How to Pair Wine with Christmas Cookies

From company holiday parties to group cokkie exchanges to sitting around after a meal, pairing wine with Christmas cookies is a fun way to elevate your holiday treats! There are an almost infinite list of cookies, cakes, pies, and more that make this holiday season special, so I will only touch of the most popular onces I encounter. The key is to consider the flavors, textures, and sweetness levels of the cookies and match them with wines that complement or enhance those characteristics.

Here are some great pairings based on different types of Christmas cookies:

Gingerbread Cookies

Best Wine Pairing: Riesling (Off-dry or Spätlese)
Why it works: The warm spices of gingerbread (ginger, cinnamon, cloves) match beautifully with the fruity, honeyed sweetness of a slightly sweet Riesling. The wine’s acidity helps balance the richness and spice of the cookie, making for a refreshing and harmonious pairing.

Sugar Cookies

Best Wine Pairing: Prosecco or Champagne
Why it works: The light, buttery flavor of sugar cookies pairs wonderfully with the crisp, effervescent nature of sparkling wines. The bubbles and acidity refresh the palate, complementing the simplicity of sugar cookies without overpowering them. If you prefer a sweeter option, try a Demi-Sec Champagne.

Snickerdoodles

Best Wine Pairing: Gewürztraminer or Vouvray (Chenin Blanc)
Why it works: Snickerdoodles have a warm, cinnamon-sugar flavor that pairs well with aromatic wines like Gewürztraminer, which has notes of spice and floral aromas. Alternatively, Vouvray, a Chenin Blanc-based wine from the Loire Valley, offers enough acidity and a hint of sweetness to balance the sugary, cinnamon notes in the cookies.

Shortbread

Best Wine Pairing: Sauternes or Moscato d'Asti
Why it works: Shortbread’s rich, buttery texture pairs well with wines that have a slightly sweet profile but enough acidity to cut through the fat. Sauternes, with its honeyed and apricot flavors, complements the buttery richness of the shortbread, while Moscato d’Asti adds a light, fruity sweetness with a touch of effervescence.

Peppermint Bark

Best Wine Pairing: Brachetto d'Acqui or Zinfandel
Why it works: The combination of chocolate and peppermint in peppermint bark is wonderfully complemented by a fruity, slightly sparkling red like Brachetto d'Acqui, an Italian sweet wine that has berry flavors and a touch of effervescence. If you prefer a still red, a Zinfandel with its berry fruit and peppery finish works great with the rich chocolate and mint.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Best Wine Pairing: Port or Merlot
Why it works: The deep, comforting flavors of chocolate chip cookies (butter, chocolate, and brown sugar) pair well with the rich, slightly sweet profile of a Port, which has dark fruit flavors and a smooth, warming finish. For a lighter option, Merlot's soft tannins and notes of ripe fruit and chocolate can complement the cookies without overpowering them.

Pecan Tassies (Pecan Pie Cookies)

Best Wine Pairing: Late-Harvest Zinfandel or Sherry
Why it works: The nutty, caramelized flavors of pecan tassies are a perfect match for a rich, dessert-style wine like Late-Harvest Zinfandel, which has concentrated fruit flavors and a touch of sweetness that complements the nuts and caramel. Alternatively, a nutty Sherry (like Oloroso) enhances the toasted pecan flavor and adds complexity.

Cranberry Orange Cookies

Best Wine Pairing: Chardonnay (unoaked) or Prosecco
Why it works: The citrusy, tart cranberry flavor and zesty orange in these cookies pair well with an unoaked Chardonnay, which has bright acidity and citrusy fruit flavors. Alternatively, Prosecco, with its effervescence and light, fresh flavor, complements the bright, tart qualities of the cranberry-orange combo.

Linzer Cookies (Jam-filled Almond Cookies)

Best Wine Pairing: Riesling (Semi-dry or off-dry) or Pinot Noir
Why it works: The nutty, buttery texture of Linzer cookies and their fruit preserves (often raspberry or apricot) pair wonderfully with a slightly sweet, fruity wine like a semi-dry Riesling, which brings out the fruit flavors without being too sweet. Pinot Noir is also a great option, as its light body and fruity notes match the delicate nature of the cookie and its jam filling.

Buche de Noël (Yule Log)

Best Wine Pairing: Madeira or Vin Santo
Why it works: The rich, chocolatey, and sometimes spiced flavors of a Yule log (especially if it's filled with cream or ganache) pair well with fortified wines like Madeira, which has a complex, nutty sweetness, or Vin Santo, an Italian dessert wine with dried fruit and nutty flavors.

General Tips for Pairing Wine with Christmas Cookies:

Sweetness balance: Match the sweetness of the wine to the sweetness of the cookie. A wine that is too dry may clash with sweeter cookies, while a too-sweet wine could overwhelm delicate flavors.
Flavor compatibility: Consider the dominant flavor of the cookie (chocolate, spice, fruit, butter) and choose a wine that complements or enhances those notes.
Texture match: For rich, buttery cookies (like shortbread or pecan tassies), opt for fuller-bodied wines with enough body and richness to balance the fat. For lighter cookies, such as sugar or gingerbread cookies, a lighter, more refreshing wine like Prosecco or Pinot Noir works best.

Pairing wine with Christmas cookies is all about personal taste and finding a balance that enhances both the wine and the treats. Whether you're enjoying a glass of bubbly with sugar cookies or savoring a port with chocolate chip cookies, these pairings can make your holiday celebrations even more special!