Cheers to the Holidays: 10 Classic Food and Wine Pairings for Aussie Celebrations

There's something magical about the holidays down under. With the festive decorations, sunshine, and get-togethers - it's a bloody good excuse to indulge in food and wine. From seafood spreads to pavlovas, there's something for everyone. But what about wine pairings? Spice up your holiday meals this season with our top 10 classic food and wine pairings for an Aussie celebration. 

When the sun is bright and the BBQs are out, we kick off our celebration with succulent prawns sizzling on the grill and a frosty bottle of sparkling wine ready to pop beside them. The tiny bubbles in the wine complement the sea's briny bounty, helping to cleanse the palate and leave you grabbing for more. We're celebrating, right, so why not pick up some Champagne?

Baked ham fills the air with its sweet-and-savoury richness, and we have the perfect companion for it - a light-bodied rosé. This wine's fruity notes and subtle zest enhance the flavours of the ham. Our picks would be a wine with a touch of sweetness, plenty of acidity and bold fruit, like a Grenache Rosé.

In the Christmas spotlight, the majestic roast turkey takes centre stage. Cue the entrance of a medium-bodied Pinot Noir. The wine's earthy notes and mild tannins are great in a balanced wine with some bottle age, but too much mouth-coating tannin could also ruin all those hours you've spent cooking away in the kitchen. We suggest something like a Geelong Pinot.

The holiday table welcomes the bold entrance of lamb, and to stand toe-to-toe with its richness, we present the robust and full-bodied Shiraz. The wine's bold, peppery notes and tannins will bind to proteins and help cut through the lamb's natural fattiness. We suggest a cool climate, Shiraz from the Clare Valley or Eden Valley.

Elevate your grilled sausages game with a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon. Smoked sausage is rich in flavour. Cabernet tends to be fuller-bodied and has bolder fruit notes that will stand up to the bold flavours of this meat. Cabernets tend to be oak fermented or oak aged, thus often having smoky notes that will complement those grilled notes beautifully. We recommend new world Cabernets from the Margaret River or Coonawarra. 

A Spanish-inspired Paella dish is becoming a popular Christmas meal in Australia; look out for a refreshing Albariño. The wine has a crisp acidity and citrusy-saline flavours that pair perfectly with shrimp, squid, and other seafood. Head straight to the source and try some Albariño from Spain for this one. 

Roasted pork is another classic holiday dish that can benefit from a well-chosen wine pairing. A creamy, buttery and oaky Chardonnay will match the tender texture of the pork, making for a pleasant mouthfeel. Australia's Chardy game is strong; check out the Chardonnay from Beechworth to make it world-class.

A hearty and flavorful beef brisket should pair with a wine with equal boldness and complexity. A dry, juicy, full-bodied Malbec will complement the dish's smoky and meaty flavours, creating an unforgettable holiday experience. You can't go past Malbec from Argentina, and neither can your brisket.

Every holiday meal deserves a cheese platter to end the night on a high note—a sweet and fortified port paired with various kinds of cheese, from a sharp cheddar to a tangy blue. The wine's sweetness and nutty notes complement the cheese's flavours, creating a rich and indulgent dessert. We have a range of international and national ports listed here.

Lastly, no Aussie Christmas meal is complete without a pavlova. This (New Zealand-original) dessert pairs great with a glass of light and sweet Moscato. The wine's fruity and floral notes will complement the dessert's meringue and fresh fruit topping for the sweetest ending. The King Valley is making some great Moscato.

The holiday season is about coming together and creating memories with loved ones. And, of course, indulging in some delicious food and wine. Your holiday meal will be a hit with these 10 food and wine pairings. Whether you're grilling seafood, roasting meat, or enjoying a cheese platter, there's a wine pairing that will enhance the flavours and make your holiday meal even more special.