Blog posts tagged with 'christmas'

Olá! Luis here for the final time this year. As we come to the end of 2025, many of us start to plan a night of celebration. Whether you're staying in with family, gathering with friends or hosting something bigger, New Year’s Eve is a time to enjoy good wine, small plates of food and a moment to raise a glass together.

In Portugal, we like to keep New Year simple but joyful. We welcome the year ahead with sparkling wine, cured meats, cheese and a few olives on the table. It’s not about cooking a big meal, it’s about gathering people, opening a good bottle and sharing a few things that taste great together.

At Divino, we have everything you need for a Portuguese-style New Year’s Eve. From sparkling wines to cured meats and soft cheeses, here’s how to plan your NYE.

Start with Sparkling from Bairrada

In Portugal, we toast the New Year with sparkling wine. One of the most famous regions for this is Bairrada, where wines are fresh, dry and made in the traditional method. These wines are great with food, but also perfect for that midnight toast.

The go-to: Alianca Baga Reserva Brut

• Crisp and dry with lively bubbles
• Made with the local Baga grape
• Great with cured meats, cheeses or salted snacks

Shop Baga Reserva Brut ›

Something a bit different: Alianca Sparkling Red Wine 

• Deep red with fine bubbles
• Pairs well with chouriço, smoked meats or stronger cheeses
• A bold alternative to traditional white or rosé fizz

Shop Alianca Red Wine Sparkling ›

Serving tip: Chill both wines well before serving. The red sparkling can be poured into wide glasses for extra aroma and works nicely as a conversation starter.

Build a Simple Sharing Plate

Portuguese-style celebrations are about variety. You don’t need to make a full meal, just build a board or small table of things that work well together. Here’s how to do it:

Cured Meats

Cured meats bring salt, smoke and spice to the table. Slice and serve at room temperature.

Primor Salpicão de Porco Preto (Sliced)

• Made from black pork
• Rich flavour and firm texture
• Serve with mustard or crusty bread

 Shop Salpicão

Quintinha Serrano Ham Sliced

• Thin, salty and soft
• A classic on any Portuguese board
• No prep needed, just plate and serve

Shop Serrano Ham

Porminho Chouriço Slices

• Smoky with paprika and garlic
• Can be served cold or gently warmed
• Pairs nicely with red wine or rosé

Shop Chouriço Slices

Cheeses

You don’t need too many cheeses. Just 2 or 3 with different textures.

Paiva Amanteigado Curado

• Semi-soft with a creamy centre
• Serve with a spoon onto thin crackers

Castelões Cheese Semi-Hard

• Firmer and slightly tangy
• Easy to slice and serve with olives or ham

Paiva R3 Sheep Cheese

• Rich, slightly nutty with a clean finish
• Pair with Red wine, cured meats or fig jam

Shop all cheese ›

Cheese Board Tip: Take cheese out of the fridge 30 minutes before serving. Add some grapes or fig jam if you like something sweet.

Olives and Extras

A few jars of olives and nibbles complete the spread.

Maçarico Black Olives

• Soft and mild
• Perfect with cheese and white wine
  
  

Maçarico Green Olives with Garlic & Herbs

• More flavour and a nice contrast to richer meats
  
  

Other extras: roasted almonds, salted crisps, thinly sliced bread, fig jam or a pot of honey.

Don’t Forget Dessert

After the toast, many people like something sweet. You can keep it simple.

• Pão de Ló Tradicional: A soft sponge cake, very traditional at New Year
  
• Serve with Borges Tawny Port or a small glass of White Port for a nice finish

Celebrate the Portuguese Way

New Year’s Eve doesn’t have to be complicated. A few good wines, a small table of food and people you enjoy. Add a few candles, some music and glasses ready for the countdown.

At Divino, we’re here to help you celebrate with ease. Whether you’re planning something big or keeping it small, our wines, cured meats and cheeses bring the flavour of Portugal to your home.

Browse our full range at Divino.je

Feliz Ano Novo and Saúde!

Olá! Luis here again. At Christmas, the table is full. Not just with food, but with people, conversation and moments we remember. Choosing the right wine for your meal helps bring everything together.

