Let's be real – the most important factor in the entirety of the Christmas holidays comes down to one thing – what wine are you drinking to get through the drawn-out dinners with in laws and opinionated aunts?

You're not going to get the usual suggestions seen in most articles floating around this time of year – you won't find any Beaujolais, Pinot Noir or Riesling recommendations here!

Instead, you'll find some unconventional, unusual and fun options to choose from – wines that'll take you out of your comfort zone and help maintain a nice healthy buzz just strong enough to endure your extended family this holiday season.

Anything from the Jura

This is a wine region tucked away in eastern France between Burgundy and Switzerland. This is an area most wine nerds go nuts for; the styles of wine coming out of the Jura are at times unusual and not generally appealing to the average palate. These wines differ in that some styles go through unique winemaking methods; an ageing process known as "sous voile" – not unlike "under flor" as in the Jerez region where sherry hails from. The wines can come across as oxidative, briney, and high in acid which – you guessed it – makes them amazing for pairing with food! Styles and varietals to keep your eye out for: Savignan, Poulsard, and Trousseau.

Blaufränkisch

This is a varietal that needs more love! It's a light-bodied red, similar in texture and style to a Pinot Noir, with a little more sass. Its telltale giveaway is its peppery aroma – a chemical compound known as rotundone responsible for producing this flavour most commonly found in shiraz or syrah. The great news is that this varietal is being produced by a number of wineries throughout the Okanagan including Ancient Hill, Little Straw and Mount Boucherie. This will pair perfectly with turkey dinner but is also fantastic for sipping on its own.

Albariño

This is a varietal that hails from northwest Spain in the region of Rias Baixas. Its stunning fruit flavours that transport you to an orchard of stone fruit, that resides seaside – peaches, nectarines, apricots with an undercurrent of ocean water. It's high acidity keeps your palate fresh and inviting for impending bites of food. And, the best part is that you can find an unbelievable example of it here in the Okanagan at Terravista Vineyards. Be forewarned – this stuff is so delicious you won't be able to get enough of it.

Laura Milnes is a Kelowna native and local wine professional, operating her own wine and hospitality consulting company. Laura is WSET certified, and continually expands her wine knowledge through education, research and travel. You can find Laura hosting wine related pop up events and consulting with wineries throughout the Okanagan with a focus on wine education and training. The rare time Laura is not reading about, or tasting wine, you can find her travelling with her partner, cooking or doing DIY projects for her home. To learn more about wine check out her Instagram page @silkandcoupe.