Food
Christmas in July Food and Wine
There’s no better way to bring people together in the depths of winter than with a hearty Christmas in July celebration, bursting with great food and wine for all to enjoy. But when actually is Christmas in July and what do you eat on Christmas in July?
Christmas in July is ‘officially’ July 25th and is celebrated on that day or the weekend it falls closest too, although it’s also celebrated throughout the entire month.
To help make your mid-year Yuletide extra-special, we’ve put together some of our favourite Christmas in July food and wine matches, guaranteed to put a smile on the face every reveller – whether you’re sharing it with work mates, or at home with family and friends!
Christmas in July entrée RECIPES WITH MATCHING WINES
WHAT WINES PAIR WITH PATE?
There’s something a little special about pâté, and this earthy interpretation from Lyndey Milan takes things to the next level with its rich flavours and texture. We suggest serving alongside an elegant and classic Brut Cuvée blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. With loads of primary stonefruit and citrus, fine mousse, creamy mouthfeel, and bright acidity, they’re a match made in heaven.
Suggested wine pairings: Sparkling Whites, Sparkling Shiraz, Pinot Noir
WHAT WINES PAIR WITH PRAWNS?
Bring the delights of the sea to your Christmas in July table with Lyndey Milan's prawns with cumin and garlic butter recipe.
Prawns are very versatile when it comes to wine matching, but we think it’s hard to go past a Semillon. Its crisp yet supple texture and vibrant citrus intensity pairs wonderfully with sea-fresh flavours of the prawns.
Suggest wine pairings: Vermentino, Riesling, Semillon
WHAT WINES PAIR WITH CHEESE SOUFFLE?
Start your Christmas in July celebrations off with a dish that is sure to impress like a tasty cheese souffle. Sensational served with a Sparkling white or Chardonnay.
Suggested wine pairings: Chardonnay, Sparkling Whites, Rosé
CHRISTMAS IN JULY HAM RECIPES WITH MATCHING WINES
Nothing says Christmas more than a glazed ham, and this recipe is a treat. Any wine you’re looking to match with baked glazed ham has three things to contend with – the saltiness, the spice of the glaze, and the fat content. A fruity, lighter-bodied yet flavoursome red wine makes a sensational pairing in this regard, and Grenache’s fruit characters, velvety mouthfeel, and gentle tannin harmony make it an excellent choice to pour alongside your Christmas in July ham.
Suggested wine pairings: Grenache, light to medium bodied Shiraz, Pinot Noir
CHRISTMAS IN JULY ROAST BEEF RECIPE WITH MATCHING WINES
Nothing says winter like rare roast beef, mashed potato and vegetables. Treat the meat lovers in your family with a substantial and tender standing rib roast with champ and carrots. A savoury, spicy and smooth Shiraz makes a perfect pairing.
Suggested wine pairings: Shiraz, Merlot, Malbec, Tempranillo
CHRISTMAS IN JULY ROAST CHICKEN RECIPE WITH MATCHING WINES
Roast chicken is a staple at any Christmas table, and the flavours of this organic roast chicken are a real gift – especially when teamed up with a Chardonnay that delivers varietal fruit in harmony with classy oak, nutty complexity and intense limey acidity. There are few better matches with chicken.
Suggested wine pairings: Chardonnay, Marsanne, Marsanne Roussanne, Pinot Noir, Grenache
CHRISTMAS IN JULY ROAST DUCK RECIPE WITH MATCHING WINES
Why prepare numerous dishes when you can wrap up Christmas in July in one easy recipe – roast ruck with apples, roesti and green beans. And the perfect pairing – Pinot Noir of course. Or dabble in something different and try a Dolectto, it’s similar in weight.
Suggested wine pairings: Pinot Noir, Dolcetto, Gamay, Nebbiolo
CHRISTMAS IN JULY VEGETABLE RECIPES WITH MATCHING WINES
The French sure know a thing or two about taking humble ingredients and turning them into gustatory sensations, as demonstrated in this delicious potato gratin dish. The fragrant notes of garlic and thyme and the creamy texture of the gratin, means that a fuller-textured white like Pinot Gris or Fiano are great choices. A Christmas in July side-dish that’s sure to please.
Suggested wine pairings: Pinot Gris, Fiano
WHAT WINES PAIR WITH PUMPKIN?
Lydney Milan’s couscous stuffed pumpkin is a masterpiece in the centre of the table and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The sweetness of the pumpkin, dates, red onion and spices work wonderfully with a delicious range of wines including Marsanne and Pinot Noir.
Suggested wine pairings: Chardonnay, Marsanne Roussanne Viognier, Rosé, Pinot Noir, Merlot
WHAT WINES PAIR WITH CAULIFLOWER?
With cauliflower in season, Matthew Evans’ white wine steamed cauliflower is another popular and classic Christmas in July vegetable side-dish. Enjoy it with the wine you’re drinking with your main meal. Or as a vegetarian option, try mid-weight whites or lighter style reds.
Suggested wine pairings: Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
WHAT WINES PAIR WITH ASPARAGUS?
Troy Rhoades-Brown’s Asparagus and special butter is another elegant and delicious entrée dish guaranteed to be a Christmas in July success. Asparagus and Sauvignon Blanc are a classic pairing, so keep it simple, or mix things up a little and introduce your guests to an aromatic Grüner Veltliner.
Suggest wine matches: Sauvignon Blanc, Sparkling Whites, Grüner Veltliner
CHRISTMAS IN JULY DESSERT RECIPES WITH MATCHING WINES
For a truly Australian Christmas dessert look no further than Mark Olive’s baked wattle seed cheesecake.The classic cheesecake filling comes alive with the mildly roasted coffee, notes of sweet spice, chocolate and hazelnut aromatics from the seeds of our national flower. A taste sensation served with a Late Harvest Riesling or Botrytis Semillon.
Suggested wine pairings: Late Harvest Riesling, Botrytis Semillon
WHAT WINES PAIR WITH CHOCOLATE PUDDING?
Nothing is quite as sweet as a Christmas treat, and these warm chocolate puddings are more than worthy of your indulgence. Melted deliciously dark Lindt chocolate, port and crème fraiche? Yes please! If you’re looking for a great wine match for these puddings, look no further than a classic Aussie Muscat or Tawny. With their characteristic mouth-coating lusciousness, they’re a perfect pairing.
Suggested wine pairings: Muscat, Tawny
WHAT WINES PAIR WITH PAVLOVA?
You simply can’t celebrate Christmas in Australia without a pavlova. Lyndey Milan’s Festive Pav is perfect paired with Moscato, Late Harvest Riesling, or Botrytis Semillon. If you prefer a richer more winter-like version, you can substitute the summer fruits with lashings of dulce de leche, melted chocolate and crushed hazelnuts.
Suggested wine matches: Moscato, Late Harvest Riesling, Bortrytis Semillon
MULLED WINE RECIPE FOR CHRISTMAS IN JULY
Gather around the fire for a glass of mulled wine. A classic European Christmas treat, mulled wine or gluhwein is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a tasty tipple to create when you have a leftover opened red wine that needs to be finished.
Who said you can’t celebrate Christmas in July? Not us, that’s for sure – especially not with such rich and inspired food and wine combinations to experience and enjoy this winter. Do you have a favourite Christmas in July dish? Share it with your fellow wine lovers on our Facebook and Instagram pages… especially if you’ve decided to #pickaustralianwine to enjoy it with!