During the Christmas holidays, the question of food is discussed at length in most households. A good wine is the perfect accompaniment for many dishes and menus. Wine connoisseurs match it precisely to the Christmas dinner in advance. The
water issue
on the other hand, often goes completely unnoticed. A mineral or drinking water that is well matched to the wine can emphasize the sensory enjoyment.

The harmony must be right

Even though Christmas is the festival of love, it doesn’t mean that the holidays are always harmonious everywhere. This can also be applied to the choice of drinks. If the harmony between the chosen wine and water is right, amazing taste experiences are sometimes possible. Top wines in particular are shown to their best advantage when they are accompanied by water. Conversely, an unsuitable mineral water can diminish the sensory effect of the wine. Every
mineral and drinking water
has a very individual character. This can vary greatly depending on the water region, water treatment and industrial bottling. The intensity and type of mineralization as well as the proportion of carbon dioxide content are particularly decisive for a suitable complement to food and wine.

Minerals for health and enjoyment

Without minerals, life would not be possible. They are involved in numerous metabolic processes in the body, especially in the various cells. The minerals calcium    Chemisches Element Ca mit der Ordnungszahl 20, Mineralstoff, der zu den Mengenelementen zählt. Unter den Mineralstoffen ha..., sodium and magnesium play the biggest role in the perception of mineral water. Depending on the composition, they can give the water a stronger or saltier note. All three minerals are essential for life. According to the recommendations of the German Nutrition Society (DGE), male adults should consume around 350 mg of magnesium and female adults 300 mg of magnesium per day. The recommended daily intake of calcium for adults is 1,000 mg per day. For sodium, the DGE gives a guideline value of 1,500 mg per day for adults. Mineral water can contribute to this.

Carbonic acid brings liveliness

In addition to the minerals, carbon dioxide plays a key role in the harmony of taste. Haptic effects play a particularly important role here. The carbon dioxide influences the mouthfeel of the water. Waters with a high carbon dioxide content are often perceived as more lively than those with a low carbon dioxide content. At the same time, the carbon dioxide also affects the sensation of hardness of the water in the mouth. Many mineral waters combine intensive mineralization with a high carbon dioxide content. The combination of water with food and wine naturally depends on personal preference. Nevertheless, some basic combination options can provide guidance on the best possible choice of water.

Water recommendations at the Christmas table

If water and wine are served together, the temperature of the water should be slightly below the temperature of the wine. Wine connoisseurs recommend a temperature difference of around 2 degrees. For sweet-sweet wines, a mineral water with a higher to very pronounced carbon dioxide content can be recommended. The liveliness and freshness of the water pushes the sweetness of a sweet wine into the background. For dry wines, whether red or white, water with a slight carbonic acid content and balanced mineralization is recommended. This can increase the intensity of the fruity perception and a fresh note. Heavy, tannic red wines go best with still water or tap water. They make the wine taste fruitier, milder and rounder. Carbonic acid would tend to lead to bitter or astringent perceptions. This means that the choice of water can easily optimize the taste of the wine.

Wine spritzer – the alternative: Wine spritzers are a controversial topic. Some see them as a shameful dilution of good wine, others appreciate their light taste and lower alcohol content. However, wine spritzers can only be enjoyed with carbonated mineral water. Drinking water from the tap that has been carbonated afterwards is not particularly suitable for a wine spritzer as it contains very few minerals.