Toronto Star

FINDING THE PERFECT MATCH FROM FORK TO GLASS

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More wine is bought to sip during Christmas dinner than on any other day. Sadly, for many of you it may be the only time you buy wine this year, which means picking a liquid partner to serve with your chosen main course just might take all the Ho! Ho! Ho! out of your holidays. To make your wine-buying merry, Peter Rockwell has a foolproof guide to pairing the best bottles with your festive feasts.

Duck/Goose

Though maybe a bit too 19th century for some, these alternativ­e poultry options need a red wine that can compete with their not-so-subtle nuances. Either a Spanish Rioja or an American Zinfandel will meet them head-on.

Ham

You don’t want to pour anything too weighty when it comes to ham, especially if you’ve gone with a heavy glaze. A delicate Pinot Grigio works , as would a sweeter Moscato. On the red side, Pinot Noir is a ham’s best friend.

Kim Crawford 2014 South Island Pinot Noir (New Zealand, $19.95

$23.99): Made from grapes sourced from across the South Island, this is a plump, full-figured Pinot highlighte­d by raspberry and cranberry.

Turkey

While the big bird may be the star of most Canadian Christmase­s, it has less of an influence on your wine choice than you might think. Never arriving to the table alone, you have to take into considerat­ion all the eclectic flavours found in the side dishes.

Look for wines with fresh acidity and vibrant fruit that aren’t too dry or woody (thanks to excessive oak aging). Reach for reds made with Gamay, Pinot Noir and Grenache, and whites with an off-dry appeal such as Riesling, spicy Gewurztram­iner or a drier (but balanced) New World Chardonnay.

Roast Beef

For all you red-meat lovers, Shiraz, Malbec and a French Bordeaux, with a Merlot focus, are prime wines for roast beef.

 ??  ?? Les Dauphins 2013 Côtes du Rhône Réserve (France, $12.95–
$14.99): Juicy Grenache leads this relaxed mix of blackberry and cherry that comes wrapped in a great retro package.
Les Dauphins 2013 Côtes du Rhône Réserve (France, $12.95– $14.99): Juicy Grenache leads this relaxed mix of blackberry and cherry that comes wrapped in a great retro package.
 ??  ?? Oyster Bay 2014 Marlboroug­h Chardonnay (New Zealand, $18.95–$21.99): A near-perfect balance of oak and ripe apple fruit with fresh, citrusy acidity.
Oyster Bay 2014 Marlboroug­h Chardonnay (New Zealand, $18.95–$21.99): A near-perfect balance of oak and ripe apple fruit with fresh, citrusy acidity.
 ??  ?? Baden 2012 Gewurztram­iner (Germany, $11.95– $13.49): Lightly sweet with a subtle spiciness that tastes made for anything herbaceous, tangy or peppery.
Baden 2012 Gewurztram­iner (Germany, $11.95– $13.49): Lightly sweet with a subtle spiciness that tastes made for anything herbaceous, tangy or peppery.
 ??  ?? Montecillo 2013 Crianza Rioja (Spain, $14.95
$19.99): A modern Rioja with cherry, cedar, blackberry and earthy tannins that ends with a hint of wood spice.
Montecillo 2013 Crianza Rioja (Spain, $14.95 $19.99): A modern Rioja with cherry, cedar, blackberry and earthy tannins that ends with a hint of wood spice.
 ??  ?? Cline Family Cellars 2013 Lodi Zinfandel (California, $16.40
$18.80): A creamy Zin with a meaty flow of strawberry, black cherry and vanilla oak.
Cline Family Cellars 2013 Lodi Zinfandel (California, $16.40 $18.80): A creamy Zin with a meaty flow of strawberry, black cherry and vanilla oak.
 ??  ?? Georges Duboeuf 2013 Beaujolais-Villages (France, $13.95–
$16.99): A great Gamay with ripe, lip-smacking strawberry fruit flavour. Try it chilled.
Georges Duboeuf 2013 Beaujolais-Villages (France, $13.95– $16.99): A great Gamay with ripe, lip-smacking strawberry fruit flavour. Try it chilled.
 ??  ?? Trapiche 2014 Broquel Malbec (Argentina, $14.95
$16.99): Nicely spiced with layers of dark blackberry, blackcurra­nt and chocolate massaged by chewy tannins.
Trapiche 2014 Broquel Malbec (Argentina, $14.95 $16.99): Nicely spiced with layers of dark blackberry, blackcurra­nt and chocolate massaged by chewy tannins.
 ??  ?? Ruffino 2014 Lumina Pinot Grigio IGT (Italy, $13.45
$14.99): A clean, lean white with a zippy profile of citrus and pear along with a light minerality.
Ruffino 2014 Lumina Pinot Grigio IGT (Italy, $13.45 $14.99): A clean, lean white with a zippy profile of citrus and pear along with a light minerality.
 ??  ?? Firesteed 2013 Pinot Gris (Oregon, $17.60-$22.99): Richer and fuller than its Pinot Grigio cousins, offering deep apple fruit with a touch of juicy melon.
Firesteed 2013 Pinot Gris (Oregon, $17.60-$22.99): Richer and fuller than its Pinot Grigio cousins, offering deep apple fruit with a touch of juicy melon.
 ??  ?? Château Puyfromage 2013 Côtes de Bordeaux (France, $14.85-$21.99): Being made from 68-per-cent Merlot makes this a fleshy, easy-drinking Bordeaux infused with raspberry and blackberry fruit.
Château Puyfromage 2013 Côtes de Bordeaux (France, $14.85-$21.99): Being made from 68-per-cent Merlot makes this a fleshy, easy-drinking Bordeaux infused with raspberry and blackberry fruit.
 ??  ?? Wakefield 2013 Shiraz (Australia, $17.95–
$17.99): An old-school Aussie Shiraz with loads of black fruit and anise spice.
Wakefield 2013 Shiraz (Australia, $17.95– $17.99): An old-school Aussie Shiraz with loads of black fruit and anise spice.
 ??  ??

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