Christmas Celebrations the Italian Way

17-Dec-2025 | Luisa Welch

I have a soft spot for these two traditional Italian products

Christmas is a time for coming together, raising a glass with loved ones and embracing the festive spirit – and fewer pairings embody the season better than Prosecco and Grana Padano.

With its delicate bubbles, Prosecco PDO brings sparkle to any gathering at Christmas – for an aperitvo, a festive toast or a versatile pairing at the table. The perfect partnership, Grana Padano PDO, matured for a minimum of nine months, adds savoury depth and a nutty richness that balances beautifully with Prosecco’s freshness. Enjoyed together they elevate festive entertaining but also make a welcome gift for food and drink lovers. Their quality is guaranteed by the PDO mark, the Protected Denomination of Origin.

The perfect festive aperitivo – Welcome guests with a chilled glass of Prosecco PDO and bite-sized cubes of Grana Padano PDO drizzled with honey, or add shavings of Grana Padano PDO on top of canapés, salads or warm starters to whet the appetite.

Give an Italian twist to your Christmas cheeseboard – Add generous wedges of Grana Padano PDO to your festive spread, pairing with figs, grapes and crusty bread.

An tasty foodie gift – A bottle of Prosecco PDO and a wedge of Grana Padano PDO is delicious gift that brings the taste of Italy to any Christmas table.

The ultimate New Year’s Eve toast – Ring in the new year Italian-style with Prosecco PDO in every glass, paired with Grana Padano PDO served simply with fresh pears for a classic combination that balances indulgence with freshness.

Festive recipes made special – Elevate seasonal dishes by grating Grana Padano PDO over risottos, pasta bakes or even Christmas stuffing for an umami kick.

Indulgent late-night snacking – When the celebrations wind down, keep it simple but satisfying: serve leftover wedges of Grana Padano PDO with a final glass of Prosecco PDO for a relaxed, after-party treat.

Here are some delightful proseccos, easily available and very affordable.

• La Gioiosa Prosecco DOC, £10 from Majestic Stores
• La Gioiosa Prosecco Rosé Millesimato Brut, £10.50 from Waitrose
• Masottina Collezione 96 Brut Prosecco NV, £10.49 from Strictly Wine