Christmas wine: what to buy and serve in Westford

The best Christmas wine is the one that fits your table: a sparkling bottle for the toast, a medium-bodied red for the main course and a crisp white for the start. All of it is on the shelf in the wine section at CBC Liquors, 142 Littleton Rd in Westford, and you can also pick up or have it delivered.

What wine goes with Christmas dinner?

Christmas dinner is rarely one dish, so rarely one wine. A simple plan covers most tables: something sparkling when people arrive, a white with the starter, and a red with the main.

If you are serving roast turkey, ham or chicken, you have a lot of freedom. Lighter reds and fuller whites both work. If the centrepiece is beef, lamb or prime rib, move toward a bigger red with more structure.

Buy by the guest list rather than by guesswork. A standard bottle pours about five glasses, so you can work out roughly how many bottles each course needs. Many hosts add one extra bottle of the red and one of the sparkling for the guests who stay late.

Which sparkling wine should you open for the toast?

Sparkling wine is the most traditional Christmas pour. Champagne comes from the Champagne region of France and is made with a second fermentation in the bottle. Brut means dry, which suits a toast and also goes well with salty appetizers.

At CBC Liquors we carry NICOLAS FEUILLATT Reserve Brut Champagne for anyone who wants the real thing. If you would rather have something lighter and fruitier, La Marca Prosecco is an Italian sparkling wine that is easy to pour for a crowd and works well with orange juice or as a base for a holiday spritz.

The full range is in sparkling wine. Chill the bottle for a few hours before serving, and open it gently so the cork sighs rather than pops.

What red wine suits a holiday roast?

Red wine with a roast is where most people spend their effort. Cabernet Sauvignon is the classic choice for beef: it has firm tannins that match rich, fatty meat. JOSH CELLAR Cabernet Sauvignon is one to look at, and you can browse more under Cabernet Sauvignon.

For turkey and ham, a softer red is usually more comfortable. Pinot Noir is light in body with red-fruit flavor and handles cranberry sauce and stuffing well. Merlot is another smooth option for guests who dislike anything sharp.

If you want one red that suits everybody, look at red blend bottles. 19 Crimes Snoop Cali Red is a California red that is easy for a mixed group. Open reds an hour before dinner, or pour them into a decanter or pitcher, to let them loosen up.

Which white wines work for Christmas?

White wine is useful at the start of the meal and for anyone avoiding red. Sauvignon Blanc is crisp and citrusy and goes with smoked salmon, goat cheese and shellfish. Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc fits that role, and there are more in Sauvignon Blanc.

If your guests like a rounder, richer white, Chardonnay is the answer. BUTTER Chardonnay is a style with a creamy texture that pairs with roast chicken, turkey and creamy side dishes. Serve whites cold but not icy, so the flavors still show.

For something off-dry, Riesling is a good match for spiced ham and sweet glazes.

What about rosé, dessert wine and something sweet?

Not everyone wants a dry bottle. Fruit and dessert wine can finish the meal alongside pie, fruit cake or cheese. Dessert wines are sweeter and richer, so a small pour is plenty.

Fortified wine, such as port, is a traditional after-dinner choice with nuts and blue cheese. Sangria is handy for a larger gathering where you want a pitcher on the table, and rosé is a flexible pour that sits between red and white.

For guests who are not drinking, the non-alcoholic section keeps everyone included at the toast.

How much Christmas wine should you buy?

A useful rule is one bottle for every two guests over a long dinner, then adjust for how long the party runs and what else you are serving. Add a bottle or two of sparkling if you are toasting with the whole table.

If you are hosting a larger open house, our party planner page is set up to help you think through quantities. For something bigger, the kegs page handles keg and special order requests.

Plan for water and food alongside the wine, and leave room for guests who are driving. Please drink responsibly.

Can you pick up or get Christmas wine delivered in Westford?

Yes. CBC Liquors offers in-store shopping, pickup and delivery, and also ships. The store is open Sunday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Pickup runs the same hours.

Delivery hours are Sunday 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM, Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM. We deliver to towns around Westford, including Chelmsford, Acton, Littleton, Lowell and Billerica. See the full list on the delivery areas page.

If you want to give wine as a present, gift cards are available too. Delivery and pickup require valid ID showing you are 21 or older.