Looking for wines to serve on New Year's Eve? Try one of our recommended wines for a festive way to ring in the new year!
As the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve, it's customary to raise a toast to new beginnings and bid farewell to the year gone by. Choosing the perfect wines to serve on this celebratory occasion can elevate the festivities and delight your guests' palates.
Whether you're hosting an intimate gathering or a lively party, selecting the right wines requires careful consideration. From sparkling options to rich reds, the choices abound.
Jump to:
- How to choose the best wines to serve on New Year's Eve
- How to choose the right sparkling wine
- Selecting brut and brut rosé wines for New Year's Eve
- Prosecco wine
- Best red wine for New Year's Eve celebrations
- Best dry white wine to serve at New Year's Eve
- Festive sparkling wine cocktails
- Check out our food & wine pairing guides
How to choose the best wines to serve on New Year's Eve
Here are the top five things to consider when selecting wines for your New Year's Eve celebration:
1. Occasion and Setting:
- Consider the ambiance and formality of your event. Is it a casual gathering or a formal dinner party?
- Choose wines that complement the mood and setting. Sparkling wines are ideal for toasting at midnight, while versatile options like Chardonnay or Pinot Noir can suit various settings.
2. Pairing with Food:
- Plan your wine selection around the menu. Ensure that the wines enhance the flavors of the dishes being served.
- Opt for versatile wines that pair well with a range of foods, such as Champagne, Rosé, or Sauvignon Blanc.
3. Guest Preferences:
- Take into account the preferences of your guests. Are they wine aficionados with specific tastes, or do they prefer lighter, easy-drinking options?
- Offer a diverse selection to accommodate different preferences, including both red and white wines, as well as sparkling and still options.
4. Budget Considerations:
- Set a budget for your wine selection and explore options that offer the best value within your price range.
- Look for affordable alternatives to well-known brands or consider purchasing wines in bulk for better deals.
5. Theme and Creativity:
- Embrace a theme for your New Year's Eve celebration and select wines that align with it. Whether it's a vintage-inspired soirée or a modern twist on tradition, let the theme guide your wine choices.
- Get creative with wine pairings by incorporating festive cocktails or themed wine cocktails to add flair to your celebration.
By considering these key factors, you can curate a memorable selection of wines that will elevate your New Year's Eve festivities and leave a lasting impression on your guests. Cheers to a joyous celebration filled with good company and great wines!
How to choose the right sparkling wine
When choosing a sparkling wine, there are several key factors to consider to ensure you select the perfect bottle for your occasion:
1. Origin and Production Method:
- Explore different regions known for producing high-quality sparkling wines, such as Champagne (France), Prosecco (Italy), Cava (Spain), or sparkling wines from other regions around the world.
- Understand the production method used. Traditional method sparkling wines undergo a secondary fermentation in the bottle, resulting in finer bubbles and complex flavors, while tank method sparkling wines are typically more fruit-forward and approachable.
2. Sweetness Level:
- Determine the sweetness level that best suits your preferences and the occasion. Sparkling wines range from bone-dry (Brut Nature/Extra Brut) to sweet (Demi-Sec/Doux).
- Consider the sweetness of your food pairings and whether you prefer a crisp, dry finish or a slightly sweeter taste profile.
3. Bubbles and Mouthfeel:
- Assess the size, persistence, and effervescence of the bubbles. Finer bubbles often indicate higher quality and a more elegant mouthfeel.
- Pay attention to the texture and mouthfeel of the wine. A well-made sparkling wine should feel creamy and lively on the palate.
4. Flavor Profile:
- Explore the flavor profile of the sparkling wine, which can vary depending on the grape varietals used and the winemaking techniques employed.
- Look for tasting notes such as citrus, green apple, pear, floral, toasty, or nutty characteristics, which can add complexity and depth to the wine.
5. Price and Value:
- Set a budget and explore options that offer the best value within your price range. While Champagne is often associated with luxury, there are excellent sparkling wines available at various price points.
- Consider the occasion and whether you're looking for an everyday sparkling wine or a special bottle for a celebratory event.
6. Brand Reputation and Reviews:
- Research the reputation of the producer and read reviews from trusted sources or wine enthusiasts. Established Champagne houses and renowned sparkling wine producers often maintain high quality and consistency.
- Seek recommendations from friends, sommeliers, or wine professionals who can offer personalized guidance based on your preferences.
Selecting brut and brut rosé wines for New Year's Eve
Brut and Brut Rosé wines are superb choices for New Year's Eve celebrations due to their versatile appeal and celebratory nature.
