Pairing wine with holiday foods

WHITES

Grape: Pinot Gris

The dirt: Light, delicate and fresh, in both taste and colour, Pinot Gris makes a great first-course wine.

Enjoy with: Green leafy salads or seafood such as prawns and oysters.

Grape: Sauvignon Blanc

The dirt: Very pale in colour with aromas of fresh-cut grass, grapefruit and citrus, Sauvignon Blanc is crisp, clean and refreshing. It also has notes of passion fruit, elderflower and gooseberries.

Enjoy with: Baked or broiled fish, seafood pastas or mild cheese, such as chevre.

Grape: Riesling

The dirt: This wine is typically a light golden colour and features citrus flavours with mineral notes and aromas of fresh-cut flowers and gentle spice. Its natural sweetness is offset by a fresh acidity and it's the quintessential food wine because it pairs well with many dishes.

Enjoy with: Roasted chicken or turkey, Asian cuisine (such as stir-fries) or lightly spiced seafood curries.

Grape: Chardonnay

The dirt: This golden coloured wine varies in flavour, depending on where the grapes are grown. Southern hemisphere examples (think Australia, South Africa, Chile) tend to taste of peaches and pears or tropical fruit like bananas, pineapple and mango while northern hemisphere (France, U.S.A., Canada) Chards exhibit notes of sweet citrus, honey and roasted nuts. Many Chardonnays feature aromas of peaches, pears, citrus and tropical fruits. Aging it in oak casks imparts spicy, vanilla aromas, making it one of the boldest whites.

Enjoy with: Rich foods, such as roasted turkey and pork, creamy pastas or salmon.