Wine Pairings for Christmas Pudding: With Sweet and Fortified Wines

Christmas pudding is a cherished holiday tradition in Ireland. Packed with dried fruits, spices, and brandy, this rich dessert calls for a wine that can match its bold flavours.

Why Christmas Pudding Needs Special Consideration

Pairing wine with Christmas pudding can be tricky because the dessert is so complex. The dried fruits bring a lot of sweetness, the spices add warmth, and the brandy or whiskey gives it depth. Wines that work with lighter desserts usually aren't intense enough for this one.

The key is to choose a wine that's sweeter than the pudding. Otherwise, the wine can end up tasting thin or even sour.

Fortified Wines: The Classic Choice

Pedro Ximénez Sherry This intensely sweet Pedro Ximénez Sherry is an intensely sweet, syrupy wine from southern Spain that reflects the dried fruit profile of Christmas pudding. It exhibits flavours of raisins, figs, coffee, and dark chocolate. The natural sweetness, derived from sun-dried grapes, provides sufficient concentration to complement the dessert's richness. This wine may be served alongside the pudding or poured over it. 10 or 20-year-old expressions bring nutty, caramel notes that complement the pudding's toasted flavours. The extended barrel ageing softens the wine's edges while building complexity. Look for notes of dried apricot, hazelnut, and butterscotch.

Bual and Malmsey Madeiras are especially versatile. Their unique production, which involves heat and oxidation, gives them caramel and nutty flavours along with bright acidity. This helps balance the richness of the Christmas pudding. Another bonus: Madeira keeps well after opening, so you can enjoy it over time.

Sweet Wine Alternatives

Late harvest Riesling from Germany or Austria is a lighter option with less alcohol. It has a honeyed sweetness and bright acidity, so it never feels too sugary. You'll also notice stone fruit and floral notes that add a nice contrast to the pudding.

Tokaji Aszú This Hungarian treasure offers marmalade, apricot, and honeycomb flavours with sufficient sweetness (look for 5 or 6 puttonyos levels) to match the pudding. The wine's natural acidity keeps each mouthful lively.

Practical Pairing Tips

Serving wine a little chilled, even fortified types, makes it taste fresher. If you're adding brandy butter or cream to the pudding, you can pick a wine that's not quite as sweet, since the extra richness helps balance things out.

Because Christmas pudding is so rich, it's best to serve small portions. A modest wine pour of about 75 millilitres is usually just right.

Questions to Consider

The best wine pairing depends on your pudding recipe. If you make your own and add extra spice, port can be a great match. Store-bought puddings with lots of fruit often go better with Pedro Ximénez sherry.

How you serve the pudding matters too. If you flambé it for a dramatic touch, Pedro Ximénez sherry poured over the top works well. If you serve it with cream or custard, Madeira's clean finish might be a better choice.

The right wine transforms Christmas pudding from a worthy tradition into a memorable course. The key is finding that balance between sweetness, weight, and complementary flavours that makes each bite and sip better than the last.

Is there something else you'd like to know about pairing dessert wines or hosting at Christmas? Here are some common questions about wine and Christmas pudding.

Q: Can I serve red wine with Christmas pudding?

A: While red wine is a festive favourite, most are too dry or tannic for Christmas pudding. Opt for sweet fortified wines or dessert wines instead.

Q: What is the best wine to pour directly over the pudding?

A: Pedro Ximénez Sherry is a classic choice for pouring over pudding due to its syrupy sweetness and rich fruit flavours.

Q: Are there non-alcoholic alternatives for pairing?

A: Try pairing with spiced apple juice, non-alcoholic mulled wine, or a sweet, rich black tea for similar warmth and spice.

Q: Should the wine be served chilled or at room temperature?

A: Serve most sweet and fortified wines slightly chilled to enhance freshness and balance the dessert's richness.

Q: How much wine should I serve per person?

A: A small 75ml pour is usually perfect, as both Christmas pudding and these wines are rich and flavorful.