A Festive Guide To Fortified Wine
The festive season is a time for gathering with loved ones, sharing delicious meals, and creating lasting memories. As you plan your Christmas entertaining, consider adding a touch of elegance and warmth to your festivities with fortified wines. These rich, complex, and versatile wines are perfect for enhancing your festive experience, whether you’re hosting a cosy family dinner, a lively party with friends, or simply enjoying a quiet evening by the fire. Here’s a guide to the best fortified wines for Christmas entertaining and how to make the most of them during Christmas.
Port Wine
A Classic Christmas Companion
Port is the quintessential festive wine, known for its sweetness, depth of flavour, and warming qualities. It’s a versatile choice that can be enjoyed in various ways throughout your Christmas celebrations.
- Ruby Port: With its vibrant colour and fruity flavours of cherries, plums, and berries, it's a festive choice for casual gatherings. Serve it slightly chilled as an aperitif, or pair it with chocolate desserts, cheese, or Christmas pudding for a deliciously indulgent treat.
- Tawny Port: Aged in wooden barrels, tawny port develops a complex character with notes of caramel, nuts, and dried fruits. Its smooth, mellow flavour makes it ideal for sipping after dinner or pairing with a cheese board featuring blue cheese, aged cheddar, or nuts.
- Vintage Port: For a truly special occasion, vintage port is the ultimate choice. This full-bodied, richly flavoured wine is made from the best grapes of a single harvest year and is aged for several decades. Serve it as a luxurious end to your Christmas meal, alongside rich desserts like trifle or with a selection of fine cheeses.
Sherry Wine
A Versatile Festive Delight
Sherry, the fortified wine from Spain’s Jerez region, offers a wide range of styles that can cater to different tastes and occasions during the month of December.
- Fino Sherry: Light, dry, and crisp, a refreshing choice for serving as an aperitif. Its delicate flavours of almonds and olives make it a perfect match for light appetisers like olives, almonds, or seafood canapes.
- Amontillado Sherry: With its nutty, slightly spicy flavour, amontillado sherry is a versatile option for Christmas entertaining. Serve it with roasted nuts, charcuterie, or savoury dishes like roasted turkey or mushroom risotto for a sophisticated pairing.
- Pedro Ximenez (PX) Sherry: For those with a sweet tooth, this sherry is a must-have for Christmas. This intensely sweet and syrupy wine is bursting with flavours of raisins, figs, and molasses, making it a perfect companion for desserts like mince pies, Christmas cake, or even drizzled over vanilla ice cream.
Madeira Wine
A Robust Winter Warmer
Madeira, a fortified wine from the Portuguese island of the same name, is known for its unique ageing process and robust flavour profile. It’s an excellent choice for adding warmth and richness to your Christmas celebrations.
- Malmsey Madeira: The sweetest style of madeira, rich and full-bodied, with flavours of toffee, caramel, and dried fruits. It’s perfect for enjoying with desserts like fruitcake, gingerbread, or dark chocolate truffles.
- Bual Madeira: Offering a balance of sweetness and acidity. Enjoy flavours of roasted nuts, caramel, and citrus. It’s a versatile wine that can be enjoyed with both sweet and savoury dishes, making it a great choice for pairing with cheese, roasted meats, or pastries.
Marsala Wine
Sophistication For The Seasons Celebrations
Marsala, a fortified wine from Sicily, brings a touch of Mediterranean flair to your Christmas entertaining. It’s available in both dry and sweet styles, each offering something unique.
- Sweet Marsala: With its rich, velvety texture and flavours of dried fruits, vanilla, and spice, sweet marsala is a delightful choice for after-dinner sipping. It pairs wonderfully with desserts like tiramisu, biscotti, or panettone, adding a touch of Italian sophistication to your holiday spread.
- Dry Marsala: Dry marsala has a more savoury profile, with nutty, caramelised flavours and a hint of salinity. It’s a great choice for pairing with cheese, charcuterie, or using in classic dishes like chicken marsala, adding depth and flavour to your festive meals.
Vermouth
Festive And Flavourful Cocktails
Vermouth, a fortified wine infused with botanicals, is a versatile option for Christmas entertaining, particularly if you’re planning to serve cocktails.
- Sweet Vermouth: Rich and aromatic, and a key ingredient in classic cocktails like the Manhattan and Negroni. It’s also delicious on its own, served over ice with a twist of orange peel. Use it to create festive cocktails that will impress your guests and add a touch of elegance to your yuletide gatherings.
- Dry Vermouth: Crisp and herbal, another essential for your festive bar. Use it to make martinis or as a base for festive aperitifs. Its light, refreshing character makes it a perfect way to start your Christmas celebrations.
How To Serve Fortified Wines For Christmas Entertaining
- Temperature: Serve fortified wines at the appropriate temperature to enhance their flavours. Fino sherry and white port are best served chilled, while tawny port (our guide to serving port at the right temperature), madeira, and sweet vermouth are usually enjoyed at room temperature. Vintage port can be slightly cooler, but not too cold
- Glassware: Use the right glassware to bring out the best in your fortified wines. A small wine glass or a tulip shaped glass is ideal for most styles, as it concentrates the aromas and allows for slow sipping
- Pairings: Fortified wines are incredibly food friendly, so think about how they can complement your Christmas menu. Pair sweeter style wine with desserts, while drier options work well with savoury dishes or as aperitifs.