In Portugal, wine is not just for special occasions. It is part of everyday meals. But during the festive season, we give more thought to what we serve. Certain wines go better with certain dishes. If you are cooking turkey, beef, fish or one of our more traditional dishes like suckling pig, there is a Portuguese wine that can match the flavour and add something extra to the experience.

At Divino, we’ve selected a few wines that work well with Christmas menus. Whether you're welcoming guests, serving a full roast or looking for a bottle to enjoy with dessert, this guide will help you choose.

A Wine to Welcome Guests

Start with something light and refreshing. When guests arrive, it’s nice to offer a glass of wine that is easy to drink and suits many tastes. This helps set the tone before the meal.

Go for a Planalto Reserva White

• Crisp and balanced
• Good with canapés, olives, cheeses or just on its own!
• Serve well chilled

A Wine for Turkey

Roast turkey is traditional in many homes. It is a mild meat, so the wine should not overpower it. Look for a medium-bodied red or a full white with some structure.

Go for a Esporão Reserva Red

• Smooth and round
• Works well with roast turkey, stuffing, and root vegetables
• A good choice if you have many guests and different dishes on the table

If you prefer white wine with turkey, Monte Mayor White is another option with its clean, fruity and fresh taste.

A Wine for Beef

Roast beef or steak needs something stronger. You want a wine that can hold its own with richer, darker flavours.

Go for a Reserva do Comendador Red

• Bold and full-bodied
• Good with beef, roast potatoes and gravy
• Serve slightly below room temperature for best flavour

This is also a good wine to have open after the meal for those who prefer red.

Shop red wines ›

A Wine for Fish

If you’re serving cod, sea bass, or another white fish, go for a crisp white. Fish dishes often have lemon or herbs, so the wine should be clean and fresh to match.

Go for a Pacheca Moscatel Galego White

• Light, with citrus and floral notes
• Pairs well with fish, seafood rice, or vegetable dishes

This is a nice wine to have on the table if you are serving different mains such as poultry, fish, beef or a nut roast.

Shop white wines ›

A Wine for Suckling Pig

Suckling pig (leitão) is a classic Portuguese dish, especially at Christmas. It is rich and fatty with crispy skin. The wine should have good acidity to cut through the fat.

Go for a Q. Ortigão Sparkling Baga Brut

• Fresh, dry, and slightly fizzy
• Traditional pairing for suckling pig in Portugal
• Serve very cold

If you prefer red, try Alianca Red Wine Sparkling which has a deep colour and soft, light acidity.

Shop Sparkling wines ›

A Wine for Dessert

After the main meal, many people want something sweet. Whether it’s sponge cake, chocolate, or cheese, Portuguese dessert wines are a good way to finish.

Go for Borges Tawny Port

• Rich and smooth
• Works with nuts, fruitcake, or simply on its own

Also consider White Port as an alternative — served chilled with cheese or custard tarts.

Shop Ports ›

A Simple Christmas Wine Plan

If you are planning your shop, here’s a simple wine plan that covers all the bases:

• Starter or welcome drink: Planalto Reserva White
• Main course – turkey or mixed meats: Esporão Reserva Red
• Main course – beef: Reserva do Comendador Red
• Main course – fish: Pacheca Moscatel Galego White
• Main course – suckling pig: Q. Ortigão Sparkling Baga Brut
• Dessert: Borges Tawny Port

This selection gives you enough variety to suit any guest or dish.

Wine for Gifting

Wine also makes a thoughtful gift. A bottle of red with a wedge of cheese or a port with some chocolate is simple and always appreciated. You can build your own hamper or browse our Christmas range for ready-made ideas.

Make Wine Part of the Celebration

Choosing the right wine doesn’t have to be complicated. With just a few bottles, you can create a festive table that feels special and relaxed. At Divino, we bring together wines from across Portugal that suit all tastes and budgets.

Whether you’re hosting a large gathering or keeping it small this year, we’re here to help you find the right wine for your Christmas table.

Browse our full wine collection at Divino.je

Feliz Natal and Saúde!