Phylicia StitzelThe holiday season is upon us, and what better way to embrace the spirit of Christmas than with of two of life’s greatest pleasures: Christmas cookies and wine pairing? As the oven hums and fills your home with the warm, spiced aromas of freshly baked cookies, consider elevating your treat game with wines that perfectly complement each dessert.
Living in Washington, there are endless opportunities for wine! Washington wine is a truly special choice for Christmas cookie and wine pairings, offering a remarkable variety of flavors that complement the festive sweetness of holiday treats. Known for its unique terroir, Washington produces wines with balanced acidity, vibrant fruit profiles, and nuanced complexity, making them ideal for pairing with a range of cookies.
From a lush, fruit-forward Merlot that enhances the buttery richness of Spitzbuben cookies to a crisp Riesling that elevates the delicate sweetness of sugar cookies, Washington wines bring an exceptional touch of elegance to your holiday table. Their versatility and quality provide the perfect opportunity to celebrate the season with locally crafted excellence, adding a touch of sophistication to your holiday gatherings.
Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, cozying up by the fire, or looking for a new tradition to share with loved ones, these Christmas cookie and wine pairings are sure to impress. Let’s dive into some festive combinations that will make your holiday season extra special.
Pét-Nat Sparkling Rosé and Gingerbread Cookies
For this pairing, I picked Two Mountain Winery, 2023 Pet Nat Sparkling Rosé
Why It Works: Gingerbread cookies, with their bold spices of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, need a wine that’s equally vibrant yet refreshing. Enter the Pétillant Naturel (Pét-Nat) Sparkling Rosé. This naturally sparkling wine offers a crisp acidity and notes of wild strawberries, rhubarb, and a hint of herbs, making it the perfect match for the warm spice and molasses richness of gingerbread cookies.
Serving Tip: Serve the Pét-Nat well-chilled in flutes or coupe glasses for a festive sparkle. This pairing works beautifully as a welcome treat for guests arriving at your holiday gathering.
Riesling and Sugar Cookies
Next on the list for the Christmas cookie and wine pairing is
Goose Ridge Vineyards, 2022 Riesling
Why It Works: The simplicity of sugar cookies provides a blank canvas for pairing with a wine that can enhance their buttery sweetness. A semi-sweet Riesling, with its bright acidity and flavors of green apple, peach, and honey, complements the delicate sweetness and buttery texture of the cookies without overpowering them.
Serving Tip: For a fun twist, decorate your sugar cookies with royal icing in holiday shapes, and let your guests create their own cookie and wine pairing experience. A Riesling from Germany’s Mosel region is particularly delightful.
Chardonnay and Lemon Cookies
One of my favorite pairings, Three Rivers, 2022 Chardonnay and Italian Lemon Sandwich cookies.
Why It Works: Lemon cookies, with their zesty citrus flavor and light, crumbly texture, call for a wine that mirrors their brightness while adding depth. An oaked Chardonnay, with notes of lemon curd, vanilla, and toasted almonds, pairs seamlessly. The creamy mouthfeel of the wine balances the tangy citrus notes of the cookies, creating a harmonious flavor combination.
Serving Tip: Choose a Chardonnay from California’s Sonoma County for its rich, buttery characteristics or a Chablis for a leaner, more mineral-driven profile. Serve slightly chilled for the best experience.
Pinot Noir Rosé and Peanut Butter Cookies
Now a pairing that even makes my husband (who isn’t the biggest wine enthusiest) happy – Palencia 2023 Rosélia
Why It Works: Peanut butter cookies are a nostalgic classic, loved for their salty-sweet richness. Pair them with a dry Pinot Noir Rosé, which has just the right amount of red fruit brightness to cut through the density of the peanut butter. Notes of strawberries, cherries, and a subtle hint of earthiness make this a surprising but delightful pairing.
Serving Tip: Opt for a Pinot Noir Rosé from Oregon or France’s Burgundy region. Serve slightly chilled and pair with warm, freshly baked peanut butter cookies for a cozy holiday treat.
Red Blend and Zebra Cookies
Now, my family favorite christmas cookie and wine pairing – Zebra Chocolate cookies and City Limits, 2022 Detour Red Blend
Why It Works: Zebra cookies—those marbled delights that combine chocolate and vanilla dough—are as visually striking as they are delicious. To complement their rich, chocolaty flavor, choose a robust red blend. A blend that includes Syrah, Grenache, or Zinfandel works wonderfully, with its dark berry notes, hint of spice, and velvety texture.
Serving Tip: Warm the cookies slightly before serving to enhance the chocolate aroma. Pour the red blend into wide-bowled glasses to let the wine’s complex aromas shine.
Merlot and Spitzbuben (Linzer) Cookies
Last and certainly not least Airfield, 2021 Merlot
Why It Works: This Christmas cookie and wine pairing is the top! Spitzbuben cookies, also known as Linzer cookies, are a holiday favorite with their buttery almond base and sweet, tangy jam filling. A Merlot, with its smooth tannins and flavors of ripe plum, black cherry, and hints of cocoa, is a natural match. The wine’s fruit-forward profile highlights the jam’s sweetness while its velvety texture complements the cookie’s crumbly richness.
Serving Tip: Use raspberry or apricot jam for your Spitzbuben cookies to create a pairing that plays off Merlot’s fruity notes. A Washington State Merlot is an excellent choice for this pairing.
Tips for Hosting a Christmas Cookie and Wine Pairing Party
- Set the Scene: Create a festive atmosphere with holiday décor, twinkling lights, and seasonal music. Use decorative plates and wine glasses to elevate the experience.
- Offer Small Portions: Serve bite-sized cookies and pour small tasting portions of each wine to encourage guests to try all the pairings.
- Provide Tasting Notes: Print out cards with a brief description of each wine and its pairing to guide your guests through the tasting.
- Incorporate Savory Options: Balance the sweetness with a cheese board or charcuterie spread to cleanse the palate between pairings.
- Encourage Interaction: Have guests vote on their favorite pairing or share their own pairing suggestions to make the event more engaging.
Final Thoughts
Christmas cookie and wine pairings are a delightful way to celebrate the holidays and bring people together. The interplay of flavors—from the spiced warmth of gingerbread to the creamy tang of lemon cookies—paired with thoughtfully chosen wines adds a layer of sophistication to traditional holiday treats. Whether you’re hosting a party or enjoying a quiet evening at home, these pairings are sure to bring joy to your holiday season. Cheers to a festive, flavorful Christmas!
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