Burgundy vs Bordeaux: Which Red Wine Is Best for Christmas Dinner?

If there’s just one occasion when wine deserves as much consideration as the menu, it’s Christmas. And when choosing a fine French red for the festive table, two of the world's greatest wine regions inevitably come to mind: Burgundy and Bordeaux.

But which is the better Christmas wine?

The Burgundy vs Bordeaux debate is hardly new. These two celebrated regions have produced some of the world's most sought-after reds for centuries, yet their wines offer remarkably different expressions of French winemaking.

Made from 100% Pinot Noir, red Burgundy is renowned for finesse, aromatic complexity and freshness. Bordeaux, built principally around Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, offers greater structure, darker fruit and, frequently, more pronounced tannins.

But indisputable, both have their place at Christmas. The trick lies in knowing which wine works best with which traditional dish — from roast turkey and goose to beef Wellington, glazed ham and the Christmas cheeseboard.

Burgundy vs Bordeaux: Two Great French Red Wine Traditions

Before deciding which bottle to open, it’s worth considering what distinguishes these two regions.

Red Burgundy: The Elegance of Pinot Noir

Red Burgundy is overwhelmingly the preserve of Pinot Noir, a grape capable of producing wines of extraordinary fragrance, delicacy and complexity.

Its characteristic red-cherry, raspberry and strawberry fruit is often accompanied by floral aromas and, with maturity, the savoury nuances of woodland floor, truffle and mushroom.

The finest examples combine silky tannins with lively acidity, making them exceptionally versatile at the table.

But Burgundy's reputation for elegance shouldn’t be confused with a lack of substance. The great wines of Gevrey-Chambertin, Nuits-Saint-Georges and Pommard can possess considerable concentration and structure, while the Côte Chalonnaise produces beautifully expressive Pinot Noir at more approachable prices.

Red Bordeaux: Structure, Depth and Complexity

Bordeaux follows a different tradition, relying on blends of grape varieties rather than Pinot Noir alone.

On the Left Bank, Cabernet Sauvignon generally takes the lead, bringing blackcurrant fruit, structure and tannic backbone. On the Right Bank, Merlot is typically more prominent, contributing roundness, plum fruit and a softer texture.

Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and other permitted varieties add further aromatic and flavour complexities.

With bottle age, good Bordeaux develops the cedar, tobacco, leather and earthy aromas that make mature claret such a magnificent accompaniment to a traditional roast.

So, when considering Bordeaux vs Burgundy wine for Christmas, the distinction is less about which is objectively better and more about matching the wine's structure, weight and aromatic character to the food.

Which Wine Is Best with Christmas Turkey: Burgundy or Bordeaux?

For the traditional roast turkey, our preference would generally be red Burgundy.

Because when compared to roast beef leg of lamb, Turkey is delicate in flavour. Particularly the breast meat, which can easily be overwhelmed by a heavily structured claret. Whereas Pinot Noir's supple tannins, bright acidity and fragrant red fruit complement the bird without dominating it.

More importantly, Christmas dinner is rarely just about the turkey.

Roast potatoes, stuffing, pigs in blankets, bread sauce, cranberry sauce and rich gravy create a complicated collection of flavours and textures. Burgundy's freshness helps cut through the richness, while its fruit and savoury complexity make it particularly sympathetic to stuffing, mushrooms and roasted vegetables.

Two excellent choices from our range are:

• 2024 Rully La Chaume, Claudie Jobard – From 45-year-old vines in the Côte Chalonnaise, this beautifully expressive Pinot Noir combines bright, crunchy red fruit with a soft, fleshy texture. A lovely match for roast turkey and all the trimmings.

• 2022 Mercurey Rouge, Château de Chamirey – A richer, more generous expression of red Burgundy, with fleshy cherry fruit, silky texture and refreshing acidity. Particularly appealing with darker turkey meat, savoury stuffing and rich gravy.

A supple, Merlot-led Bordeaux can also work with turkey, particularly when the accompaniments are substantial, but Pinot Noir would be our first choice.

What Is the Best Red Wine for Christmas Goose or Duck?

Here again, Burgundy has a compelling case.

Goose and duck are considerably richer than turkey, with a higher fat content and more pronounced flavour. Pinot Noir's natural acidity provides a welcome counterpoint to that richness, while its red-fruit character works beautifully with traditional accompaniments such as red cabbage, beetroot, cherries and cranberry sauce.

For roast goose, a slightly fuller-bodied Burgundy such as Mercurey or Gevrey-Chambertin can be especially successful.

Duck breast, meanwhile, is a classic partner for mature red Burgundy, particularly where the wine has developed earthy, gamey or woodland aromas with age.

Bordeaux need not be excluded, especially with richer sauces, but Pinot Noir's combination of freshness and aromatic finesse makes it particularly well suited to festive poultry.

