Four-Course Holiday Dinner with Sunstone Wine Pairings
The holiday season is in full swing, and party planning is on everyone’s mind! If you haven’t started planning your holiday dinner yet, don’t worry. We’ve created this specially curated four-course meal plan (plus a bonus dessert recipe!) with perfect wine pairings by Sunstone’s very own winemaker and trained chef, Brittany Rice, to save you time and money.
Each of these wines are available for purchase individually, but you can save over $60 by buying all four together. Bon appétit!
FIRST COURSE
Puréed Root Vegetable Soup with Beet & Dill
Paired with 2021 BRUT ROSÉ
Warm up your palate with soup as the starting course, paired with our newly-released 2021 Brut Rosé. This easy-to-make dish comes together with tender root vegetables which are pureed into a savory, thick, and velvety soup, and then simmered in a coconut cream-flavored broth. The crisp, vibrant aromas of stone fruit and butterscotch in the sparkling Brut Rosé perfectly complement the creamy richness of this soup to make the perfect start to your holiday meal.
Second COURSE
Blood Orange Ginger Chicken
Paired with 2021 SAUVIGNON BLANC
We chose this recipe pairing because the Winter citrus flavors in the dish are perfected by the light and refreshing acidity of our 2021 Sauvignon Blanc. The piquant freshness of the blood orange and savory juices in the chicken teases out the delicate tropical aromas and zesty character of the Sauvignon Blanc. The beautiful crimson hue of the blood oranges makes this dish almost too pretty to eat!
Third COURSE
Slow Cooked Bison Risotto Bites
Paired with 2020 GRENACHE
The nutty melted parmesan cheese in the risotto generously accents the spicy notes and red berry aromas in our 2020 Grenache and makes a perfect Winter-worthy course to add to your Holiday dinner table. Packed with robust flavor, the bison meat is first slow-roasted in a Dutch oven and then added to the center of creamy parmesan risotto balls. The succulent bites are then finished with a fresh cilantro aioli on top to create an irresistible orb of luscious and savory flavors enhanced by the Grenache.
FOURTH COURSE
SLOW COOKED LAMB SHANKS
Paired with 2019 SYRAH ESTATE
Serve the final dinner course with melt-in-your-mouth lamb shanks cooked in a homemade Winter vegetable and herbs stock, with a sautée of dried stone fruits and a fresh mint pesto drizzled on top. We cannot think of a better pairing for this dish than our award-winning Syrah. The playful and enticing aromas of red berries and spicy floral notes in the well-balanced bottling earned our 2019 Syrah Estate Editor’s Choice, and 91 Points by Wine Enthusiast. Impress your party guests and save the best for last!
Bonus Dessert Recipe!
Apple Cinnamon Viognier Crumble
Paired with 2021 Linda’s Estate Viognier
Wine and food pairing is not only a great experience for savory dishes but excellent for dessert as well. This recipe features Viognier and cinnamon-soaked apples baked with a brown butter crumble topping. Our 2021 Linda’s Estate Viognier presents lovely warm aromas of toasted almonds and fresh pear with an elegant floral finish that is perfect for the mellow sweetness of the apple crumble. Enjoy!