These wines are characterized by their dryness, which is balanced by vibrant acidity and effervescence, resulting in a refreshing and crisp taste profile. The Brut style, in particular, offers a clean and elegant palate that pairs seamlessly with a wide array of foods, making it suitable for everything from appetizers to main courses.
Meanwhile, Brut Rosé wines add a delightful touch of color and fruitiness, with notes of red berries and citrus, enhancing the festive ambiance of the occasion. Their versatility allows them to be enjoyed on their own as an aperitif or paired with a variety of dishes throughout the evening.
Whether toasting at midnight or savoring throughout the festivities, Brut and Brut Rosé wines bring a sense of sophistication and joy to any New Year's Eve gathering.
Prosecco wine
Prosecco is an excellent choice to serve on New Year's Eve for several reasons. Firstly, its light and refreshing character with delicate bubbles makes it incredibly easy to drink, appealing to a wide range of palates. Its affordability relative to other sparkling wines like Champagne also makes it an attractive option for large gatherings or parties.
Additionally, Prosecco's fruity and floral aromas, often reminiscent of apple, pear, and citrus, evoke a sense of celebration and brightness, perfectly suited to the festive atmosphere of New Year's Eve.
Whether served as an aperitif or paired with appetizers, Prosecco's versatility and approachability ensure that it can effortlessly complement various cuisines and occasions, adding a touch of elegance and joy to the festivities.
Best red wine for New Year's Eve celebrations
Selecting the best red wine to serve on New Year's Eve depends on personal preferences, food pairings, and the overall ambiance of the celebration. However, a popular choice is a versatile and elegant Pinot Noir.
Pinot Noir's medium-bodied profile, balanced acidity, and smooth tannins make it a crowd-pleaser that pairs well with a wide range of dishes, from roasted poultry and pork to vegetarian options like mushroom dishes. Its red fruit flavors, such as cherry and raspberry, often accompanied by earthy undertones, add complexity and depth to the wine, making it suitable for both casual gatherings and formal dinner parties.
Additionally, Pinot Noir's ability to age gracefully allows for the enjoyment of older vintages, adding a sense of sophistication to the New Year's Eve festivities. Whether served as a standalone wine or as part of a carefully curated selection, Pinot Noir is sure to impress guests and elevate the celebration with its charm and versatility.
Pairs well with: roast chicken or turkey, pork, salmon, mushrooms.
Best dry white wine to serve at New Year's Eve
Determining the "best" dry white wine to serve on New Year's Eve can be subjective and depends on personal preferences, food pairings, and the overall atmosphere of the event. However, one popular choice is Sauvignon Blanc.
Known for its vibrant acidity, crispness, and refreshing citrus and tropical fruit flavors, Sauvignon Blanc is a versatile option that complements a variety of appetizers, seafood dishes, and salads often enjoyed during New Year's Eve celebrations. Its lively character and zesty aromas evoke a sense of freshness and anticipation, perfectly matching the festive spirit of the occasion.
Additionally, Sauvignon Blanc's wide availability and affordability make it accessible to a range of wine enthusiasts, ensuring that it can be enjoyed by all amidst the revelry of ringing in the New Year.
Pairs well with: seafood, salads, light vegetarian dishes, Asian food.
🍷 Have you tried one or more of the wine & food pairings listed here? If so, leave a comment below and let us know how they paired together!
kelsey says
great picks! i really like argyle and evolution!
http://www.ladiesinnavy.com
Kristina says
we love prosecco (and mimosas, and bellinis...); I will have to try that one!
Holly says
I would love a morning mimosa today! I like the idea of buying an Oregon-made wine like the Evolution. I will have to keep my eye out for it.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Holly, Evolution also comes in a dynamite new Sangiovese that I don't think is in stores yet, but you can get it at the Sokol Blosser tasting room.
Lindsay says
Just what I needed! Thanks for posting now to decide which one to buy!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Glad to help, Lindsay! Hope you enjoy your NYE bubbly!
Pech says
I realize I never blogged about it... but last New Year's day I was enjoying sherbert mimosas where you combine a few spoonfuls of sherbert into your glass and then pour in the sparkling! It also works with sorbet instead of sherbert
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
I love that combo! We make prosecco with popsicle sticks during the summer too, which I imagine would have a similar taste as the sorbet in bubbly. Such great combos!
Jenni says
Great choices! I'm a huge fan of sparkling and have been really enjoying the Argyle and Sokol lately.