Top Aussie Wines for the 2024 Holiday Table

The holiday season brings people together over delicious food, warm conversation, and, of course, exceptional wine. Australian wines offer a perfectly tuned range of options to complement the festive table, from spiced reds that pair with winter’s dishes to sparkling wines that add a celebratory moment to rich fortifieds that warm the soul.

Here’s a guide to the top Aussie wines guaranteed to elevate your holiday gatherings.

1. Sparkling Wines for Festive Cheers

Start your holiday celebrations on a high note by popping open an Australian sparkling wine. Though this may not be the style Australia is best known for, quite a few cooler climate regions produce traditional method sparkling wines that rival the best of Champagne–at a fraction of the price. Tasmania in particular is well-known for its sparkling wine, but don’t sleep on other regions that are approaching the style with success.

Perfect Pairing: Canapés, seafood towers, and charcuterie

2. Chiseled Chardonnay for Winter Seafood

Italians celebrate Christmas with the Feast of Seven Fishes–and an Australian chardonnay is a perfect pairing. Whether you're doing the full fish feast or just incorporating a few morsels into your holiday dinner, Australian chardonnay brings its balance of citrus freshness and creamy texture to match. Some hotspots for the grape in Australia include Margaret River, Gippsland, Yarra Valley, Adelaide Hills, and Macedon Ranges.

Perfect Pairing: Poached lobster, seared scallops, calamari, clams casino

3. Pinot Noir for Versatile Pairings

For a lighter red that still brings plenty of character, Australian pinot noir is a staple on the holiday table. Pinot noir is a cool-climate grape, so look for it from regions like Adelaide Hills, Gippsland, Macedon Ranges, Tasmania and Geelong. These top regions craft world-class pinot noirs that capture both the supple fruit and savory notes that make the grape so unforgettable.

Perfect Pairing: Roast duck, mushroom risotto, or cranberry-stuffed squash

4. Warm Grenache for Hearty Holiday Feasts

No holiday table is complete without a show-stopping red–though Australian shiraz is never a bad choice, give its neighbor grenache a shot. Not only are there hundreds of great old-vine grenache vineyards (including the oldest grenache vines in the world, planted in 1848!), but more and more thoughtful producers are approaching the grape. The best examples are broad and red-fruited, while also retaining a sense of freshness, a crushed herb quality, and floral notes.

Perfect Pairing: Herb-crusted prime rib or maple-glazed ham

5. Tawny or Rutherglen Muscat for Dessert Bliss

End your holiday meal on a sweet note with an Australian fortified wine. Fortified wines - wines ‘fortified’ with a spirit (like brandy) - are a specialty of Australia dating back hundreds of years. Either look to the Barossa for a rich, warming, and salty Tawny or head to Rutherglen in northern Victoria for a floral and piquant muscat. These wines punch well above their weight and are a great value for serious fortified wine.

Perfect Pairing: Crème brûlée, salted toffee, anything chocolate

Why Australian Wines Are Perfect for the Holidays

Australian wines bring versatility, bold flavors, and plenty of freshness to your holiday table. Whether you’re hosting a formal dinner or a casual family gathering, there’s an Aussie wine for every dish and occasion. Plus, with their approachable yet novel styles, these wines are a great talking point to impress your guests.

Stock up on these festive favorites and celebrate the vibrant spirit of Australian wine. Pair them with the gift of wine knowledge for an even more impressive one-two punch.