Holiday Entertaining, Made Easy
The busy holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the opportunity for dinner parties with friends and family. Our December menu and the plentiful offerings from our Sides & Sweets Freezer have everything you need to self-cater a memorable, stress-free holiday party. For further ease and a “wow” factor, serve these delicious menu items with our handpicked wine pairings, or consider giving these dinners as a holiday gift with a complementary bottle of wine!
December Menu Items
Beef Bourguignon
Suggested Pairing: Burgundy
A rich, bold Burgundy is the classic accompaniment to a traditional beef bourguignon, especially since the dish is made with this wine. So, open a bottle and unwind while this dish slowly cooks and fills the house with comforting aromas.
Golden Shrimp with Parmesan Risotto
Suggested Pairing: Prosecco
Make your meal a true celebration by sipping on a glass of Prosecco while enjoying our flavorful and rich Golden Shrimp and Parmesan Risotto. The crisp, light bubble of this sparkling wine will cut through the heaviness of the risotto, resulting in an elevated dish in which each component sings!
French Chicken Cassoulet
Suggested Pairing: Malbec
Although a crisp white seems like the obvious choice for this dish, it is really a dry fruit-forward Malbec that will elevate this meal. The dry edge of a Malbec perfect cuts through the rich stew and buttery breadcrumbs, making every bite irresistible.
Crispy Salmon Cakes with Tangy Tartar Sauce
Suggested Pairing: Chardonnay
Salmon practically begs to be paired with a nice buttery chardonnay. The natural oils in the salmon complement the complexity of chardonnay wine, plus this wine can stand up to the tangy tartar sauce – yum!
Chicken Parmesan
Suggested Pairing: Sangiovese
Take a trip to Italy with this perfect food/wine pairing. The dry yet full-body Sangiovese makes a fabulous companion to our chicken parmesan. The dry wine is ideal for the rustic tomato sauce and crispy breadcrumb topping this meal.
Pork Tenderloin Wellington
Suggested Pairing: Merlot
Similar to the depth of flavors found in our Pork Tenderloin Wellingtons, Merlot writes its own story with every sip! The layers of berries uncovered in Merlot match and compliment the layers of buttery puff pastry dough, herbed cheese, and tender pork that will be discovered in these delicious pork bundles.
Holiday Desserts*
Luscious Lemon Bars
Suggested Pairing: Champagne
What sounds more luxurious than zesty lemon bars and crisp champagne? That’s what we thought. This combination is the perfect wrap up to any meal and a true crowd-pleaser, so please, pop the champagne!
Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes
Suggested Pairing: Cabernet Sauvignon
Anything chocolate pairs wonderfully with a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon, but our decadent Molten Lava Chocolate Cakes scream for a full fruity Cabernet Sauvignon to cut through all the richness.
Pineapple Upside Down Cakes
Suggested Pairing: Port
Nothing pairs better with these sweet pineapple cakes than a classic port. Though sweet, you’ll find that port has a magical depth of flavor that will be an easy sipper to wash down this tropical dessert.
Apple Crisp
Suggested Pairing: Gewürztraminer
The name of this wine might be a mouthful, but it sure pairs nicely with a mouthful of apple crisp! The sweet and tart combination from the apples are enhanced by the fruity crispness from a Gewürztraminer wine.
We wish you and your loved ones a joyful and relaxed holiday season, with time spent gathered around the dinner table creating new memories.
*Sides & Sweets Freezer offerings vary by store and are available in limited quantities. Contact your local store to see what delicious desserts (and breakfasts and side dishes) are available.