Cover Top sommeliers in Singapore share their best Christmas wine picks worthy for a toast to the festive season (Photo: Getty Images)
Top sommeliers in Singapore share their best Christmas wine picks worthy for a toast to the festive season (Photo: Getty Images)
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Top sommeliers in Singapore share their best Christmas wine picks worthy for a toast to the festive season
Alas, the holiday season—a time for twinkling lights, festive cheer, and, of course, the inevitable question: what wine should I bring to that Christmas dinner party? Fear not, Tatler Dining has gathered valuable vinous intel from some of Singapore’s top sommeliers, each a maestro in wine pairing, to help us navigate the often-daunting task of picking the perfect bottle.
From succulent roast turkey and juicy roast beef to rich, spiced ham, the culinary delights of Christmas dinner deserve wines that can hold their own. Here are the expert picks that promise to elevate your holiday feasts from ordinary to extraordinary—because what’s a holiday gathering without a little spirited conversation over bounties of food and drink?
Read more: The best Christmas delivery menus for a festive feast at home
1. Lesley Liu, head sommelier of Odette
“Light and fruity red wines are my top choice for Christmas parties. They make great pairings with gingerbread cookies and roasted chicken with herbaceous stuffings. I’d recommend the 2018 Girolamo Russo Feudo Etna rosso (nerello mascalese blend), to bring to your Christmas parties!”
2. Mason Ng, wine director of Park90 Singapore
Above Chateau Phelan Segur (Photo: Facebook / Chateau Phelan Segur)
Chateau Phelan Segur (Photo: Facebook / Chateau Phelan Segur)
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“Since Christmas is a festive season very much connected to the colour red, I’d suggest a medium-bodied red wine: Chateau Phelan Segur from St Estephe, Bordeaux. Christmas and Bordeaux resonate a lot with me as it is my family tradition to enjoy a bottle of Bordeaux over a Christmas meal. Chateau Phelan Segur, in my opinion, produces structured yet approachable, delicious and most importantly, affordable wines. For pairings, think classics of roast beef, beef wellington or maybe even turkey with cranberry sauce works.”
3. Roberto Duran, head sommelier of 67 Pall Mall Singapore
“The 2022 Condrieu from Domaine Yves Gangloff is a remarkable choice that harmonises perfectly with hearty roasts such as a roast chicken or turkey. The boldness in the structure of this white wine and enticing bouquet showcasing aromas of ripe apricots, warm toasted bread, delicate fresh flowers, and a hint of fragrant baking spices, this pairing enhances the rich flavours of a succulent roast and its accompanying aromatics like rosemary and garlic.”
4. Reuben Khew, head sommelier of Zén
Above Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars SLV cabernet sauvignon (Photo: Facebook / Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars)
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars SLV cabernet sauvignon (Photo: Facebook / Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars)
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“I love cooking during Christmas. Think dishes such as beef wellington, stuffed chicken, beef bourguignon, Mediterranean-style roasted veggies, and even make my own honey-glazed ham. These dishes pair best with richer-bodied reds, bottles such as Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars SLV cabernet sauvignon or right bank Bordeaux Château La Conseillante would do the trick.”
5. Justin Wee, assistant head sommelier of Raffles Hotel
Above Krug Grande Cuvée 172ème Édition (Photo: Krug)
Krug Grande Cuvée 172ème Édition (Photo: Krug)
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“There is always time for bubbles: be it a bottle of champagne, like an outstanding bottle of Krug Grande Cuvée 172ème Édition; 2018 Gusbourne Estate rosé, a discovery sparkling wine from Kent, England; or a Spanish sparkling from Penedès from the imperial cuveé of Gramona. It never fails to put a smile on everyone’s faces, especially during a toast around the table.”
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6. Kathryn Wong, senior sommelier of Somma
“A true reflection of the festive spirit is represented by the Le Puy de L’Ours, Savigny-Les-Beaune 1er cru, Les Lavières 2022; with its vibrant zingy acidity and a medley of red fruit flavours like raspberry, cherry, and cranberry that finishes with silky tannins. Sourced from a revitalised organic vineyard dating back to 1968—now owned by husband-wife pair, Jean Orsoni & Juliette Puyperoux—this 100 per cent pinot noir is versatile and pairs beautifully with classic Christmas dishes such as roasted turkey or glazed ham.”
7. Daisuke Shibuya, head sommelier of Terra
Above Châteauneuf-du-Pape of southern Rhône region of France (Photo: Facebook / Châteauneuf-du-Pape Wines)
Châteauneuf-du-Pape of southern Rhône region of France (Photo: Facebook / Châteauneuf-du-Pape Wines)
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“There’s nothing quite like a bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape over Christmas. Produced in the southern Rhône region of France, its name translates to ‘The Pope’s New Castle’ and is said to have been crafted for the popes who used this region as a summer retreat. The full-bodied wine is rich with fruit notes and firm tannins, making it an excellent match for meat dishes, especially roast turkey and its hearty gravy and tangy cranberry sauce; or even roast beef. What’s more, the wine often features the warm spice aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, reminiscent of the spices used in Christmas pudding and the holiday season.”
8. Wyman Kok, head sommelier of Cloudstreet
“Champagne and sake are great options as they generally pair well with a wide range of food. Ham, turkey with jam, and Christmas pudding are usual suspects for Christmas dinners which will go well with a bottle of sparkling shiraz by Teusner. This wine is uniquely red and matured in French oak before the méthode traditionelle. The nose offers a tempting bouquet of dark brooding fruits with sweet spice. On the palate, are velvety soft tannins with a light touch of fruitiness at the finish.”
9. Gary Low, sommelier-owner of Vitis
“If ever in doubt, a bottle of champagne is a safe bet. But for the adventurous, consider skin-contact wines, which pair well with Christmas roasts. Think the Memento Mori ‘Staring at the Sun’ from Victoria, Southeastern Australia or the Grape Republic Arancione from the Japanese Yamanashi-ken region.”
10. Yeo Xi Yang, sommelier-owner of Convivial
“Champagne is always celebratory and there’s no better occasion than to pop a bottle during the festive season. Christmas dishes are so diverse; meats are usually paired with a sweet element like ham and apple sauce or sliced pineapples while roast turkey goes with cranberry sauce. Champagne helps by being a good palate cleanser in between bites of stuffing and roast potatoes.”
