A Bordeaux Christmas: Festive Food & Wine with Château George 7

‘Tis the season for great food, great friends, and, let’s be honest, wine decisions that sometimes seem harder than they should. From show-stopping dinners to game nights where the snacks matter more than the score, which wine should you choose for each occasion? Here are my festive pairing ideas to make these choices just a little easier. Whether you’re sipping George or going rogue, this guide will help you nail the perfect match and keep spirits bright (and glasses topped up) all season long.

The Spirit of the Season

The holidays call for generosity — of flavour, of company, and of spirit. If you’re hosting a candlelit festive feast or an unplanned drop-in, the right wines can help turn a sharing of food into a celebration.

Our white and red wines each bring something deliciously different to the table, and happily pair with most dishes you may be cooking up:

Château George 7 – elegant and complex, ripe black cherry, plum, liquorice a whisper of smokiness, sweet spice, and cedar. Complex yet velvety.

Prince de George 7 – George’s vibrant joyful sibling, brimming with fresh red and black fruit and a note of violet, finished with a flirtation of oak.

Château George 7 Blanc – texture and poise in a glass. Lees & oak during fermentation bring depth to its citrus, white peach and white flower.

Festive Pairing Suggestions

Aperitif or Drinks party

Ease into the festivities with wines that wake up the palate.  But if you are not drinking bubbles, what do you choose or offer guests? Reach for Château George 7 Blanc or Prince de George 7.

Both wines create a welcoming start with nibbles or starters - the Blanc because it is all elegance with flavour while Prince is simply liquid cheer:

• Smoked salmon blinis with crème fraîche & dill - the Blanc’s citrus notes make a lively combo.

• Goat cheese crostini with honey & thyme - perfect harmony with the Blanc’s stone fruit and texture or try our Goat's cheese dip.

• Smoked mackerel pâté on baby toasts – it has to be the Blanc.

• Oysters – do I even need to say Blanc? Freshness to balance the oyster creaminess.

• Brie & cranberry filo parcels – superb with Prince’s fruitiness.

• Sausage rolls & Prunes wrapped in bacon - Prince effortlessly counters their richness.

• Cauliflower dip (flavoursome & a change from hummus) – choose the Blanc because although cauliflower might call for red, the citrus in it murmurs Blanc.

• Herby chicken liver parfait – Prince is perfect (Ch George 7 works too!)

• Aubergine or Beef sliders - Prince again!

• Prawn & mango skewers – Blanc takes it – the mango echoes the rich fruitiness of the wine.

  
  

The Main Feast

Roast Turkey or Goose with chestnut or sage stuffing & all the trimmings

Château George 7 will likely be the perfect choice for the majority of those around the table: layered, oak-kissed complexity, a perfect combination with roasted poultry and many side vegetable dishes. Indulgent but balanced, the best kind of dinner guest.

The OR de George Royal Reserve also deserves centre-stage if you are pushing the boat out: concentrated, rich, powerful and celebratory, perfect with the centrepiece – whether a roasted meat or an umami-rich vegetarian alternative.

Beef or Mushroom Wellington: Château George 7

For deep flavours and rich, pastry-wrapped dishes, Château George 7 shines. The structured palate and smoky touch embrace the savouriness of beef or a rich umami mushroom filling, while the plush fruit complements the buttery crust.

Herb-Crusted Salmon or Roast Sea Bass: Château George 7 Blanc. The wine’s bright acidity and rich texture complement the fish. The herb crust or a light citrus butter sauce echo the wine’s aromatics.

Festive Sides to Mix & Match

We normally pair the wine according to the centrepiece dish but sometimes it is worth thinking through the sides and sauces:

Dish	Best Pairing	Why It Works
Brussels sprouts with chestnuts	Château George 7	Nutty, roasted flavours meet the wine’s toasty oak complexity.
Roasted root veg with maple glaze & cracked pepper	Château George 7 (or Prince if served with roasted ham)	The bright fruit balances the sweetness and caramelized edges.
Truffled mashed potatoes	Château George 7	Earthy and luxurious which mirrors the wine’s sweet spice and smoky depth.
Braised red cabbage	Prince de George 7	And even better match with Prince if your side dish has apples and sweet spices
Cauliflower gratin	It depends!! White or Red!!	The creamy, savoury texture is complemented by the Blanc’s leesy roundness but Prince works too - cutting through the rich cheese.
Baked Stuffed Red Onions	Prince de George 7	A wild mushroom filling, sundried tomato and parmesan are lifted by Prince’s fruitiness
Wild rice and herb salad	Prince de George 7 or Ch George 7 Blanc	Both wines could work — if just herbs and rice then go white, if also have roasted veg, mushrooms etc then pick up Prince.

Relaxed Gatherings

Leftovers, grazing boards, casual lunches, and slightly chaotic sofa dinners deserve good wine too:

• Prince de George 7 with charcuterie, roasted ham, vegetable tarts, or mushroom pâté.

• Château George 7 with slow-cooked beef, truffled mushroom risotto

• Château George 7 Blanc with smoked fish, quiches, or salads with fresh herbs or fruity dressings.

Together, they offer something for everyone. And if you are doing a cheese board, don’t forget the chutney!

The holidays are a time for warmth, generosity, and moments shared around the table. Château George 7 wines capture that spirit in every glass: wines which are created with care and made to bring people together. As we raise a toast this holiday season, pour generously, savour slowly and celebrate. I will be raising a glass to you and to the joy of sharing.

Happy Festive Season from Château George 7.