I like to bake Christmas cookies. I like to drink wine. I decided to call in an official Professional Wine Advisor to help me pair the two together.  Not that my bulk buy of mom-chardonnay wouldn’t work for every cookie this season, I just thought I might raise the bar a bit.

What say you, fellow mothers - fellow wine lovers who raise tiny humans?  If you love wine as much as me, you probably have a garage that looks like the Amazon warehouse right now, full of Christmas crap that is going to need wrapped.  This shit ain’t going to wrap itself. 

I also need to separate it all to make sure Mama didn’t enjoy her wine and click too many times for one child over another. God forbid there not be equal amounts to open. Whatever, I’m not sorry. I love Christmas. I love going overboard. I also love enjoying all.the.cookies. 

Oh Santa! You are in for a treat!  We have been baking up a storm (and drinking to match – because, duh, I needed to make sure the wines paired well) this past week.  I won’t lie, I called in a girlfriend to help execute this article. (I’m not 21 any more folks – and I do have a baby to breastfeed!) Let’s get to the good stuff!  You still have time to make a run to the store for a few bottles of wine before you start wrapping gifts.

Wine Pairings for the 12 Cookies of Christmas

Gingerbread Cookies

A Chilean Merlot or a crisp Riesling will work well with the ginger, cloves, and cinnamon, depending on your mood.  

Chocolate Chip Cookies

The most commonly made cookie in America can be enjoyed with a few great wines. A semi-sweet or milk chocolate version of the cookie will be best paired with a bubbly Prosecco. But if you use a dark chocolate, you will be better off pairing the cookie with a smooth Cabernet Sauvignon.

Fudgey Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

A fudgey, rich cookie like this needs an equally rich wine partner.  Zinfandel works well.

Sugar cookies

Depending on your personal preference between red or white, a Riesling or a Merlot will pair well here.  The merlot is generally one of the smoothest red wines. It will add a bit of body to the simple sugar cookie.  

Lemon Shortbread

Pinot Grigio is just sweet enough to balance the lemon in these decadent desserts.  

White chocolate peppermint

Apparently, any cookie that contains peppermint should not be paired with wine! So I guess we will drink first, then eat the cookies.  

Spicy Mexican Hot Cocoa Cookies

A Carmenere, while similar to a merlot, has the perfect combination of berries and spices to pull out the flavors of this spectacular Christmas cookie.  

7-Layer sweets

This traditional Christmas treat will be best enjoyed with a full-bodied red wine, such as a Cabernet.  

Gingersnaps

An Albarino is just the match for the spices that come from a cookie containing ginger.  

Rum Balls

A sweet Moscato is on the menu when these Christmas cookies are served.  

Buckeye Balls

An Argentinian Malbec has a rich flavor that will pair perfectly with these sweet peanut butter and chocolate desserts.  

Greek Butter Cookies

A rich Chardonnay will pull out the butter flavor within these cookies, and the vanilla and warm undertones will remind you it’s winter.

Let’s be real here, there is nothing wrong with throwing a few holiday themed Trader Joe’s cookies on a plate and enjoying your favorite bottle of bubbly.  I won’t tell if you won’t.