Milk & cookies aren’t the only OPTIONS…
Ah, Christmas cookies and wine! What a delightful way to celebrate the season. But fear not, finding the Christmas cookie wine pairing doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Here are some tips to guide you with your holiday pairing this season.
General Principles for Christmas Cookie Wine Pairings
Balance Sweetness: Generally, your wine should be sweeter than the cookie to avoid the wine tasting harsh.
Consider Texture: Lighter, crumbly cookies call for lighter wines like Riesling or Pinot Grigio, while dense, chewy cookies like gingerbread can handle bolder options like Zinfandel.
Think About Flavors: Match the main flavor profiles of the cookie with the wine. Fruity cookies pair well with fruit-forward wines, for spicy cookies pair with wines that have a bit of spice, and chocolate cookies with richer wines like Port or fortified Marsala.
Specific Christmas Cookie Wine Pairings
Sugar Cookies + Riesling
A sweet Riesling with high acidity also works nicely as it cuts through the sugar.
Butter Cookies + Chardonnay
I love butter so Chardonnay is a winner as it brings out more of the butter in your cookie.
Gingerbread + So Many Options
Riesling again works well, or try a Gewürztraminer with similar spicy notes. However, if you want to opt for a red, Zinfandel would work too.
Peppermint Bark + Zin
Zinfandel with its fruitiness and hint of pepper complements the chocolate and peppermint perfectly.
Shortbread + Chardonnay
Chardonnay’s buttery and nutty notes go beautifully with the buttery richness of shortbread.
Chocolate Chip Cookies + Go RED
For milk chocolate chip cookies, go red. Try a sweeter Pinot Noir or Beaujolais Nouveau. For dark chocolate, go for a bold Cabernet Sauvignon or Port.
Don’t be afraid to experiment! Sometimes, the most unexpected combinations work best. Remember to relax and have fun! Christmas is a time for enjoyment, so don’t stress about getting the perfect pairing. Just enjoy the cookies and the wine.
Elaine Schoch is an award-winning travel writer, wine judge, American Wine Specialist and certified by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET II). At Carpe Travel she shares wine travel destination guides for ALL WINE LOVERS – from novices to experienced pros – to help them plan their wine adventures, arming them with insider tips, must-visit spots, and things to see and do beyond the vines.