Winning wines

THE FOOD
If the ‘red wine to red meat' rule isn't necessary to follow, how do you decide on the right wine for your holiday meal? Consider the taste, texture, flavour and intensity of the wine and food, then match or contrast. James and Kenji suggest the following:

Turkey: While white meat tends to be on the drier side – an off-dry Riesling can counteract that – it is also of neutral flavour, so it's best to match your wine to the tastier side dishes.

Cranberry sauce: Riesling also goes well with the ruby-red dish, but be sure to add some of the wine to the recipe to cut the cranberry's tartness.

Mashed potatoes and gravy: In the whites, go for the versatile Chardonnay. In the reds, try a fruity wine such as Grenache, Gamay or Pinot Noir.

Potato latkes: A slightly more acidic wine, like a Sauvignon Blanc, works well with greasier foods.

Hors d'oeuvres: These appetizers are meant to be consumed slowly and so should your beverage. Opt for a sipper like sherry, meant to cleanse the palate.

Cheeses: For creamy cheeses like Brie, try a lightly oaked Chardonnay. Camembert goes well with Merlot, blue cheese with Sémillon, and hard cheeses deserve a heavier wine, like Merlot or Shiraz.

The picks
Still can't decide? There's no shame in asking the staff at your local liquor store -- just give them a rundown of your menu. Then all you have to do is calculate how many bottles to have on hand (allocate half a bottle per guest, which equals about two glasses per person). If all else fails -- reach for the bubbly. “Champagne pairs really nicely with anything you make,” says Kenji. “You can pair it with scrambled eggs!” So, if you can't cook well, at least you can drink well.

James and Kenji's suggestions (prices are from Ontario's LCBO):

THE WHITES
Fazi-Battaglia Verdicchio, Italy, $10.65
Sumac Ridge Gewuürztraminer, BC, /B.C./ $12.95
Nino Franco Prosecco Brut, Italy, $16.95
Segura Viudas Aria Estate Brut Cava, Spain, $14.95
Lanthieri Sauvignon Zemono, Slovenia, $12.80

THE REDS
Chateau St. Germain Bordeaux, France, $14.95
Wynns Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia, $18.95
La Vieille Ferme Côtes du Ventoux, organic wine, France, $9.95
Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva, Chile $11.95
Henry Pelham Gamay, Ontario, $12.95
Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva, Spain, $16.95

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