Geography, food, religion and local customs all shape Christmas wine traditions. For British drinkers, Champagne, red Bordeaux and Port are familiar festive choices. Beyond the UK, wine is woven into winter markets and family gatherings across much of Europe. In the Southern Hemisphere, Christmas falls in summer, bringing a different rhythm to festive celebrations. The wines and settings may vary, but each reflects the customs of the households that enjoy them.
European Christmas wine traditions
Cuvee 204 Sekt Brut Nature Sektgut Christmann & Kauffmann NV
Germany: the enduring appeal of Glühwein
Glühwein is a familiar feature of German Christmas markets. The German Wine Institute describes it as an aromatised wine-based drink with added sugar and spices, typically cinnamon, cloves and citrus. Its name means ‘glow wine’, a reference to the spiced drink’s warming effect. Its strength must be at least 7% and below 14.5% alcohol by volume; water and additional alcohol are not permitted. Red wine is the usual base, though white versions are also made, often with Riesling or Müller-Thurgau. The practice of adding spices and sweetness to wine has a long history. Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt, for example, has documented origins dating back to 1678. Today, Glühwein is part of the wider experience of visiting these markets, alongside regional food and seasonal specialities.
For home-made Glühwein, choose a simple, fruit-led red rather than an expensive, oak-aged wine: heat and spices mask the nuances of a fine bottle. For the Christmas dining table, look instead to Germany’s other wines. Riesling, especially from the Mosel or Rheingau, is a versatile choice, with acidity that pairs well with smoked fish, poultry and dishes featuring fruit or spice.
Guy de Chassey Grand Cru Brut NV
France: Champagne at the festive table
France offers a different picture. Christmas is traditionally celebrated on 24th December during the réveillon. The term réveillon originates from the French word réveil, meaning ‘waking’ or ‘awakening’. This refers to the tradition of staying awake late into the night, often until the early hours of Christmas morning. The custom of le réveillon de Noël dates back to the 17th century, when it was a time for families to gather together and share a meal after attending midnight mass. Over time, the tradition evolved to include a lavish feast, typically served after midnight, often featuring multiple courses and fine wines. Today, le réveillon de Noël remains an integral part of French Christmas traditions.
Champagne and other sparkling wines are the celebratory wines of choice. A survey carried out by Ifop for Vin & Société in 2024 found that 60% of respondents drank sparkling wine at Christmas. Sparkling wines frequently open the réveillon meal, served as an aperitif or alongside the first courses. Their acidity and fine mousse make them particularly suited to seafood, smoked salmon and lighter starters. A Blanc de Blancs can work especially well here, while a richer vintage Champagne has the structure to accompany more substantial dishes.
Portugal: Port after the meal
In Portugal, families traditionally gather on Christmas Eve for the Consoada, with salted cod or another fish at the centre of the meal. Meat is more commonly eaten on Christmas Day. The custom is closely connected with Catholic observance, although what appears on the table varies from one household and region to another.
Port is an important part of Portugal’s wine heritage, but it would be a mistake to assume that it is the natural match for the Christmas Eve cod. The dish is often served with potatoes, greens and olive oil. A dry white from the Douro, or a lively Vinho Verde, is likely to be more at home alongside it.
Port is particularly associated with the later stages of a meal. Its different styles offer considerable flexibility, especially when the dessert table includes rich pastries, chocolate or cheese. A 10-year-old Tawny Port, with its developed notes of nuts, dried fruit and caramel, is a natural partner for traditional Portuguese egg-based sweets. A younger, fruit-led Late Bottled Vintage Port is often more successful with chocolate desserts. Vintage Port, meanwhile, can be an excellent match for mature cheeses.
Langhe Nebbiolo Pian delle Mole Giulia Negri
Italy: Vin Santo and the Christmas dessert table
Italy’s Christmas traditions differ widely by region, with no single wine defining the festive table. Dessert wines link local food customs with seasonal celebrations. Panettone and Pandoro are enjoyed nationwide, while other food and wine choices reflect regional preferences.
