest of narrowing the field, you may want to tell us your price range and the foods you plan to serve on those holidays. Traditional Christmas dinner may mean different things to different people, e.g. goose, beef, turkey, ham,(lasagna!!).

[This message has been edited by randery (edited 11-01-2003).]

[Innkeeper]

For Christmas, a lot depends on what you are having. Not just whether is is turkey or goose or ham, but what flavors are in the stuffing, what veggies are being served, and very importantly is fruit involved. Cranberry sauce with turkey, or pickled pears with goose, through wine choices into a whole different dimension.
Having said all that, I've had my best best luck with one of those big, jammy pinots that Bucko loves to hate. You could do the same with a zinfandel or syrah.

For New Years, it depends on how much you want to spend. The best values are the Spanish Cavas that are made in the same method as Champagne, at a fraction of the cost. Terminology for bubblies is a little strange. Brut means dry. Extra dry means off dry or slightly sweet. There is additional termnology for even sweeter choices but these are harder to find, and to my palate simply too sweet. We usually go with extra dry.