Festive Hosting Series EP4: Best Sparkling Wines for Christmas Lunch

When it comes to Christmas lunch, sparkling wines are a fantastic choice to add a festive touch to the meal. The lightness, bubbles, and hugely underrated versatility of sparkling wines make them ideal for pairing with many dishes typically served at a Christmas lunch. Whether you’re a fan of poached eggs and smoked salmon, bacon muffins, or even sweet pastries and fruit, there’s a sparkling wine out there for you.

Why Sparkling Wine for Christmas Lunch?

Sparkling wines are synonymous with celebrations, especially at this festive time. The refreshing acidity, bright flavours, and lifting bubbles seem to put all in a celebratory mood.

When it comes to food pairing, the bubbles in sparkling wine naturally enhance the flavours of food and add an extra layer of complexity to what’s going on in your mouth. The range of wines available, from bone-dry to sweet, and the variety of styles means you can find options that suit nearly every dish and taste.

1. Champagne: The Classic Choice

Champagne is the ultimate sparkling wine for festive occasions. Most commonly made from a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, this most famous region of North-Eastern France is known for wines of complex flavours, creamy textures, and crisp acidity. It’s a luxurious option for Christmas lunch and can pair well with both savoury and sweet dishes.

Brut Champagnes

They are dry and crisp, often with notes of green apple, citrus, and brioche. These wines can pair wonderfully with smoked salmon, eggs benedict, and oysters. For the ultimate decadence, pair it with Cheese and Bacon muffins on Christmas morning.

Our Pick: Billecart Salmon, Brut Reserve
A classic favourite for many!

Rosé Champagnes

A beautiful festive choice. The berry aromas, the hint of floral notes, and the delicate blush colour can elevate many dishes from a simple Christmas dessert or fruit platter to creamy dishes and pastries.

Our Pick: Bruno Paillard Rosé Première Cuvée

2. Prosecco: Fruity and Affordable

Prosecco, a region in Italy’s North-Eastern Veneto, produces Italy’s most famous sparkling wine. The tank method of production, compared to the traditional method, often makes it more affordable than Champagne while still being delicious and versatile.

Made primarily from the Glera grape, Prosecco is known for its fruity and floral flavours, and its light, refreshing bubbles. It’s also available in a range of sweetness levels, most commonly brut (dry), but also available in extra dry (medium dry) to dry (medium sweet) styles.

Brut Prosecco 

A drier style, with flavours of green apple, pear, and citrus. It’s great with lighter brunch options, such as fresh fruit, salads, and vegetable dishes.

Our Pick: Bresolin, Extra Brut Organic Prosecco

Extra Dry Prosecco

It has a slightly sweeter profile, making it a great match for pastries, French toast, or anything with a touch of sweetness.

Our Pick: Molmenti & Celot, Extra Dry Processo

3. English Sparkling Wine: The New Luxury Bubbles

English sparkling wines are becoming a festive favourite for Christmas celebrations. Known for their crisp acidity and elegance, these wines rival some of the best Champagnes, thanks to England’s cool climate and chalky soils, similar to those in the Champagne region.

English vineyards primarily use classic Champagne grapes—Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier—creating wines with notes of green apple, citrus, and delicate brioche. A glass of English sparkling wine brings a touch of local luxury to holiday gatherings.

Our Pick: Tickerage Blanc de Blanc
This English Chardonnay is on with lees for 8 years, resulting in rich mouthfeel and touch of savoury note, great with smoked salmon and matured cheese.

4. Spain’s Sparkling Gem: Cava

Cava is Spain’s premier sparkling wine, traditionally made using the same method (the traditional method) as Champagne, which gives it a similar complexity and creamy texture. However, it’s often more affordable than Champagne, making it a great option for those looking to enjoy quality sparkling wine without the hefty price tag.

Brut Cava

They are crisp and dry with flavours of apple, lemon, and almond. It’s a versatile choice that pairs well with seafood, scrambled eggs, and light appetizers. Brut Cava is an excellent choice for those who enjoy the complexity of Champagne but want a more budget-friendly alternative.

Rosé Cava

 Rosé Cava has a lovely pink hue and hints of red berries, which make it festive and perfect for Christmas lunch. It pairs well with cured meats, berry pastries, and soft cheeses.

5. Crémant: The Affordable French Alternative to Champagne

Crémant is a sparkling wine from various regions in France, made in the traditional method like Champagne, but often at a more accessible price point due to less restrictive ageing rules. Crémant can be made with different grape varieties depending on the region.

Crémant de Bourgogne

Typically made with Chardonnay or Aligoté, Crémant de Bourgogne has flavors of apple, pear, and honey. Its crisp acidity makes it a great pairing for cheese-based dishes and savoury pastries.

Our Pick: Charly Nicolle, Crémant de Bourgogne, Brut NV 

Crémant d’Alsace

This is often made from Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, or Riesling, offering a floral, fruity profile with a dry finish. It pairs well with dishes like quiche, seafood, and fresh salads.

Our Pick: Justin Boxler, Crémant D’Alsace, Brut NV 

6. Sparkling Rosé: The Perfect Lunch Wine

Sparkling Rosé wines, whether from Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, or another region, are especially festive and versatile for Christmas lunch. Their vibrant colours can add even more festive cheer, and their bright acidity and a hint of fruitiness complement sweet and savoury dishes.

7. Pet-Nat Wines: The fun one among all

Pet Nat or “Pétillant Naturel,” are naturally sparkling wines with a rustic, fruity character, ideal for a lively Christmas lunch. They usually have a fabulous mix of refreshing acidity and slightly funky and vibrant flavours.

More about Pet Nat in our blog post: “Pet who? Your 101 Guide to Pétillant Naturel” 

A crisp white or rosé Pet Nat with seafood starters like smoked salmon or oysters can complement their briny freshness. For heartier main courses like roasted turkey or pork, a red Pet Nat offers juicy, earthy notes that stand up to robust flavours without overpowering. These wines bring a relaxed, playful edge to holiday dining.

Our Pick: Saint Olive ‘Tra-Bulles’ Pet Nat, Lyon, France

Final Thoughts on Sparkling Wines this Festive Season

Whether you’ve decided to go for the classic sophistication of Champagne, or the bright fruitiness of Prosecco, there are sparkling wines to suit every dish and taste preference, and experimenting with different styles can help explore new flavours.

For a show-stopping impression, magnums are an excellent choice, not only for their dramatic presentation but also for their enhanced ageing potential, especially for Champagne!

Next in our Festive Hosting Series: Wines and Christmas Traditional Dishes

This Blog post is written by Mike Turner
Freelance wine writer, presenter and judge

Mike is a regular contributor for The Buyer magazine and is a certified educator and ambassador for Bordeaux, Rioja, Ribera Del Duero, Barolo and Barbaresco, running trade and consumer events across the UK from his base in the East Midlands.