A Guide to Sipping Through the Season.

The air is crisp, the carols are floating through grocery store speakers with unmistakable cheer, and your inner wine geek is itching for a holiday-themed deep dive. And right in the heart of December, there’s no better time to revisit one of the season’s most enduring traditions: The Twelve Days of Christmas.

But where did this curious list of gifts—from partridges to leaping lords—actually come from? And how did it inspire our very own 12 Wines of Christmas, a tasting journey designed to guide your holiday sips from the first day straight through Epiphany?

These traditions get mixed up like holiday ribbons, so let’s untangle them.

Where Did the 12 Days of Christmas Come From?

Long before it was a catchy (and increasingly absurd) carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas was a meaningful Christian observance marking the timeframe between the birth of Christ (December 25th) and the arrival of the Magi (January 6th).

These were days of celebration—feasts, merriment, reflection, and in some regions, gift-giving. The number twelve wasn’t random; it symbolized completeness, renewal, and spiritual wholeness. Each day carried its own significance, depending on cultural and religious tradition, and it all culminated with Epiphany, often considered the true finale of the holiday season.

The song itself?
It first appeared in print in England in 1780 as part of a children’s memory-and-forfeit game. No music. Just a chant-like verse meant to test how well you could recall the list in order. Over time, composers set it to the tune we know today—building a festive crescendo of gifts that get stranger and more lavish with each passing day.

12 Days of Christmas vs. the Advent Calendar

Before we pour ahead, let’s clear up a classic Christmas confusion.

Advent is the period before Christmas—a countdown of preparation, beginning on the fourth Sunday before December 25th. Advent calendars, whether filled with chocolates, toys, skincare samples, or tiny bottles of spirits (a favorite around here), are meant to help you anticipate the big day.

The 12 Days of Christmas, on the other hand, begin on Christmas Day. It’s not a countdown. It’s a celebration.

Think of Advent as the slow build-up…
…and the Twelve Days as the extended after-party.

Introducing the 12 Wines of Christmas

A Sommelier’s Day-by-Day Guide to Sipping Through the Season

🎁 Day 1 (Dec 25) – A Partridge in a Pear Tree

Wine: Vouvray Demi-Sec (Chenin Blanc)
Why: Orchard fruit, honey, and that holiday-friendly acidity.
Optional Cocktail: Pear French 75 – gin, lemon, pear liqueur, topped with sparkling Vouvray.

🎁 Day 2 – Two Turtle Doves

Wine: Côtes du Rhône Rouge
Why: A blend built on harmony—two grapes (Grenache + Syrah) leading the dance.
Optional Cocktail: Winter Kir Royale with crème de cassis and Rhône rosé bubbles.

🎁 Day 3 – Three French Hens

Wine: Beaujolais Cru (Morgon or Moulin-à-Vent)
Why: French, festive, and an ideal pairing for leftover turkey sandwiches.

🎁 Day 4 – Four Calling Birds

Wine: Oaked Chardonnay from Sonoma or Burgundy
Why: A nod to the “calling”—big flavors, toasty oak, buttered brioche vibes.
Optional Cocktail: Chardonnay Hot Toddy (trust me, it works—gentle heat + spice).

🎁 Day 5 – Five Golden Rings

Wine: Champagne
Why: Golden bubbles for the most iconic line in the song.
Optional Cocktail: Gold Rush Royale – bourbon, lemon, honey, topped with brut Champagne.

🎁 Day 6 – Six Geese a-Laying

Wine: Gewürztraminer
Why: A playful nod to the aromas—rose, lychee, spice—perfect with rich holiday brunches.

🎁 Day 7 – Seven Swans a-Swimming

Wine: Albariño
Why: Aquatic theme + saline, refreshing acidity = a perfect mid-festivity reset.

🎁 Day 8 – Eight Maids a-Milking

Wine: Cream Sherry (Amontillado or Medium)
Why: Nutty, silky, slightly creamy—holiday perfection.
Optional Cocktail: Sherry Flip – elegant, old-school, and oh-so-seasonal.

🎁 Day 9 – Nine Ladies Dancing

Wine: Lambrusco (Dry)
Why: Effervescence + vibrant fruit = a wine that practically twirls in your glass.

🎁 Day 10 – Ten Lords a-Leaping

Wine: Brunello di Montalcino
Why: Structured, noble, full of energy—this wine leaps with aristocratic swagger.

🎁 Day 11 – Eleven Pipers Piping

Wine: Islay Scotch-Cask Finished Red Wine (or simply: enjoy the Scotch!)
Why: Smoky, spicy, bold—perfect for the pipers’ dramatic flair.
Optional Cocktail: Smoked New York Sour – red wine float + peated whisky.

🎁 Day 12 – Twelve Drummers Drumming

Wine: Port (Vintage or LBV)
Why: Big, bold, booming flavor—an appropriate finale to the holiday symphony.
Optional Cocktail: Ruby Port Espresso Martini – a surprisingly spectacular twist.

A Festive Finale

As the last notes of the carol fade and the final drops in each glass give way to a new year, the 12 Wines of Christmas remind us that the joy of the season isn’t found in extravagance—it’s found in the small, thoughtful rituals we savor along the way.

Whether you follow the list sip by sip, swap in your own favorites, or shake up a festive cocktail instead, each day offers a moment to pause, celebrate, and connect.

Here’s to raising a glass to tradition, to curiosity, and to the simple magic that happens when wine, story, and season all come together.

May your holidays be bright, your cellar well-stocked, and your spirit joyfully lifted—one delicious day at a time. Cheers 🍷

Cover Photo by Arjunn. la on Pexels.com