All across the world, Christmas is much more than a date on a calendar: it’s a celebration that also offers the perfect excuse to gather together with friends and family and become reacquainted with your favorite flavors and experiences. Traditions are a means of honoring the past and feeling part of something; a story and a community, much bigger than we are.
Christmas is one of those moments. And yet, the classical Dickensian snowy landscapes of the northern hemisphere are quite different to the lighter outdoors options found in the south. But variety is the spice of life, as they say. Hot and cold weather have their own rituals and recipes. So it doesn’t matter whether you’re celebrating in front of an open fire or under the starry skies of a summer night: the magic of Christmas is always there to be enjoyed in the right company, glass in hand.
Here, we’re going to let you in on a secret: the right wines to open probably differ depending on whether you’re having a cold or warm Christmas. Different options suit different parts of the world better. If you’re a wine lover or just interested in new experiences, knowing which wine to choose depending on the climate and food being served might be key to really enjoying your Christmas.
And, of course, here we recommend the best Argentine wines to try at Christmas, depending on where you are in the world.
Why you should be uncorking an Argentine wine for Christmas
Christmas essentially represents a passion and excitement about sharing. Argentine wines express that ethos wonderfully. They’re known for their ability to embody the traditions and land where they came from: the essence of nature, vineyards at the foot of the Andes, mountain landscapes, cool nights and a generous sun that bring character and energy to the flavors.
Northern hemisphere: wines to warm the cockles of your heart
In most of the northern hemisphere, December is a month of freezing nights, snow and warming meals. The Christmas table will thus be heaving with succulent, comforting food: stews, roasts, stuffing and aged cheese. The emphasis is on warmth and rich flavors.
For these climates, full-bodied reds are your friends. A high-altitude Argentine Malbec, for instance, with an intense character and notes of plum, blackberry and chocolate is an excellent option to go with red meats, roast lamb and mushroom dishes. The balanced acidity and silky tannins of Malbec fill up the palate nicely. Which are worth looking out for? We recommend trying Doña Paula Selección de Bodega Malbec, Pascual Toso Alta Malbec or Araucana Río de los Ciervos Malbec. They’re all an excellent start.
Another interesting recommendation might be a Cabernet Sauvignon whose aromas of blackcurrant and spice go perfectly with aged cheeses or prime rib. The wines we suggest in that case include Piattelli Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Particular Bianchi Cabernet Sauvignon and Las Perdices Exploración Cabernet Sauvignon Gualtallary.
If you’re looking for something more sophisticated, an Argentine Bordeaux blend will bring complexity and sophistication to the Christmas meal. Options to try include: Etchart Arnaldo B, Montchenot Gran Reserva 15 Años and Del Fin del Mundo Special Blend.
Of course, you’ll also need some sparkling wines, especially something made using the traditional method. These wines will bring a sparky freshness to the table and also go well with fruity, creamy desserts. We recommend choosing Nieto Senetiner Grand Cuvée Brut Nature, Salentein Brut Rosé or Cruzat Cuvée Nature.
In the northern hemisphere, the cold weather is also conducive to long chats at the table with puddings, chocolates and candy, which will pair well with fortified Malbecs such as Trumpeter Reserve Fortificado Dulce and Zuccardi Malamado. And then you can feel truly satisfied as you curl up by the fire.
Southern Hemisphere: freshness and elegance in the summer heat
Meanwhile, in the southern hemisphere, Christmas is celebrated in the summer sun with higher temperatures and lighter meals such as barbecues, fresh salads, seafood and tropical fruit. The key here will be to choose wines that stand up well to the heat and bring out the fresh, vibrant flavors of the dishes.
In that setting, Argentine whites are an excellent choice. A Torrontés from Salta, with its aromas of white flowers, citrus and peach, would be ideal to go with seafood, ceviche and tropical salad. These white wines, such as Tukma Reserva Torrontés, Adentro Torrontés and Anko Torrontés, are light and aromatic and just the thing to beat the heat.
If you’re looking for a white with more body, then you’ll probably want to try a Chardonnay. For example, Ruca Malén Capítulo Dos Chardonnay, Casarena Owens Vineyard Chardonnay or Hermandad Chardonnay will all go excellently with barbecued chicken or fish. Their unctuosity, ripe fruit, and vanilla fruit notes go beautifully with light, cooked dishes.
What about the reds? There’s no reason not to think of them in summer, but it’s probably better to opt for the lighter side of the scale. A Pinot Noir – mild and fruity with vibrant acidity – would be an excellent choice for white meats, pastas with light sauces or even lean barbecued meat such as skirt steak. Among the Pinots, excellent options include Saurus Pinot Noir, Serbal Pinot Noir and Joven Miras Pinot Noir.
Sparkling wines from Argentina also work beautifully in summer. A sparkling rosé is a marvellous choice and the ideal accompaniment to starters, sushi or fruity desserts such as a pavlova with forest fruits. Some options to try include Kaiken Brut Rosé, Osadia de Crear Rosé Brut Nature and, more exotically, Alpamanta Breva Pet Nat Criolla.
