Clink Different

Foolproof Holiday Food and Wine Pairings

It’s the most wonderful (and stressful) time of the year! While the holidays are a special season for gathering with friends and family, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of planning the perfect party. This year, take a page out of Clink Different’s hosting handbook with festive holiday courses and wine pairings from Germany and Bordeaux.

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Honey-Thyme Whipped Goat Cheese Bites with Pomegranate and Cremant de Bordeaux

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This bite-sized appetizer is simple to make and sure to please. Whipped goat cheese adds tanginess and lightness to this finger food, while the fresh thyme lends a cozy, seasonal flavor. Sprinkle pomegranate seeds for some tartness and a festive splash of color. We recommend serving with Dulong Crémant de Bordeaux Brut, which features lively bubbles that complement the creaminess of the goat cheese and acidity that balances the honey and fresh pop of pomegranate.. Find the full recipe for the whipped goat cheese bites here. 

Find a bottle of Dulong Crémant de Bordeaux Brut on TotalWine.com or at a retailer near you. 

Arugula Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette and Bordeaux Blanc

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Arugula Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette is easy, refreshing, and an excellent follow-up to rich appetizers like goat cheese bites. This light salad resets the palate and prepares guests for any entrée to follow. Greens like arugula pair excellently with a Bordeaux White Blend, especially an aromatic Sauvignon Blanc-forward bottle like Château Haut-Colombier Blanc. Dry with a medium body, the wine features flavors of grapefruit, lemon curd, and chamomile that balance the bite of the arugula and emphasize the freshness of the vinaigrette. Make this simple salad using any vinaigrette you have on hand and add as many toppings as you’d like!  

Find a bottle of Château Haut-Colombier Blanc on Wine.com or at a retailer near you. 

Pork Medallions in Tarragon Cream Sauce and Dry German Riesling

Photo Credit: Platings and Pairings 

Food-friendly German Riesling is an excellent option to pair with decadent pork medallions with a creamy tarragon sauce, and we recommend Villa Wolf Dry Riesling from the Pfalz. Served with mashed potatoes or rice, these pork medallions are a rich and delicious main course that’s still simple to make for large groups of people. The creamy, earthy flavors in the sauce are balanced by Riesling’s acidity, while the wine’s light body does not overpower the delicate pork. Find the complete recipe here. 

Find a bottle of Villa Wolf Riesling at TotalWine.com or a retailer near you.

Cranberry Brie and Pecan Pinwheels with German Pinot Noir

Photo Credit: Foodness Gracious

If your guests are left craving more, whip up some Cranberry Brie and Pecan Pinwheels and serve with a side of Spätburgunder – or German Pinot Noir – for a post-dinner snack. The savory and sweet pinwheel features cranberry jelly swirled with melted brie, then entwined in a flaky, buttery crust. Lighter in body with purity of fruit, German reds like Wittmann Spätburgunder Trocken can be served with a slight chill and will balance the warm and rich pastry after a day filled with festivities. See here for the full recipe. 

Find a bottle of the Wittmann Spätburgunder at Wine.com or a retailer near you.

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