Every December I have the same internal debate: should we host a holiday party, or flee the country? (Yes, I hear Italy calling my name again, and I realized I still have to write about that delicious trip!)
Anyway, this year I found a loophole -- we can do both, minus the TSA line, the overhead-bin wrestling match, and the dude next to me in 14C who forgot what soap is.
Enter the Around-the-World Holiday Wine Party! Six countries, six glasses, zero jet lag. Each stop pairs a bottle with how that country actually celebrates the season, plus one easy snack.
Here’s the itinerary (in pouring order):
1. Italy (by way of Jersey): Prosecco or Lambrusco
Italian-Americans ring in Christmas Eve with the Feast of the Seven Fishes, which is less a dinner than an endurance sport. Start with Prosecco and fried calamari. Feeling frisky? Swap in Lambrusco, a fizzy, lovable red from Emilia-Romagna. Serve it chilled with salami and Parm, and look for “secco” on the label unless you want dessert. Nonna would approve.
2. France: Crémant
The French celebrate with Le Réveillon, a late-night Christmas Eve feast of oysters, foie gras (tip: try “faux gras” a French recipe made of tempeh), and a bûche de Noël for dessert. Champagne is lovely, but Crémant is French bubbly made the same way, just in other regions (think Alsace, Burgundy, the Loire), and it often costs under $25. Pair it with oysters if you’re feeling fancy, or Brie or gougères if you’re not. Joyeux Noël!
3. Spain: Cava, plus 12 grapes
On New Year’s Eve, Spaniards eat 12 grapes at midnight, one per chime, for 12 months of luck. It’s harder than it sounds because those chimes go fast. Pour Cava alongside Manchego and Marcona almonds, and hand everyone 12 grapes to try it themselves.
4. Germany: Riesling
German Christmas markets basically run on Glühwein, which is hot mulled wine. (That’s your welcome drink; see the tips below.) For the tasting, pour a Riesling, and remember that “trocken” on the label means dry. Serve with soft pretzels and mustard, obviously.
5. Argentina: Malbec
Christmas falls in summer down there, so the holiday means a backyard soirée. Malbec, mostly from Mendoza, is juicy, plummy,
and built for grilled meat. Serve it with empanadas. Frozen ones count (I won’t tell).
6. Portugal: Port
Portugal celebrates Christmas Eve with Consoada, a family dinner built around salt cod, and finishes the night with Port. Skip the cod (your living room will thank you) and pour a Ruby Port with dark chocolate. Want something richer? Tawny Port tastes like caramel and toasted nuts. Pair it with Bolo Rei, Portugal’s fruit-studded Christmas cake, or pecan pie if that’s what’s on your counter.
TIPS: Host like a well-traveled pro
Start with a welcome mug. Greet guests at the door with Glühwein. Simmer an inexpensive dry red with orange slices, cinnamon, cloves, and a little sugar. Warm it, but never boil it, or you’ll cook off all the fun. Plan on more than one bottle, because mugs go fast.
Pour small. About 2 ounces per taste is right. A standard bottle gives you roughly 12 tasting pours, so for a dozen guests, one bottle per country usually covers it.
Buy a backup of whatever you think will be the crowd favorite.
Mind the order: Bubbles first, then whites, then reds, then sweet.
Get the temperatures right. Chill the sparklers and Riesling well. Give the Malbec 15 to 20 minutes in the fridge, since “room temperature” in a packed holiday living room may get too hot.
Serve the Port just below room temperature.
FUN TOUCH: Hand out passports! Print a little card for each guest with a box per country to stamp and scribble notes. Cute, right?
Bonus round: bag two bottles and make everyone guess the country. The winner takes home a bottle (or both).
Set up a pit stop. Put out water, plain crackers, and a dump bucket. No one is obligated to finish every glass, no matter what Uncle Sal says.
LAST CALL (aka summon the Ubers)!
Six countries in one evening, and nobody lost their luggage. Let’s all raise a glass: Salute! Santé! ¡Salud! Prost! ¡Salud! (yes, twice; Argentina gets one too) Saúde!
Happy Happy Holidays!
