Like so many holidays throughout the year Christmas is a great “wine holiday,” there is much diversity of food, and fun pairings to go with all of them. Our gatherings whether big or small feature close friends and family just those we want to share a great bottle of wine with. Here are some of our favorites that we will be enjoying over the Christmas holiday.

The winter holidays always present an opportunity for “bubbly;” it sets a festive atmosphere and looks great with all of the sparkling decorations and Christmas lights around the house. Our new favorite is the NV Antech Emotion ($19, $17.10 wine club price). The wine is a dry rosè Cremant de Limoux. Cremant is the designation for wines from France that are made the way Champagne is made but do not come from the Champagne region. In the case of this wine it comes from Limoux. The bubbles are fine and tight and the palate is crisp clean and dry with lovely strawberry flavors though out. Whether for your New Year’s toast or as a preamble to you Christmas gathering it is perfect.

Regular readers have known for years our affection for Dungeness crab. Whether it is in a Louis salad or made into crab cakes it begs for Chardonnay as an accompaniment. The 2014 Truchard Chardonnay ($35, wine club price $31.50) is just the ticket. It is a bit spendy for a crowd but it is just about the best Chardonnay I have had in the past year. It has all of the components of California Chardonnay but is made with such elegant balance and precision it is one of the best bottles of wine we carry in any category. If it is not in the budget for Christmas Eve dinner it will be great as a gift for the Chardonnay lover on your list.

We will be having prime rib on Christmas but have to say my preferred meal would be to have turkey. It is what I had as a child and remains one of my favorite holiday meals. If you are having turkey Pinot Noir is the natural pairing. We have tried many over the last year and it remains one of our “go to” varietals. Even with all we carry and all we try throughout the year the Sean Minor Central Coast Pinot Noir ($16, wine club price $14.40) is about the best choice if you are having a crowd. It is classic California Pinot with mild earthiness and loads of cherry flavors a dry palate and lengthy finish. It clearly over delivers for the money.

If you are having prime rib the natural choices are either Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon. A new wine we are carrying that is predominantly Merlot the 2014 Tenshen from Santa Barbara ($26, wine club price $23.40). It is loaded with chocolate covered cherry notes and has plenty of heft to go step for step with your hearty beef dishes like prime rib.

If Cabernet is your choice I would go with the runaway hit of the second half of the year the 2012 Secret Squirrel Cabernet ($30, wine club price $27). Made by Corliss Cellars in Walla Walla it is a pure expression of Washington State Cabernet, loads of plum flavors light baking spice aromatic and a long and elegant finish. Tough to go wrong with this wine whether to have it at a more intimate gathering or to present to your Cab loving gift recipient.

Red blends remain very popular and go well with a number of foods. The 2014 Raymond Field Blend ($14, wine club price $12.60) is the perfect wine for entertaining a crowd or to serve with your meal. It shows great fruit framed by ample but well integrated tannins and a lovely dry finish. Your guests will love it.

One final choice if you are serving rack of lamb. We secured a small amount of 2009 Skylark Rodger’s Creek Vineyard Syrah ($40, wine club price $36) from the winery’s library. It is sensational and with the savory earthiness of the wine it will highlight the gamey character in your lamb to perfection.

There are more choices than we can list to go with your Christmas and New Year’s meals. Stop by the shop or chat with your favorite wine professional for all the tasty options.

If there is a topic you would like to read about or if you have questions on wine, you can email George@thedinnerpartyshop.com, or make suggestions by contacting the Healthy Community section at the Coeur d’Alene Press.

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George Balling is co-owner (with his wife Mary Lancaster) of the dinner party, a wine and table top décor shop located by Costco in Coeur d’Alene. George worked as a judge in many wine competitions, and his articles are published around the country. You can learn more about the dinner party at www.thedinnerpartyshop.com. Be sure and check out our weekly blog at www.thedinnerpartyshop.com/home/blog-2. You can get all of these articles as well as other great wine tips by friending us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/#!/dinnerpartyshop.