Maximum enjoyment is the name of the game with all pairings — that’s the rule, and really the only rule. But that’s especially true when it comes to matching up wine with something as whimsical and nostalgic as Christmas cookies.
That said, general wine-pairing wisdom recommends that your chosen wine should be sweeter than what you’re eating, as more saccharine food can accentuate harshness or unwanted bitterness in your glass. So, if you’re choosing between two bottles of the same style of wine, the sweeter option is almost always the right way to go when it comes to drinking with dessert.
That means that enjoying wine with your favorite holiday bakes — whether they be peanut butter blossoms, gingerbread, biscotti, or anything in between — offers a chance to delve into the woefully out-of-fashion world of dessert wines. Despite some of the world’s priciest, most sought-after wines being dessert wines (think vintage port or Sauternes), much of what’s on the market is undervalued and priced as such, making them an easy add to your holiday spread.
Read on for our recommendations on the best wines to pair with Christmas cookies.
Cranberry Orange Cookies and Rosé Prosecco
A frosted cranberry cookie is standard issue on a holiday cookie plate, and sweet rosé Prosecco will meet that citrusy berry fest with its own bramble party. Each brings a bit of tartness to the pairing, and the bubbles complement the cakey texture of the cookie.
Almond Spritz Cookies and Moscato d’Asti
Crisp almond
