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Holiday Wine Pairings: Matching Your Cooking with The Best Wines

Expert Guide From JUSTIN’s Executive Chef and Winemaker

November 12, 2025

The right wine transforms every course of your holiday meal. At JUSTIN, we’ve spent decades perfecting wines for special occasions – and now we’re sharing the exact pairings that work from your first appetizer to the final bite of dessert. 


Forget complicated rules. This guide walks you through each course with simple, proven matches that make sense. Whether you’re hosting your first holiday dinner or you’re the family’s wine expert, you’ll find help pairing every dish on your table. 


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The Philosophy: People-First Pairing

Creating memorable holiday meals starts with understanding your guests’ preferences and choosing dishes that bring joy without keeping you away from the celebration. At The Restaurant at JUSTIN, our approach balances exceptional food and wine with being present for the moments that matter. 

“We always start with the people we’re bringing together – what dishes they like and what makes them smile.”

Rachel Haggstrom, Executive Chef & Scott Shirley, Winemaker

Wine Pairing Basics: Simple Rules for Holiday Success

Before diving into specific pairings, remember these three simple rules: 

  • Weight matching: Light dishes need light wines. Heavy dishes need full-bodied wines. It’s that straightforward. 
  • Method matters: How you cook changes what you pour. Roasted and grilled foods develop caramelized flavors that pair beautifully with oak-aged wines like JUSTIN Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon. Fresh, raw dishes need crisp wines like JUSTIN Reserve Sauvignon Blanc. 
  • Temperature counts: Serve whites at 45–55°F and reds at 60–65°F. Too cold mutes flavors; too warm emphasizes alcohol. Keep whites in ice buckets during dinner. The safety net: When in doubt, pour JUSTIN JUSTIFICATION. This versatile red blend works with nearly everything on the holiday table.

Best Wine Pairings for Holiday Appetizers & Starters

Holiday Cheese Boards

Create the perfect cheese board with strategic JUSTIN pairings: 

Charcuterie & Cured Meats

JUSTIN Russian River Valley Pinot Noir at 65°F handles prosciutto, salami, and pâtés brilliantly. The wine’s tannins cut through richness while dark fruit flavors enhance savory, salty notes.

Winter Salads

A well-crafted salad provides a bright beginning. JUSTIN Viognier shines with winter salads featuring seasonal fruits – think butter lettuce with blue cheese, crisp apples, and toasted walnuts in white wine vinaigrette. The wine’s stone fruit notes and floral aromatics complement both fresh and rich elements beautifully. 


Pro Tip: Serve Viognier at 50°F for optimal aromatics.

Seafood Starters

JUSTIN Reserve Sauvignon Blanc brightens shrimp cocktail, smoked salmon, and oysters with citrus notes that enhance without masking delicate flavors. Serve at 45°F for raw preparations. 

Soup Course

Earthy mushroom bisque or French onion soup pairs beautifully with JUSTIN Russian River Valley Chardonnay. The wine’s silky texture and bright acidity complement soup’s umami depth. 

Vegetable Platters & Dips

JUSTIN Reserve Rosé provides refreshing contrast to creamy dips and crudités, keeping palates fresh for the main course. 

Best Wine Pairings for Traditional Holiday Main Courses

The centerpiece deserves careful consideration. Here’s what works with traditional and modern mains.

 

Prime Rib & Roast Beef 

JUSTIN Cabernet Sauvignon remains the gold standard with its structured tannins matching meat’s richness. For special occasions, upgrade to JUSTIN ISOSCELES for additional complexity. 


Turkey Two Ways 

65°F harmonize with candied yams and glazed preparations 

  • With Herbs: JUSTIN JUSTIFICATION at 60–65°F offers versatility – substantial for dark meat, delicate for white 


Glazed Ham 

JUSTIN SAVANT or Zinfandel offers ripe fruit that harmonizes with honey or brown sugar glazes.  


