Discover New Festive Wines this Christmas Season at The Pem
Check out our fabulous festive wine list here at The Pem restaurant at Conrad London St James, and see how we pair each course of our delicious Christmas menu with beautiful festive wines for the ultimate festive experience.
The Pem’s Exquisite Christmas Wine List Unveiled
These are the top wine picks from Sally Abé, Consultant Chef at The Pem, who has created an array of stunning Christmas dishes specially for Christmas Day here at the restaurant, which features all your festive food favourites for an unforgettable Christmas dining experience in London.
“Whilst I’m all for tradition in Christmas food, when it comes to festive wines, this time of year is perfect to make a new discovery to bring something special to the table, and I’ve got some great ideas for red and white wines, and even a sherry, that pair beautifully with our seasonal menu,” says Sally.
First dish on The Pem’s Christmas menu this year is a ‘Dorset Lobster Cocktail’. “With seafood of any kind, you don’t want to overwhelm the delicate flavour, so the Gerard Tremblay Chablis 1er Cru ‘Côte de Lechet’ – Bourgogne, France 2020 would be perfect. Or go for any good Chablis, or a fine white Burgundy.
“Then we’re serving Honey Glazed Saddleback Ham with Wiltshire truffle, St. Ewe rich yolk and tarragon, and with this I would serve a bright, fruity red wine, like our Viano Vineyards Zinfandel – Contra Costa, USA 2016,” says Sally.
For the main course at The Pem, you can choose either ‘Shorthorn Beef Wellington’ or ‘Five Bird Ballotine with Pomme fondant, kalettes and cranberry’. “For the Beef Wellington a good red Burgundy will be perfect, and I’d go for Château de Fonbel Grand Cru – Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France 2016. For the Ballotine, you want to enhance the flavours of the game birds with a Pinot Noir; Bellvale ‘Quercus’ Pinot Noir – Victoria, Australia 2017 would be just the job.”
Indulgent Christmas Desserts and Their Sweet Wine Counterparts
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a Christmas Pudding or a Yule Log, and The Pem covers both of these options with its ‘Christmas Pudding Parfait’ and ‘Caramelia Yule Log’.
“The rule for wine with dessert is that you want it as sweet, if not sweeter than the dish you’re eating with it. A sweet Muscat wine is often served with Christmas Pudding, but I’d suggest the St Tamas ‘Mad’ Late Harvest 375ml – Tokaji, Hungary 2017 as it works so well with the clementine and brandy flavours. And for the Yule Log with flavours of cassis and chestnuts running through it, you could go for a cream sherry, a lovely festive treat, such as El Maestro Sierra Pedro Ximenez – Jerez, Spain NV,” says Sally.
Christmas at The Pem
The Christmas menu at The Pem is going to be very special, and even more delicious when paired with just the right festive wine from our extensive list which includes wines by the glass as well as by the bottle. The fantastic sommelier team will be more than happy to advise you on what to select, based on your personal preferences too. Whatever you’re drinking this year, have a wonderful festive season!