Wines for Christmas: the best options to share
13 Nov 2025 / Food and Wine Pairing
Christmas is synonymous with sharing, generous menus and long tables where generations come together to exchange stories, laughter and tradition. And if there is something that cannot be missing from this atmosphere, it is a good wine.
More than a simple accompaniment, wine links flavours and moments, enhancing the richness of each dish, encouraging conversation and turning every toast into a gesture of celebration.
We know that choosing the best wines for Christmas requires some expertise, but don’t worry: we’ve gathered a selection of suggestions to make your festive dinner even more memorable.
Christmas dinner wines: what should you consider?
When selecting wines for Christmas, it’s important to think about the variety of flavours on the table. From boiled cod to polvo à lagareiro, from roasted meats to desserts, each dish has its own characteristics and deserves thoughtful pairings.
So, consider the type of dish you will be serving:
● lighter, fresher wines pair best with fish dishes such as cod or octopus;
● roasted meats call for fuller-bodied wines that can match their richness and intensity;
● desserts pair beautifully with a fortified wine to end the meal in style. Ultimately, it’s about finding the right balance: the wine should elevate the food, support the conversation with moderation and turn every sip into a celebration everyone will remember.
How to choose the best wine for Christmas
When choosing the wines that will make your Christmas shine, keep these key points in mind:
● match the wine’s intensity to the menu — richer dishes require fuller-bodied wines, while delicate dishes pair better with light, fresh wines that enhance without overpowering;
● prioritise freshness — wines with good acidity cleanse the palate between bites, making the meal feel lighter, especially during a Christmas feast full of intense flavours;
● choose versatile wines — if you don’t want a large variety of bottles, pick wines that pair well with different kinds of dishes;
● add a festive touch — having a sparkling wine on hand always brings a special moment to any celebration.
Pair your Christmas with the Aveleda Parcelas range
Now that you know the core characteristics of a good Christmas wine, we couldn’t help but recommend a few Aveleda examples renowned for their versatility.
Produced from carefully selected vineyards, our Parcelas range preserves the freshness and character of each grape variety, making it an easy-to-pair option for fish, seafood and meat. Each bottle enhances the flavours on the table without complication, making the different moments of the meal more harmonious and enjoyable.
What makes this range special?
The philosophy behind the Parcelas range is simple: respect the land and respect time. Each vineyard is treated as a living work of art, where microclimate, soil and grape variety come together to create wines with a unique identity.
The result? An authentic sensory experience that reflects the very best of Vinho Verde and the nature that inspires it.
The wines in this range stand out for their freshness and structure. Their acidity, combined with mineral and fruity notes, creates a perfect harmony to accompany the most iconic Christmas dishes.
Aveleda Parcela do Roseiral – Alvarinho
Aveleda Parcela do Roseiral, a 100% Alvarinho wine, offers freshness, structure and subtle notes of oak. Its acidity, combined with the complexity gained through partial barrel ageing, makes it highly versatile.
It is the ideal wine to accompany:
● boiled cod — the richness of olive oil and the salty character of the cod find perfect balance in the wine’s vibrant acidity and citrus notes;
● polvo à lagareiro — its mineral and fruity profile pairs beautifully with the flavour of the octopus and the light smoky touch of the grill or oven;
● desserts such as rabanadas and sonhos — with hints of vanilla and honeysuckle, this wine balances the sweetness of traditional desserts without making them overly heavy.
Aveleda Parcela do Convento – Loureiro
Aveleda Parcela do Convento, a 100% Loureiro wine, is expressive and vibrant, marked by freshness, minerality and intense citrus aromas. With balanced acidity and a long, textured finish, it is a safe choice for those looking for a smooth, elegant wine for Christmas.
It pairs especially well with:
● seafood and cold salads — its notes of grapefruit and lime highlight the freshness of prawns, clams or octopus salads;
● roupa-velha — the lively acidity contrasts with the richness of the olive oil and enhances the traditional flavours of this festive dish;
● roast or stuffed turkey — the fruit-forward, fresh profile complements the tenderness of the turkey.
Aveleda Sparkling Brut: a touch of elegance
No celebration is complete without a good sparkling wine. And Aveleda Sparkling Brut plays exactly that role: elegant, fresh and versatile, it brings lightness and energy to the table, becoming the perfect finishing touch to any Christmas dinner.
The elegance of Espumante Bruto
Produced using the traditional method, Aveleda Espumante Bruto is a symbol of refinement and subtlety. Its fine, persistent bubbles are an invitation to celebrate.
The dry yet delicate profile makes it ideal for starting or ending the meal.
It pairs particularly well with:
● soft cheeses — the balanced acidity and freshness cut through the fat while enhancing the flavours;
● fish and seafood — its mineral notes and fine bubbles highlight the delicate flavours of cod or prawns, keeping the meal fresh and balanced;
● desserts — perfect with sonhos, filhoses or bolo-rei, adding a refreshing contrast to their sweetness.
Aveleda wines: perfect to toast and to gift
These suggestions are not only ideal for your Christmas dinner — they also make wonderful Christmas gifts.
So, if you are looking for the best wines to offer this Christmas, the Aveleda Parcelas range and Aveleda Espumante Bruto are excellent choices.
Remember: every bottle of Aveleda is an invitation to celebrate the authenticity of a Portuguese Christmas.
Written by Aveleda