Lamb & Game 

JUSTIN Syrah brings necessary complexity. The Bordeaux-style blend provides structure while herbal notes complement rosemary and garlic preparations. 

Breaking Tradition: Shellfish Feast

Winter marks peak season for Dungeness crab and spiny lobster. This coastal-inspired alternative pairs brilliantly with JUSTIN Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, whose crisp minerality enhances seafood’s natural sweetness. Serve well-chilled at 45°F. 

Wine Pairings for Vegetarian & Plant-Based Holiday Mains

Modern holiday tables deserve equally thoughtful vegetarian pairings. 


Mushroom Wellington – JUSTIN Tempranillo’s soft tannins match mushroom’s umami richness perfectly. The wine complements earthy flavors while its fruit provides pleasant contrast to the savory pastry. 


Stuffed Squash – JUSTIN Reserve Russian River Valley Chardonnay matches the natural sweetness of butternut or acorn squash. When stuffed with grains, nuts, and dried fruits, the wine’s complexity handles multiple flavors beautifully. 


Nut Roasts – JUSTIN Reserve Malbec works well with protein-rich nut roasts. The tannins interact with plant proteins creating a satisfying texture, while the wine’s depth matches the dish’s complexity. 


Roasted Vegetable Platters – JUSTIN’s white wines brighten colorful arrays of roasted vegetables, enhancing caramelized edges without overwhelming delicate flavors. 

Holiday Dessert Wine Pairings

End your holiday dinner on a high note with these dessert pairings featuring Paso Robles wines that satisfy without overwhelming. 

Wine Pairings for Chocolate Desserts

Dark chocolate demands our JUSTIN Obtuse dessert wine. The wines’ tannins mirror chocolate’s pleasant bitterness while fruit flavors add complementary sweetness. Serve slightly cooler than normal for best results. 

Wine Pairings for Holiday Pies

Lightly chilled Sunny’s Block Orange Muscat is a versatile dessert companion – its floral aromatics and honeyed sweetness highlight pumpkin pie’s warm spices, balance pecan pie’s caramel richness, and brighten the fruit in classic apple pie. 

Fruit-Based Desserts

JUSTIN Reserve Sauvignon Blanc shines with fruit tarts, berry crumbles, and poached pears. Its delicate sweetness and berry notes create harmony without overwhelming fresh fruit flavors. 

Holiday Cookies & Light Desserts

Keep it light with chilled JUSTIN Chardonnay for sugar cookies, gingerbread, or shortbread. The wine’s festive character provides a pleasant finish without heaviness. 

Holiday Wine Serving Strategies & Tips

Three approaches for different situations: 

How to Serve Wine at Holiday Dinners

Before dinner: Open reds 30–60 minutes early to let them breathe. Chill whites to 45°F. Have backup bottles at proper temperature. 

During service: Keep whites in ice buckets between pours. Pour moderate amounts (about 1/3 of the glass) to prevent warming. Always offer both red and white options. 

Quantity planning: 

  • Small dinner (4–6 people): One bottle per 2–3 guests 
  • Medium party (8–12): Offer 2–3 different wines, calculate ½ bottle per person 
  • Large gathering (12+): Provide 3–4 options, estimate 2 glasses per person during dinner 

Common Holiday Wine Pairing Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don’t serve wines too warm. Room temperature is often 72°F+, but reds taste best at 60–65°F. 
  • Don’t pair sweet dishes with bone-dry wines. Sweetness makes dry wines taste sour and flat. 
  • Don’t use high-tannin wines with vegetables. Tannins can taste metallic with certain vegetables. 
  • Don’t offer only one wine. Different guests have different preferences – provide options. 
  • Don’t stress about perfection. Good wine with good food usually works. Focus on enjoying the celebration. 


Make this holiday unforgettable with JUSTIN wines. Explore our collection and join our wine club for 20% member savings on every bottle. From appetizers to dessert, we have the perfect wine for every moment of your celebration. Visit The Restaurant at JUSTIN for an unforgettable MICHELIN-recognized dining experience.