Wine for rice pudding – the sweet end to Christmas Eve
When Christmas dinner is over, and the risalamande is brought in with cherry sauce and anticipation, it requires a wine that can match the sweetness, richness and creamy texture of the dessert. Wine for risalamande is not just a choice – it is the finale of the entire Christmas meal. It should be round, sweet and harmonious, so that it both complements the taste of the risalamande and elevates the experience with fruit and freshness.
A well-chosen dessert wine ties it all together and gives the last part of the Christmas dinner a sense of balance and warmth.
Which wine goes well with rice salad?
The classic rice alamande with cherry sauce combines cream, rice, almonds and fruity sweetness. Therefore, the wine should have a clear hint of fruit, low acidity and rich sweetness so that it does not drown in the richness of the dessert.
A port wine – especially a Late Bottled Vintage or Tawny – is a safe choice. They have depth, warmth and notes of nuts, caramel and cherries that go perfectly with the rice salad.
If you want something lighter, a Moscato d'Asti from Piedmont is a great alternative. The low alcohol, fine bubbles and natural sweetness create a refreshing contrast to the rich dessert.
Another classic is Sauternes from Bordeaux – a golden dessert wine with aromas of honey, apricot and vanilla, which suits both the rice pudding and the cherry sauce.
Dessert wine for Christmas – sweetness, balance and harmony
Christmas desserts require something special. A good dessert wine for Christmas should not only be sweet – it should have balance. Too much sugar can make the experience heavy, but the right wine has freshness, acidity and fruit that make every mouthful feel light and lively.
That's why wines like Tokaji Aszú from Hungary, Beerenauslese from Germany or an elegant Vendanges Tardives from Alsace are also excellent choices for risalamande. They combine sweetness with finesse and a clear fruitiness that plays beautifully with the cherry sauce.
Wine for dessert – the final experience
When choosing wine for dessert , the rule of thumb is simple: the wine should always be at least as sweet as the dessert. Otherwise, it will seem sour and sharp in taste.
This is especially true for rice pudding, because the cherry sauce adds both fruit and acidity. A wine with ripe fruit and residual sweetness will highlight the freshness of the sauce while also emphasizing the creamy character of the rice pudding.
The perfect end to Christmas dinner
Wine for risalamande is not just about taste – it's about the atmosphere. It's the moment when calm sets in and Christmas really takes hold. A sweet wine in the glass, the scent of cherries and candles in the background.
Whether you choose port, Sauternes, Moscato or Tokaji, the right dessert wine helps complete the evening and create a memory that lasts long after the last spoonful has been eaten.
