A Portuguese Christmas: Traditional Dishes & the Wines That Bring Them to Life
If you grew up in Portugal, Christmas doesn’t begin with presents. It begins with the aroma of bacalhau simmering in the kitchen, rabanadas frying in olive oil, and someone opening a bottle of wine while wrapping gifts. That’s how it was in my family — and how it still feels today.
For Portuguese families, Christmas is about tradition, warmth, and gathering around the table, sharing food and wine that carry generations of memory.
As a Portuguese wine importer and WSET Diploma candidate living in the U.S., I still celebrate Christmas the way my family taught me: through flavors, stories, and the wines that bring our dishes to life.
Below is your guide to celebrating Christmas the Portuguese way, with wine pairings that honor each regional tradition and help you bring these flavors into your own home.
Traditional Portuguese Consoada dinner paired with Quinta das Queimas Encruzado white wine.
🎁 Christmas Eve: Consoada — The Bacalhau Feast
On December 24th, families across Portugal sit down for Consoada, the most iconic meal of the season. The classic version includes:
Bacalhau
Boiled potatoes
Cabbage and leafy greens
Olive oil, garlic, herbs
Comforting, humble, and deeply tied to our identity.
Best Wine Pairings for Bacalhau
Because bacalhau has richness and salinity, the best wines offer freshness and lift:
Alvarinho (Monção & Melgaço) - bright & refreshing
Dão Encruzado - elegant & minerally
Antão Vaz (Alentejo) - rich & full bodied
These wines cut through olive oil, brighten the herbs, and make the dish sing.
👉 Looking for the perfect wines for Christmas Eve? Shop DinizCellars.com for Vinho Verde, Dão, and Alentejo selections ideal for bacalhau.
Carne de Porco à Alentejana served with Divai Touriga Nacional creates a classic Portuguese food-and-wine pairing.
🎄 Christmas Day: Regional Dishes Across Portugal
December 25th looks different depending on where you are, but flavor always leads.
Northern Portugal: Cabrito Assado (Roast Young Goat)
Pair with:
Dão Red wines (Touriga Nacional, Jaen)
Bairrada: Leitão (Suckling Pig)
Pair with:
Bairrada Baga
Sparkling Alvarinho
Coastal Regions: Polvo (Octopus)
Pair with:
Encruzado
Arinto
Alentejo: Pork or Lamb Dishes
Pair with:
Alentejo Red Blends
👉 Shop DinizCellars.com for Portuguese reds and sparkling wines perfect for your Christmas Day feast.
Ginjinha d’Alcobaça paired with chocolate cups and seasonal sweets.
🍩 Desserts: Rabanadas, Filhós, & Sonhos
No Portuguese Christmas is complete without a table full of these classics, and more:
Rabanadas - think French Toast with their custardy soft interior and crispy exterior, often coated in cinnamon sugar.
Filhós - similar to doughnuts, known for being light, airy, and crispy on the outside with a soft interior
Sonhos - Portuguese for “dreams”, are light, airy, doughnut-like fried pastries, similar to choux pastry puffs (like cream puffs or beignets)
Sweet Wine Pairings
Moscatel de Setúbal
A star with cinnamon and egg-based desserts.
Tawny Port
Caramel, nuts, warmth — the flavor of Christmas itself.
Ginjinha - Lisbon’s premiere sour cherry liqueur
Elegant, bright, and unforgettable with desserts - Christmas in a glass.
👉 Find holiday dessert wines at DinizCellars.com — including Port favorites.
💖 Why These Traditions Matter
Pouring Portuguese wine at Christmas isn’t just about pairing — it’s about connection.
It means opening memories of families crowded around a kitchen table, traditions passed down through generations, and a culture expressed through food and wine. For me, these wines tie me back to Portugal — and I hope they help you create your own memories this season.
🥂 Bring a Taste of Portugal Home This Christmas
Whether you’re hosting a typical Portuguese traditional Consoada, delighting your guests with your own family recipes, or simply wanting to share something special with loved ones, Portuguese wine elevates every moment.
✨ Explore our holiday wine collection at DinizCellars.com
Discover bottles from family-owned producers across Portugal, curated for your Christmas table.
Feliz Natal e Boas Festas!
May your holiday be filled with warmth, laughter, and great Portuguese wine.
Sandy - Your Portuguese Wine Chick
Sandra Gomes Rocha
👉 Shop Holiday Wines → DinizCellars.com
💝 Perfect for gifting, hosting, or celebrating your own Portuguese traditions.