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Move over, milk—your holiday cookies just found a delicious new pairing. Serve Shiraz, Late Harvest Riesling or Demi-Sec Prosecco with gingerbread; Madeira, Vin Santo or Tawny Port with pecan pie; and Chardonnay, Tokaji Aszú or Late Harvest Chenin Blanc with pumpkin pie.
Pair Brachetto d’Acqui, Banyuls Rimage or Ice Wine with peppermint bark; Moscato d’Asti, Asti Spumante or Demi-Sec Champagne with sugar cookies; Coteaux du Layon, Sauternes or Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc with Linzer cookies; and Merlot, Ruby Port or Banyuls with classic chocolate chip cookies. For European holiday desserts, choose Sauternes, Vin Santo or Moscato d’Asti with Christmas pudding and Rutherglen Muscat, Cream Sherry or Sauternes for sticky toffee pudding.
The golden rule is to choose a wine sweeter than the dessert itself to avoid a bitter finish. Serving these wines well-chilled in smaller glassware concentrates their complex aromas, transforming your final course into a sophisticated holiday treat.
Gingerbread
Wine pairing with this holiday treat should be a bold, intense wine with a spicy flavor profile that can stand up to the richness of cloves, cinnamon and molasses.
Shiraz: A fruit-forward Australian Shiraz; its natural notes of black pepper, plum, and licorice create a beautiful harmony with the clove and ginger spices.
Late Harvest Riesling: High acidity cuts through dense molasses and the sweetness highlights the ginger spice.
Prosecco (Demi-Sec): A sweeter version of the popular sparkler, its bright pear and apple notes provide a light, refreshing lift to heavy spice.
Pecan Pie
Wines with notes of toffee and nuts will balance well with the caramelized sugar in this traditional holiday dessert.
Madeira: This fortified wine from Portugal has a flavor profile that mirrors the pie's filling.
Vin Santo: A decadent Italian dessert wine with honey and dried fruit notes, it will complement the toasted pecans.
Aged Tawny Port: The wood-aged nutty characteristics of a 20-year Tawny provide a delightful pairing.
Pumpkin Pie
While many reach for a dessert wine, an oak aged “buttery” wine is a sophisticated pairing for pumpkin flavors.
Chardonnay: The vanilla and toasted oak notes from barrel aging harmonize well with pumpkin spice.
Tokaji Aszú: This Hungarian wine brings honeyed apricot flavors that elevate the creamy texture of the custard.
Late Harvest Chenin Blanc: Pair with this wine for a balance of sweetness and ginger-pear notes that brighten the pumpkin texture.
Peppermint Bark
Mint is notoriously difficult to pair with wine because it can add a metallic flavor. The trick is to find a light, fruity red with a bit of "fizz."
Brachetto d'Acqui: A semi-sparkling Italian red that tastes like candied strawberries—this will be a refreshing counterpoint to mint.
Banyuls Rimage: A French fortified red wine that is the gold standard for the dark and white chocolate layers.
Ice Wine: The intense concentration of sugar and fruit can handle the bold punch of peppermint without being overshadowed.
Sugar Cookies
Holiday sugar cookies may be just right for Santa, but they need something light and effervescent when pairing with wine.
Moscato d'Asti: Fizzy and floral, this wine acts as a palate cleanser for buttery, often iced cookies.
Demi-Sec Champagne: A slightly sweeter version of your favorite bubbles that highlights the vanilla notes.
Asti Spumante: A fully sparkling option that brings a festive, fruity energy to your holiday cookie platter.
Linzer Cookies
A holiday staple, these delicate almond sandwiches are usually filled with tart raspberry or currant jam.
Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc: The stone-fruit notes of peach and apricot harmonize with the tart fruit filling.
Sauternes: This prestigious French dessert wine has a honeyed acidity that balances the nutty almond flour used in the dough.
Coteaux du Layon: A sweet Chenin Blanc offers a floral, citrus-driven profile to match the delicate nature of these Austrian treats.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
The ultimate holiday comfort food, the key is matching its chocolate levels with a fruit-forward wine.
Merlot: Pour a soft tannin Merlot, ideally with a natural chocolate finish that complements the decadence of this warm, comforting dessert.
Ruby Port: The vibrant berry notes in a Ruby Port act like a raspberry sauce when sipped alongside dark chocolate chips.
Banyuls: This French dessert wine is a soulmate for chocolate, offering deep notes of plum and cocoa.
Christmas Pudding
This classic European dessert is packed with suet, brandy-soaked raisins and citrus.
Sauternes: The honey, apricot and zest in Sauternes balances the density of the pudding’s steamed fruit.
Vin Santo: A popular wine from Tuscany, its flavors of dried fig, caramel and toasted nuts work well with the spices and dark fruit.
Moscato d’Asti: A popular, low-alcohol option that uses light bubbles and fresh peach notes to provide a playful lift for the pudding.
Sticky Toffee Pudding
This comfort food holiday favorite is a moist cake covered with toffee sauce and vanilla custard. You will need a wine that won't get lost in the richness.
Rutherglen Muscat: An Australian classic with "sticky" flavors of raisins and dates that match the pudding's intensity.
Cream Sherry: Its velvet texture and nutty sweetness balance well with the dessert's flavors.
Sauternes: This luscious, gold-hued wine delivers concentrated notes of butterscotch and marmalade that dissolve seamlessly with the pudding.
Tip for Serving Dessert Wines
To ensure your holiday pairings shine, pay attention to temperature and glassware. Serve your sweet dessert wines well-chilled (around 45–50°F) to maintain their vibrant flavors. Using smaller dessert wine glasses—or even standard white wine glasses—helps concentrate the complex aromas of honey, stone fruit and spice, allowing the wine to act as a sophisticated flourish rather than an overwhelming sugar rush.
Ready to stock your cellar for the holidays? Browse our collection of wine glasses to ensure your table is beautifully set this season.