Jouluruoka ja viinit

Finnish Christmas dinner is a lively tradition and the easy thing about it is that the meals are always the same. However the mix of fish and meat, potatoes, beetroot and the different “laatikko” makes it difficult to match one single wine on everything. I decided (a bit late) to provide you with my recommendations.

First of all, you might be interested to know that I tasted all the wine I suggest. Second, they all come from Alko general list and you can check their availability on Alko internet site. Third, remember that to enjoy wine, you need good glasses, good temperature and to pay attention not only to the taste but also to the smell.

I picked 20 wines that would fit the Christmas menu. In order you will find one champagne, 9 red wines and 10 white wines.

Here is a link to download a PDF
version: Jouluviinit

These wines have indeed very different style. However, in their own way, they should perfectly fit the purpose. Of course some other possibility exists.

To match the whole dinner with one single wine, aim at the Champagne or a white wine. White will fit both fish and meat such as pork and turkey. On the contrary, red will be a bit strong for fish. Or pick a red but avoid drinking it with the fish.

For more precision, I will write down which wine would even better fit some specific meals.

With graavilohi or kylmäsavulohi : 1, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19

With savulohi : 1, 11, 12, 14, 17, 20

With rosolli : 11, 14, 17

With joulukinkku and porkkanalaatikko, lanttulaatikko, maksalaatikko : 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 20

A few extra things:

Red Nro 7: has to be opened (you just open and leave the bottle like this) 5 hours before the dinner.

White Nro 11 and 16: will be better if you open them in the morning, then recork and put back in the fridge.

White Nro 14: is far too young (my advise is too buy it for next year), you have to open it 48h before, then leave it opened 10 min, then recork and put back in the fridge.

As a conculsion, I am sure some of you wonder what would I pick if it was for me?

I would serve the fish and rosolli separately first and then the meat. I would then pick :

1- Jacquesson Champagne 734 which is one of the very best champagne for this price. (Nro 1)

2- Malat Riesling Kellergarten 2008 a very good and elegant wine. (Nro 11)

3- Caliterra Tributo Pinot Noir 2009 which is a surprisingly powerful and yet balanced Pinot
Noir, the best I tasted from Chile. (Nro 6)

I hoped this helped you!

Hyvää Joulua

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