With the festive season upon us here at Go Brazil we’re giving you a little taster of which Brazilian wines you might like to enjoy over Christmas and the New Year.
Recommendations include wines for drinking on their own, with meals and something sparkling to see in 2026!
The festive season is here – and we know that enjoying a glass or two of good wine is a key component of many people’s Christmas! Here are Go Brazil’s recommended Brazilian food and wine pairings, suitable for whatever you are eating or celebrating over the next few weeks.
The Best Brazilian Wine with Turkey…
It’s said that more than half of all Christmas diners in the UK enjoy turkey as their main meal. The Royal influence plays a part: King Henry VIII is widely credited as making the bird a popular festive choice, while Queen Victoria also endorsed this option. The size of the bird (usually much bigger than a chicken!) makes it ideal for large family gatherings; its meat is also quite lean.
Our recommendation for the best Brazilian wine to go with turkey would be the Allumé branded Pinot Noir from Pizzato, above, a light but juicy but red, which would not overwhelm the delicate flavours of what is usually a lightly-flavoured white meat.
The Don Guerino winery’s Reserva Pinot Noir, above left, is a great alternative, albeit fuller bodied. For white wine lovers, our subtly textured Alvarinho, also from Guerino, above centre, would work well, as would their Sinais-branded Sauvignon Blanc, above right.
…and Chicken…
Chicken is also enjoyed at Christmas dinner here in the UK because it is often a less expensive, quicker-cooking alternative to turkey, and a more manageable size for smaller families. Furthermore, some people find turkey too dry, whereas this is not usually the case with chicken.
Our medium-bodied Sinais Malbec, above left, is the perfect match for chicken dishes and is not barrel aged. However, if a red with a little more weight is required, either our ‘Vintage’ Malbec, above centre, or Cemento (a Malbec blend, above right,) would be ideal.
A lightly oaked Chardonnay from Don Guerino, above left, or Pizzato’s unoaked ‘Chardonnay de Chardonnays’, above right, are very decent options in the white wine category.
…and Roast Beef
Again, eating roast beef has its roots in the time of King Henry VIII, who often had the meat served at festive mediaeval banquets. It is valued for its juiciness, flavour, and ease of cooking – and of course has a very different texture to both chicken and turkey.
A heavier red is often appreciated with steak and other cuts of beef: our single varietal Tannat wines would all make suitable pairings, especially those (above, from left to right) from Pizzato, Don Guerino and Garibaldi.
Alternatively, you could go for the more premium Assinatura red blend (Shiraz, Malbec and Tannat) from Campos de Cima, above left, or the Vale da Pedra Shiraz from Guaspari, above right, which are both more complex, full bodied wines.
Other Christmas Meats
Other meats consumed at Christmas time (according to a recent YouGov survey of UK diners) include lamb (3%) and pork (3%). Goose and duck feature in just 2% and 1% of British Christmas meals, respectively.
Our most versatile red wines include the Sinais Merlot, left, and the Sinais Cabernet Sauvignon, centre: both are excellent ‘all-rounders’, pleasantly fruity, not barrel-aged, so suitable for pairing with most types of meat dishes (or to be drunk on their own!). Our Sinais Itálico Riesling, above right, falls into the same category and will be enjoyed by white wine drinkers.
The Best Brazilian Wine for Vegetarians
Increasing numbers of people in the UK are vegetarians – more than 3 million, or around 6% of the total population, at the last count – and clearly, none of the above ‘traditional’ dishes is an option. Nut roasts, tarts and pies, and vegetarian Wellington dishes are the most common substitutes on Christmas Day.
The vast majority of Go Brazil’s range is both vegetarian- and vegan-friendly. We stock around 70 labels but here are a few recommendations, not highlighted elsewhere, for those who do not eat meat:
Don Guerino’s ‘Vintage’ branded Torrontes, above left, is a light-bodied white wine which has a distinctive floral aroma, invoking lychee, elderflower or jasmine, with citrus notes on the palate. Enjoy well chilled on its own or perhaps with lightly spiced or oriental foods.
The Três Bocas red from Campos de Cima, above centre, is an unusual and intriguing blend (Tannat, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot), notable for its dark, rich, brambly fruit. Medium bodied, it was not aged in barrel. It goes well with strongly flavoured savoury dishes.
Our ‘Astral’ branded Traditional Method sparkler from Garibaldi, above right, is certified both organic and biodynamic. Produced from both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, this is a dry, lowish alcohol (11% Abv.) fizz which is ideal for celebrations!
The Best Brazilian Wine for Desserts
What may go well with your main course isn’t generally the best accompaniment for dessert – whether that’s Christmas pudding, or something lighter (or smaller) such as trifle, mince pies, Christmas fruit cake or chocolate Yule log.
One recommendation that stands out here is our sparkling sweet Moscato (Moscatel), left, a delicious light bubbly which goes perfectly with Christmas or chocolate puds, meringues or fruit tarts. Low in alcohol too! For something a little more serious, the Tannat Licoroso, right, a fortified red wine, similar to a red port but not as sweet, is another option.
The Best Brazilian Wine for Celebrations
Seeing in the New Year with a glass of bubbly is another time-honoured tradition, unlikely to disappear soon! And at Go Brazil we can help your celebrations go with a swing:
For celebrating and/or gifting at Christmas and New Year, our Traditional Method sparklers are the ‘go-to’ suggestion! Familia Geisse reputedly makes the finest fizz in Brazil, so any of their labels can be recommended. We have plenty of followers of their Amadeu Brut Rosé, above, but, for traditionalists, the longer-aged Extra Brut, or Blanc de Noirs, will not disappoint.
The Best Brazilian Food and Wine Pairings from Go Brazil
At Go Brazil we stock a comprehensive range of red, white and rose wines from this vast South American country. We also have sections on our website for sweet and sparkling wines, and for items on special offer. For those new to Brazilian wine we can recommend one of our mixed cases.
FAQS:
Q: Does Go Brazil have a minimum order?
A: Yes, our minimum order is four bottles, which may be mixed. You must be aged at least 18 to order from our website.
Q: How to pay?
A: We accept all major credit and debit cards, as well as PayPal. We offer free delivery in mainland England and Wales on all orders of £125 and above, otherwise a £13.99 charge applies. Free delivery is available to Scottish addresses with a G postcode, for orders of £175 and above, otherwise the charge is £18.49. For other postcodes in Scotland, N. Ireland & islands, please contact us for a quotation.
We deliver within 48-72 hours and, to keep costs down, use recycled cardboard boxes and no gift wrapping/packaging.
Q: What’s the latest recommended date to place your Go Brazil order to be sure of delivery in time for Christmas?
A: For Scotland, Northern Ireland and islands, please place your order by 15th December. For addresses in England and Wales, the recommended latest date is 19th December, although for certain postcodes this may be extended to 22nd. Please contact us if in any doubt: 07841 753515, email nicholas@gobrazilwines.com
