The holidays are quickly approaching, and we all know what that means — delicious meals and annual traditions enjoyed with family and friends. The holidays are also a fantastic opportunity to try new wines with old favorite recipes, and 2020 is the perfect year to add some new touches to old traditions by exploring different varieties of wine to pair with each course.
Holiday meals include a variety of different appetizers, entrees, and side dishes — all which can be enjoyed with deliciously bold Byrd Vineyard wines. Finding the perfect wine for your holiday dinner doesn’t have to be complicated. With Byrd Vineyard’s low tannin wines that are powerful enough to compete with the intense flavors of Christmas dinner and acidic enough to cut through the creamy and rich dishes that we dream about all year long, you have everything you need to enjoy a perfect holiday wine pairing.
2012 Byrd Vineyard Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Mendocino
Fruity and bold, our Double Gold Medal-winning Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is the perfect wine to enjoy with a hearty meal and roaring fireplace on a chilly winter night. Subtly sweet and intensely succulent, this wine makes a perfect pair for any holiday dinner.
When pairing a Cabernet Sauvignon, you can never go wrong with any red meat. Whether celebrating Christmas with a beef tenderloin, roast beef, or braised short ribs or enjoying a traditional brisket on Hanukkah, the balanced and powerful Cabernet Sauvignon is the ideal way to offset fatty red meat and bring out the best flavors in each dish.
Cabernet Sauvignon also pairs beautifully with seasonings such as rosemary, garlic, and mint — so herb-roasted vegetables would bring out flavor intensity and depth.
2012 Byrd Vineyard Mendocino Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
This unique wine is a Double Gold Medal winner for a reason! Palate is hibiscus tea, raspberry coulis, and just a hint of tamarind paste. A potent wine that is expressive and driven by finesse. Wood notes accentuate the ripe fruits and lend the magnificent structure complexity. Truly a one-of-a-kind wine you’ve never experienced before.
2012 Byrd Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Mendocino
With notes of warm spice and sweet vanilla, our 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon makes a perfect pairing with any appetizer, side dish, or hearty entree that your holiday dinner has in store. Bold, fruit-forward, and slightly herbaceous, our Cabernet Sauvignon pairs well with heavier dishes and herby, smoky flavors. For example, the sweet glaze of a honey-baked ham would deliciously complement the wine’s notes of red and black fruits. Another great option, roasted lamb with rosemary would pair perfectly with the herbaceous notes found in the wine.
As for side dishes, heavy and creamy dishes paired with a powerful Cabernet Sauvignon result in a match made in heaven. Rich and delectable mashed potatoes — or even macaroni and cheese if your holiday dinner guests are so inclined — pair well with an acidic and intensely flavored wine that can easily cut through their creamy intensity.
2012 Byrd Vineyard Mendocino Cabernet Sauvignon
Bold and brilliant, our 2012 is bursting with classic Cabernet notes – black fruits like plum and blackberries dominate, with touches of clove and chocolate. Layered and dense, this wine is textbook Northern California Cabernet.
2012 Byrd Vineyard Red Wine Mendocino
Our smooth and complex Red Wine Mendocino would pair wonderfully with any holiday spread. Fruit-forward with earthy and mineral elements, this wine would deliciously complement any hearty main dish. Fatty beef dishes such as a tender prime rib or filet mignon perfectly soften the wine’s tannins, creating mellow and delicious flavors.
Red wine would be remiss if not paired with an array of bold and creamy cheeses. Hard cheeses like aged cheddar or smoky gouda would work perfectly, as the fattiness of the cheese works to tame the bold wine. Soft cheeses such as blue cheese and gorgonzola also pair wonderfully with such a powerful red wine. Lastly, you’d regret it if you didn’t add some herbed cheese to your pre-dinner cheese board. Rosemary goat cheese or even truffled brie would make wonderful additions to a delicious wine and cheese pairing.
2012 Byrd Vineyard Mendocino Red Wine
Cabernet dominates in this blend, excluding left bank confidence and power. Dark red fruits are the core – currants, cherries, and tart pomegranate. Earth notes of tobacco and cedar give the wine depth, and the finish is drawn out and vibrant. The wine is simultaneously smooth and bold, and lends itself to drinking with friends or over dinner.
Cheers to you & yours!
There’s nothing like a glass of red wine to warm you up on a cold winter night, especially while surrounded by friends and family during special times like the holidays. Byrd Vineyard’s red wines make an incredible addition to any holiday meal and are best enjoyed with loved ones!