If you’re searching for holiday wine pairings or simply the best wines for Christmas, this countdown brings together Italian favourites— all available at the LCBO. From the bright lift of Ruffino Prosecco DOC to the classic elegance of Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale, the purity of Chianti Classico Aziano, the modern richness of Modus Toscana IGT, and the grandeur of Riserva Ducale Oro Gran Selezione, these wines capture what makes Tuscany unforgettable: craftsmanship, generosity, and timeless style.
The holidays move in two speeds— slow and full throttle. One moment you’re lighting a candle; the next, the kitchen hums with warmth and the house fills with the scent of roasted herbs and citrus zest. This year, my go-to bottles for Christmas dinner pairings bring la dolce vita to life — all from Ruffino, the Italian winery that has shaped Tuscan wine culture for nearly 150 years.
Founded in 1877 just outside Florence, Ruffino embodies the heart of Tuscany: expressive, food-friendly, and made to be shared. A perfect balance of heritage and innovation — and the perfect recipe for the season.
Let the countdown begin.
12 days of holiday food and wine pairings
Day 1 – Ruffino Prosecco DOC + Roasted Feta with Mulled Spiced Grapes
There’s something about popping a cork that instantly changes the room. I love starting the holidays with bubbles — bright, effortless, a little bit joyful.
Ruffino Prosecco DOC is all sparkle and charm, crafted from Glera grapes grown in the soft clay hills of northeastern Italy. Fermented twice in stainless-steel tanks using the Charmat method, it captures every delicate note of pear, citrus, and almond. Its fine mousse and crisp finish make it impossible not to smile.
Paired with roasted feta and mulled grapes, the wine’s freshness slices through the creamy saltiness, while the gentle sweetness of the fruit mirrors the spice. It’s cozy and festive without feeling heavy— a first toast that always sets the tone.
Day 2 – Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale DOCG + Vegetarian Bolognese
If there’s a scent that says winter to me, it’s tomato sauce simmering with herbs and mushrooms. That’s when I reach for Riserva Ducale— the heart of Ruffino’s story.
First made in 1927 for the Duke of Aosta, this wine has been the house’s signature ever since. Grown on the clay-limestone soils of Chianti Classico and aged for two years in stainless steel and large oak casks, it balances Sangiovese’s bright cherry with deeper tones of plum, tobacco, and clove.
A lentil-and-mushroom bolognese loves that structure. The wine’s acidity lifts the sauce, its gentle tannins frame the richness, and that whisper of eucalyptus on the finish keeps everything alive. It’s comfort and elegance in the same glass.
Day 3 – Ruffino Chianti Classico Aziano DOCG + Eggplant Rollatini
Some wines make dinner feel like a memory even while it’s happening. Aziano is one of those— youthful, vibrant, unmistakably Tuscan.
Made mostly from Sangiovese and aged only in stainless steel, Aziano shows off the grape’s purest side: red cherry, violet, and soft plum layered over loamy, fossil-rich soil. No oak, no heaviness— just freshness and lift.
With eggplant rollatini— ricotta, tomato, and tender eggplant baked until bubbling— the wine’s acidity cuts through the richness and its fruit mirrors the sauce’s brightness. It’s simple, soulful, and exactly why I love Italian food and wine: both shine by staying true to themselves.
Day 4 – Ruffino Modus Toscana IGT + Beef Wellington
There’s always one dinner where I want everything to feel a little grand— linen napkins, slow music, and something in the oven that makes the whole house smell buttery. That’s when I reach for Modus.
Latin for method and measure, Modus was Ruffino’s first Supertuscan, blending Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot from hillside vineyards near Florence. The clay-and-limestone soils give it structure; a year in French oak barriques adds spice and polish. The result is dark and aromatic— blackberry, clove, balsamic warmth.
With beef wellington, the pairing just makes sense. The wine’s tannins stand up to the beef’s richness, its spice melts into the mushroom duxelles, and the finish is smooth and savory. It’s a dish that asks for confidence, and Modus brings it in spades.
Day 5 – Ruffino Chianti Classico Aziano DOCG + Focaccia Olives & Tomatoes
There’s nothing more Tuscan than good bread, good oil, and a glass of Chianti. Aziano was made for this kind of simplicity.
Aged only in stainless steel, it shows off Sangiovese’s bright cherry fruit and natural verve. A touch of Merlot and Cabernet softens the edges, but the wine remains pure and lively, shaped by the fossil-rich loam of its vineyards.
Warm focaccia with olives and roasted cherry tomatoes is the perfect match. The salt and oil find their counterpoint in the wine’s acidity, while its red-berry brightness plays against the tomatoes’ sweetness. Sunlight in liquid form.
Day 6 – Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale DOCG + Spinach & Ricotta Shells
When the holiday pace hits its stride and I crave something cozy but classic, I always end up back at Riserva Ducale.