In Tuscany, Vin Santo is traditionally served with cantucci at the end of a meal. Made from grapes dried to concentrate their sugars before fermentation, it can develop flavours of dried apricot, honey, toasted nuts and spice, depending on the producer and ageing. Its natural sweetness and mature character offer an appealing alternative to Port.
For British households, Vin Santo is a rewarding match for almond-based desserts or biscotti. It also makes a thoughtful wine gift for someone whose cellar is already well stocked with more familiar fortified wines.
Christmas in the Americas
Christmas falls in summer in Argentina and Chile. Neither country has a single Christmas wine tradition; instead, local wine styles and the summer setting give both sparkling wines and slightly cooled reds a place at the festive table.
Alongside its better-known still wines, Argentina has an established sparkling wine industry. Traditional-method sparkling wines offer an alternative to Champagne, with the freshness and acidity to complement celebratory meals. Chile’s Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère offer options for grilled meats and richer dishes. Carmenère’s softer tannins and distinctive savoury notes make it particularly suited to barbecued food.
In the United States, Christmas wine choices often overlap with those served at Thanksgiving, chosen to complement a substantial meal, traditionally roast turkey, ham and dishes with richer sauces. California Pinot Noir is a good option with turkey: its freshness and moderate tannins are less likely to overwhelm the meat. Cabernet Sauvignon is better suited to beef or richer preparations. There is no single American Christmas wine tradition, and regional preferences differ.
Australia and New Zealand: Christmas in summer
In Australia and New Zealand, Christmas falls in summer, shifting the focus from warming drinks and full-bodied reds to chilled whites and sparkling wines. Red wines still have a place at the festive table, particularly when served slightly cool.
Australia’s wine industry is also highly varied. Wine Australia’s 2025 production report recorded 1.13 billion litres of wine from the 2025 vintage, with red wine production increasing by 15% compared with the previous year. This breadth of production gives consumers considerable choice, from structured Shiraz to aromatic white wines. For a summer Christmas meal, Australian Chardonnay, Semillon or Sauvignon Blanc can work well with seafood and lighter dishes. Sparkling Shiraz offers a more distinctive alternative for those looking to explore a style with a clear Australian identity.
New Zealand’s Sauvignon Blanc is another natural choice for warm-weather dining. Its freshness and pronounced acidity make it particularly suitable for seafood, salads and dishes with citrus-led dressings.
Choosing wines with regional character
If you are planning your festive selection or looking for a bottle with a particular regional connection, our Christmas wine selection is a useful place to begin. For more considered choices, speak to your Corney & Barrow account manager, who can advise on suitable bottles for your menu, cellar and gifting requirements.
Frequently asked questions
What wine is traditionally drunk at Christmas?
There is no single international Christmas wine. Champagne is popular in France and the UK, Glühwein is closely associated with German Christmas markets, and Port has a strong connection with Portuguese wine culture and after-dinner drinking.
What do people drink at Christmas in France, Italy and Germany?
In France, Champagne is frequently served during the festive period. In Germany, Glühwein is a familiar feature of Christmas markets. Italy has a varied regional wine culture, with Vin Santo traditionally enjoyed in Tuscany alongside cantucci and other desserts.
Which country drinks the most wine at Christmas?
There is no consistently published international ranking of wine consumption specifically on Christmas Day. National wine consumption statistics do not necessarily reflect festive drinking, so it would be misleading to identify a single country as the largest Christmas wine consumer.
Why is mulled wine associated with Christmas?
Mulled wine is associated with the colder months because wine has historically been flavoured with spices and served warm. In Germany, Glühwein became closely linked with the Advent season and Christmas markets, where it remains a familiar seasonal drink.
What are traditional Christmas wines in the UK?
Champagne and other sparkling wines are popular choices for festive celebrations in the UK. Port, particularly Tawny Port, is also a familiar accompaniment to Christmas pudding and cheese. Increasingly, households choose wines according to the food being served rather than following a single tradition.
What wine goes best with Christmas pudding?
Tawny Port is a particularly good match for traditional Christmas pudding. Its sweetness and flavours of dried fruit, nuts and caramel complement the pudding’s rich texture and spices. Madeira and other well-structured sweet wines are also worth considering.
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