What wines to drink with smoked salmon, foie gras and oysters at Christmas?

A ballet of flavours  

With Christmas fast approaching, it's time to plan an exceptional Christmas meal where every mouthful and every sip will be a celebration of the senses. Whether you've chosen smoked salmon, foie gras or oysters, every starter deserves to be enhanced by carefully chosen wines. Get ready to discover some surprising pairings and daring suggestions for a Christmas worthy of the greatest!

Smoked salmon, with its delicate texture and subtle aromas, pairs wonderfully with a dry white wine. Elegant choices such as Pouilly-Fumé or Sancerre, renowned for their elegance and freshness, provide the perfect subtlety to accompany the delicacy of the salmon. Pinot Gris from Alsace, with its fruity character and full texture, and Riesling, with its complex aromas, are also judicious choices. 

For a touch of originality, champagne is a refined option, especially when it's a 100% Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs. The delicate bubbles complement the finesse of the salmon with a touch of sparkle.

If you venture into dry whites, intriguing choices such as Pinot Gris, Châteauneuf, or a Burgundy like Meursault can accompany foie gras with elegance, avoiding any excess sugar.

The world of red wine is a privileged one, with grands crus such as Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, Margaux and Vosne-Romanée, whose complexity and power combine magically with the richness of foie gras. 

The art of Champagne requires special attention, so avoid overly sweet cuvées in favour of Blanc de Noirs or Blanc de Blancs Chardonnays, which bring an effervescent elegance to this gourmet combination.

For those who enjoy a unique experience, a yellow wine, such as a Château-Chalon or a ten-year-old Boilley, will reveal notes of aged fruit that will surprise and delight the most discerning palates.

The delicate flavours of a fresh oyster, with its smooth texture and iodised taste, blend perfectly with the richness and complexity of a Sauternes. This emblematic sweet wine from the Bordeaux region, with its balanced sweetness, creates a seductive combination with the saltiness and freshness of the oysters. The wine's acidity enhances the sea flavour of the oysters, while its roundness and smoothness coat the palate.

The delicate bubbles of a brut champagne or extra brut champagne add a festive dimension, echoing the liveliness of these marine delights.

The red wine option, although uncommon, reveals all its splendour in Bordeaux, where we see this daring combination. This pairing really comes into its own when the oysters are not very iodised. A red Bordeaux or a red Chinon can create a surprising combination, adding an earthy touch that goes surprisingly well with the delicacy of the oysters. 

Dare to be original!   

For a touch of originality at your Christmas dinner, dare to explore rare grape varieties that offer a unique and unexpected experience. Broaden your horizons by discovering less traditional wine-producing regions, such as Lebanon, Greece or Georgia, where surprising wines can add a whole new dimension to your feast. These bold suggestions are sure to stimulate your guests' palates and make your Christmas celebration a memorable one. Happy wine tasting!