It’s two years of aging— part in oak, part in stainless steel— give it an old-world balance that feels timeless. Cherry, plum, and violet mingle with subtle notes of tobacco and clove, a reflection of Ruffino’s signature touch with Sangiovese.
With creamy spinach-and-ricotta shells, the wine’s acidity cuts through the richness while the spice and fruit bring lift. It’s the kind of pairing that makes you pause mid-bite, realizing just how perfectly food and wine can dance.
Day 7 – Ruffino Prosecco DOC + Smoked Salmon Dip
A glass of Prosecco at brunch feels like a small celebration— light, bright, and always welcome. Ruffino’s version, made from Glera grapes in the hills of Veneto, captures that effortless sparkle. Fermented twice in stainless steel using the Charmat method, it’s delicate yet vibrant, full of citrus and white peach.
Smoked salmon dip with roasted potato rounds is rich and silky, just the thing for bubbles to cut through. The Prosecco’s acidity refreshes the palate, its gentle fruit softens the salt, and the fine mousse adds a playful lift. Easy, elegant, and always the crowd favourite.
Day 8 – Comparative Tasting:
Ruffino Modus Toscana IGT & Riserva Ducale Oro Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG + Braised Short Rib Ragù
This is my favourite kind of wine moment— when two bottles tell one story. Modus is modern Tuscany: bold, barrique-aged, and plush with blackberry and spice. Riserva Ducale Oro is its counterpart— the elder statesman, all precision and grace.
Oro was first made in 1947 to celebrate an extraordinary vintage, crafted from Sangiovese, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon grown in Castellina in Chianti. It matures three full years— in concrete, barriques, and Slavonian oak— to develop layers of cherry, violet, chocolate, and tobacco.
A slow-cooked short rib ragù brings out both wines beautifully. Modus leans into the warmth and spice; Oro adds depth and composure. Together, they capture everything I love about Tuscany— innovation and tradition, side by side.
Day 9 – Ruffino Chianti Classico Aziano DOCG + Pizza Bianca
Some nights call for simplicity— a cozy sweater, a warm oven, and something that makes the house smell like home. Pizza Bianca and a glass of Aziano fit that perfectly.
Aziano’s unoaked style keeps it fresh and versatile, with lively cherry and floral tones that make even humble dishes feel special. Its acidity gives it lift, and the soft tannins let it glide easily alongside creamy textures.
The melted cheese and crisp dough meet the wine’s brightness in perfect balance. Nothing fancy— just pure pleasure.
Day 10 – Ruffino Modus Toscana IGT + Tomato Soup with Herbed Ricotta
Some pairings surprise you by how right they feel. Modus and tomato soup are one of those.
With twelve months in French oak, Modus shows structure and poise— ripe dark fruit, a touch of spice, and a long, balsamic finish. The blend of Sangiovese, Merlot, and Cabernet gives it both brightness and depth, like sunlight and shadow in the same glass.
The soup’s acidity mirrors the wine’s, the ricotta softens its tannins, and the herbs echo its spice. It’s modern comfort— rustic, elegant, and quietly luxurious.
Day 11 – Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG + Eggplant Cannelloni
Every collection needs a showstopper, and for Ruffino, that’s the Oro. It’s the crown jewel of Chianti Classico— intense, elegant, and endlessly layered.
From vineyards in Castellina in Chianti, the wine spends three years maturing across concrete, oak barriques, and large Slavonian casks. The result is deep cherry and violet woven with chocolate, balsamic, and tobacco— a balance of power and finesse.
With eggplant cannelloni, those flavours unfold effortlessly. The wine’s acidity cuts through the creamy filling, its fruit enhances the eggplant’s sweetness, and its spice lingers softly on the finish. The kind of pairing that feels quietly grand.
Day 12 – Ruffino Prosecco DOC + Classic Tiramisu
No better way to close a celebration than with bubbles and dessert. Ruffino’s Prosecco— crisp, aromatic, and perfectly balanced— brings the countdown full circle. Crafted from Glera grapes fermented in stainless steel and re-fermented in sealed tanks, it’s fresh and lively, with notes of orchard fruit and caramel.
Tiramisu loves a sparkling partner. The wine’s bubbles lighten the mascarpone, its sweetness softens the cocoa, and the caramel tones echo the espresso. Each sip refreshes the palate, keeping dessert bright, playful, and full of joy.
Twelve dishes, five wines, and one thread that ties them together. Salute and happy holidays!
If you’re looking for more guides on good wine, check out our sommelier-approved recommendations for affordable Italian wines. Read this festive guide to sparkling wines to learn everything you need to know. For the best winter wines, ones worth staying inside for, check out these expert-approved. Need some global inspiration? Read this ultimate holiday sip list including picks from Australia, Italy and Chile. And for the best organic wines from France, this article includes six of the best.
