Drink This with That: Holiday Deserts / DECEMBER

It’s time to ring the flavor bell on the Holidays with Classic Christmas Deserts from around the globe and the best wines to pair with them.

Classic Christmas Deserts & Wine Pairing Recommendations

Stollen

Stollen is a rich, dense German fruit bread traditionally enjoyed during the Christmas season. The classic oblong shape is filled with dried and candied fruits, nuts, spices, and marzipan. The final touch is a generous coating of melted butter and powdered sugar icing.

+ Sparkling Blanc de Blancs

+ Pedro Ximenez

+ Riesling

+ Gewurztraminer

Bûche De Noël (Yule Log)

The Bûche de Noel Yule Log looks like it was made by elves and wood sprites in a magical forest. This cocoa flavored sponge cake rolled with whipped cream is as festive as it is delicious. The fillings may vary but the log shape and woodland decoration is what transforms mere sponge cake into a cherished holiday tradition.

+ Sparkling Rosé

+ Pinot Gris

+ Zinfandel

+ Merlot

Classic French Croquembouche

Is there anything more awe inspiring than a towering croquembouche? French for “crunch in the mouth”, the croquembouche is a cone-shaped tower of cream puffs bound together by caramel and decorated with a web of caramel threads. Ooh la la!

+ Chardonay

+ Viognier

+ Pinot Noir

+ Gamy

Struffoli

Popular in Southern Italy, these small, fried dough balls are covered in honey, sugar, and sprinkles. My Sicilian grandmother made struffoli every Christmas. It looked fantastic with multi-colored candy sprinkles and the cookies arranged in a wreath shape. During a holiday trip to Sicily, I came across them in a bakery, and they were just as I remembered —sweet and light with a delightful crunch of nostalgia.

+ Moscato

+ Marsanne/Roussanne

+ Sparkling

+ Chardonnay

Pavlova

Named after Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, Pavlova is a meringue-based dessert with a crisp outer shell, a soft, marshmallow-like center, and a topping of whipped cream and fresh fruit. It’s a holiday favorite in Australia and New Zealand.

+ Sauvignon Blanc

+ Pinot Noir

+ Sparkling

+ Albariño

Holiday Cookie Pairings

Sugar cookies

+ Moscato d’Asti

+ Riesling

+ Sparkling Blanc de Noir

Gingerbread cookies

+ Gewürztraminer

+ Tawny Port

+ Mulled Wine

Shortbread cookies

+ Chardonnay

+ Sauvignon Blanc

+ Sparkling Rosé