Burgundy or Bordeaux with Christmas Roast Beef?

Here’s where Bordeaux really comes into its own.

Roast beef, especially when served with Yorkshire pudding, rich gravy and all the traditional accompaniments, calls for a wine with greater structure and depth.

The tannins of Cabernet Sauvignon work particularly well with the protein and richness of beef, while Bordeaux's blackcurrant, cedar and savoury flavours provide a natural complement to the roasted meat.

For a classic Christmas roast, we would suggest:

• 2016 Château du Raux, Haut-Médoc – A beautifully balanced Left Bank claret, blending Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in equal proportions. With its blackcurrant fruit, cedar notes and the benefit of a decade's maturity, it makes a particularly convincing partner for roast beef.

Bordeaux is equally impressive alongside beef Wellington. The combination of fillet steak, mushroom duxelles and buttery pastry benefits from a wine with both structure and developed savoury complexity.

A fully mature Right Bank option would also be an excellent choice, as would an opulent Saint-Émilion, Pomerol or Margaux.

What About Christmas Ham and Other Festive Meats?

Glazed ham presents a slightly different challenge.

Its combination of salt, sweetness and sometimes spice can make firmly tannic reds seem rather austere. Here, a supple Pinot Noir is often preferable to a powerful Cabernet Sauvignon.

The red-fruit character of Burgundy complements the sweetness of a honey or marmalade glaze, while its acidity balances the richness of the pork.

For roast lamb, however, Bordeaux is difficult to beat. Cabernet Sauvignon's structure and savoury character work particularly well with lamb, especially when accompanied by rosemary, garlic and rich roasting juices.

For venison or other game, both regions have much to offer. Mature Burgundy brings aromatic finesse and earthy complexity, while mature Bordeaux provides greater depth and structure for more robust preparations.

Pinot Noir vs Cabernet Sauvignon: Which Works Best at Christmas?

The Pinot Noir vs Cabernet Sauvignon question becomes particularly interesting when considered in the context of Christmas food.

These are guiding principles rather than inflexible rules. The sauce, preparation and maturity of the wine can be every bit as important as the principal ingredient.

And while Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon represent the two traditions neatly, remember that Merlot-led Bordeaux often occupies a useful middle ground, offering generosity and softer tannins without sacrificing the character of classic claret.

Which Bordeaux Should You Choose for Christmas?

Not every Christmas meal calls for a grand, heavily structured Left Bank wine.

For those who prefer a softer, more immediately approachable style of Bordeaux, the2020 Petite Sirène de Giscours is a particularly attractive option.

Made by the team behind Château Giscours in Margaux, this Merlot-led Bordeaux combines spiced plum and black-cherry fruit with supple tannins.

Its generosity makes it a versatile festive red, equally comfortable with roast meats, hearty winter dishes and a selection of mature cheeses.

For a more traditional claret experience, particularly alongside beef or lamb, Château du Raux 2016 offers the additional appeal of bottle maturity.

Burgundy or Bordeaux with the Christmas Cheeseboard?

The cheeseboard is another occasion where both regions can shine, although the choice depends very much on the cheeses.

A mature red Burgundy is a wonderful partner for Brie, Camembert and other soft cheeses, particularly where earthy, mushroom-like flavours have developed in the wine.

Bordeaux is generally more comfortable with firmer, mature cheeses such as Cheddar, Comté and aged Gouda, whose concentrated flavours and richness can stand up to its tannins.

Blue cheeses, however, are another matter. Stilton's salt and pungency can clash with dry, tannic reds, which is why vintage Port or a sweet wine is often the more successful traditional Christmas pairing.

So, Burgundy or Bordeaux for Christmas?

There is no need to declare an outright winner.

Choose Burgundy if turkey, goose, duck or glazed ham is taking centre stage. Its elegance, freshness and supple tannins make it an exceptionally accommodating partner for the varied flavours of a traditional Christmas meal.

Choose Bordeaux for roast beef, lamb, beef Wellington and richer meat dishes. Its greater structure, dark fruit and savoury complexity are particularly rewarding with substantial festive fare.

A fine Burgundy alongside Christmas Day turkey and a mature Bordeaux with Boxing Day roast beef would be a splendid way to appreciate two of France's greatest red-wine traditions.

Explore our red Burgundy collection, discover our Left Bank Bordeaux and Right Bank Bordeaux, or browse our selection of mature Bordeaux.

Because at FromVineyardsDirect, we offer a carefully chosen selection of Burgundy and Bordeaux, from approachable, fruit-driven wines to mature bottles worthy of the most memorable festive occasions.

After all, it's Christmas. That's when, if asked which region we prefer here at FromVineyardsDirect, we'll always say... both!

— The FromVineyardsDirect Team