Staff Selections: Christmas Holiday Traditions

A few of our Staff members shared their favourite Christmas Holiday Traditions - Dinner Ideas and Wine pairings!

Christie Mavety & Jason Michiel

"Jason Michiel is the chef in our household and therefore I would like to add his input…Our tradition on Christmas eve is to have Cassoulet and pair it with a Beaujolais Cru, Daniel Bouland Morgon", Christie.

Recipe: Smoked Sausage Cassoulet

Wine pairing: Beaujolais Cru, Daniel Bouland Morgon

Ernst & Chantelle Bruwer

"Christmas in South Africa is in the middle of summer, so Christmas tradition would be to enjoy Cold Cuts - think Ham, Leg of Lamb and lots of salads for Christmas Eve or for Christmas lunch. Since we will be Celebrating Christmas in Canada this year, we will make a traditional South African Chicken Pie (Meraai se Paai), Roasted Potatoes and Veggies. Our wines of choice would be Hamilton Russel Chardonnay, Hemel en Aarde Valley, South Africa or Blue Mountain's Estate Chardonnay", Chantelle.

Recipe: Chicken Pie ("Meraai se Pie")

Wine pairing: Hamilton Russell Chardonnay or Blue Mountain Chardonnay

Julie and Roger Planiden

" A holiday tradition in our family is to have lobster for Christmas Eve (which happens to be my birthday) We always pair this with a rich buttery Chardonnay.  While Roger is preparing dinner we always enjoy a glass or two of bubble. Some of our favourite chardonnays are: MerSoleil, Rombauer, La Crema Chardonnay" , Julie

Bill Adams and Petra

"For many years this French Canadian classic was prepared by my Grandmother for our family dinner on Christmas Day, and it is a tradition that I still carry on. Chef David Lee has added venison for a slight twist, which provides a more “gamey” taste to compliment this rustic dish", Bill

Recipe: Venison and Pork Tourtière

Wine pairing: Blue Mountain Gamay Noir, Quails Gate Old Vines Foch Reserve or Pfaffenheim ‘Steinert’ Grand Cru Gewürztraminer

Do you have Holiday traditions? Feel free to share them in the comments section below. Happy Holidays!