The menu is set, the shopping is done and the tablecloth is ironed. There’s just one question we always leave until the last minute: what do we serve in the glasses? A festive meal brings together very different dishes, and one bottle can’t go with them all. The good news: alcohol-free drinks offer a match for every course too. Let’s go through the menu together, from aperitif to dessert.
In short: lively fizz for the aperitif, a mineral white for seafood and fish, a rounder white for poultry, a structured red for red meat, and a sparkling rosé or fruity beer for dessert. Allow one bottle for every 4 to 5 glasses. Delivered within 72 hours.
The aperitif: fizz for raising a glass
Start the evening in style
Nothing gets a meal off to a better start than lively, refreshing fizz. L’Arjolle’s sparkling Viognier Sauvignon, our number-one fizz last Christmas, whets the appetite without overwhelming it. For a special occasion, try French Bloom’s White.
The perfect match: canapés, savoury bites served in glasses, aperitif snacks.
→ Explore our aperitif selection
Oysters, seafood and fish: a mineral white
Seafood calls for freshness
Oysters and seafood call for something lively. UBY’s Sauvignon Blanc 0%, fresh, citrusy and mineral, fits the bill. For scallops or fish in sauce, take it up a notch with Pierre Zéro Signature Chardonnay, with notes of citrus and brioche.
The perfect match: oysters, prawns, salmon, scallops.
→ Explore our seafood selection
Poultry: a rounder white
For turkey, capon or guinea fowl
Festive poultry pairs well with whites that have a little roundness. L’Arjolle’s white Viognier Sauvignon, floral and lively, or Petit Étoilé’s organic Chardonnay are perfect alongside it, as well as with roasted seasonal vegetables.
The perfect match: capon, turkey with chestnuts, roasted vegetables, gratin.
→ Explore our selection for poultry and other white meats
Red meat: a structured red
For roasts, game or slow-cooked dishes
Red meat calls for a wine with body. L’Arjolle’s Equinoxe Zéro Red, aged on wood, brings notes of candied fruit and spice. Moderato’s Red Merlot-Tannat offers lovely structure. Serve them at 16–18 °C.
The perfect match: roast beef, leg of lamb, game, mature cheeses.
→ Explore our selection for red meat
Dessert: rosé or fruit
A sweet finish
For a fruit dessert, sparkling rosé works wonders: Kisumé Rosé, low in sugar with notes of wild strawberry, or French Bloom’s Rosé. With chocolate, try a fruity beer such as the cherry-flavoured Kasteel Rouge 0.0%.
The perfect match: red berry yule log, citrus tart, chocolate fondant.
How many bottles should you allow?
A useful rule of thumb: one bottle serves 4 to 5 glasses. For a meal for eight, allow two bottles of fizz for the aperitif, one of white for the starter, two of red or white for the main course, and one of rosé for dessert.
💡 Our wine merchant’s tip: take the reds out of the fridge half an hour before sitting down to eat, and keep the fizz and whites chilled until the last moment.
You might also like
- Alcohol-free wine and food pairings: what to serve with what
- Alcohol-free white wine: the guide to choosing the right bottle
- Alcohol-free red wine: the guide to choosing the right bottle
Frequently asked questions
Which alcohol-free wine should you serve with oysters?
A lively, mineral white, such as UBY’s Sauvignon Blanc 0%, or a dry sparkling wine such as French Bloom’s White.
Which alcohol-free wine goes with Christmas turkey?
A slightly rounded white, such as L’Arjolle’s Viognier Sauvignon or Petit Étoilé’s Chardonnay. Red wine lovers can also choose a supple red.
How many bottles should you allow for a festive meal?
Allow one bottle for every 4 to 5 glasses. For eight people, six bottles in different styles will cover the whole meal, from aperitif to dessert.
Gueule de Joie — France’s first alcohol-free drinks merchant, established in 2019. More than 450 products selected for their taste, delivered across France within 72 hours (free delivery on orders over €120).
