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The best drink matches for Christmas entrées

Read time 5 Mins

Posted 21 Oct 2022

By
Mitch Parker

Kick off your holiday feast with a bright and fresh first course with equally bright and fresh drinks to match.

A fantastic first course is full of bright, fresh flavours that wake up the taste buds and set the tone for the rest of the meal. We’re talking zingy citrus, seasonal produce, and sweet summer seafood. No matter what you’re eating — entrée, starter, or just a cheeky pre-meal snack — we’ve got the drinks to match. Below, Wine Merchant Gabriella Rush from Dan Murphy’s Collingwood gave us the lowdown on her picks for entrée drink options and some delicious food matches to go along with them.

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Castelnau Champagne Brut Reserve with Grilled Prawns and Butter

“This beautiful Castelnau Champagne is spot on for grilled prawns brushed with butter. That’s going to enhance the wine’s creamy texture and bring out this slight peach sweetness to match with the sweetness of the prawns. It’s a Champagne from the heart of the Champagne region in France, which means you get amazing quality and excellent value. Absolutely cracking Champagne!”

Luxardo Aperitivo with an Orange and Fennel Salad

“Luxardo Aperitivo is an amaro, which is an Italian herbal liqueur with a bittersweet flavour. You can drink it on its  own as an aperitif served over ice with some soda water. Or it’s perfect with prosecco in a spritz style drink with some ice and a fresh orange wedge thrown in. It would pair beautifully with the zingy, crisp citrus flavours of an orange and fennel salad. Super refreshing!”

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Byron Bay Premium Lager with Salt and Pepper Calamari

“This is quite an easy-drinking beer that’s a real thirst quencher. It’s made in a lager style, which means it’s on the lighter side and great for enjoying all afternoon. Because it’s so refreshing it pairs really well with salty, crispy foods so some salt and pepper calamari would be my recommendation.”

Dominique Portet Single Vineyard Rosé with Watermelon and Feta Salad

“Dominique Portet is a Frenchman who set up in the Yarra Valley and now creates some beautiful wines like this single vineyard rosé. It has an amazing freshness and aromatics of strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, and a hint of rhubarb. A beautiful summer watermelon and feta salad would be so delicious alongside this one.”

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Fowles Wine Ladies Who Shoot Their Lunch Riesling with Prosciutto Wrapped Melon

“Riesling is such a good wine for food. This is a great one that has a bit more body and slightly sweeter citrus flavours like mandarin or kumquat. It would stand up really well against anything with chilli, but I think another great way is alongside some fresh rockmelon wrapped in prosciutto.
Shop related products
CastelnauChampagne Brut Reserve
Champagne Brut Reserve
Member Offer
$60 per bottle Non-Member: $64.99 each
 
Byron Bay BreweryPremium Lager Can 375mL
Premium Lager Can 375mL
$68.99 case (30)
 
LuxardoAperitivo 700mL
Aperitivo 700mL
$27.99 each
 
Dominique PortetSingle Vineyard Rosé
Single Vineyard Rosé
Member Offer
$38 per bottle Non-Member: $41.99 each
 
Fowles WineLadies Who Shoot Their Lunch Riesling
Ladies Who Shoot Their Lunch Riesling
Member Offer
$34 per bottle Non-Member: $37.99 each
 
Authour image
Mitch Parker Mitch Parker is Melbourne-based writer, editor and advocate for always sitting at the bar.
Tags
LearnLagerRoséFood pairingsWineRieslingLiqueursChristmasChampagne
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