If you grew up in (or married into 😄) an Italian-American family, you already know that Christmas Eve isn’t about roast beef or baked ham. It’s about fish… and a lot of it.
That’s the heart of the Feast of the Seven Fishes—a tradition rooted in faith, family, and a table that somehow keeps growing.
What Is the Feast of the Seven Fishes?
The Feast of the Seven Fishes is celebrated on Christmas Eve and features multiple seafood dishes—traditionally seven, though let’s be honest, many families go well beyond that number.
Its origins come from Southern Italy, where Catholics observed Christmas Eve as a day of abstinence from meat. Fish became the centerpiece, and when Italian immigrants brought the tradition to the U.S., it evolved into the multi-course, all-night feast many of us know today.
The number seven is often tied to Catholic symbolism—the seven sacraments, seven days of creation—but every family has its own interpretation. In my family, the meaning is simple: if it swims, it belongs on the table.
Pairing Wine with the Feast (Yes, NJ Wine Fits Perfectly)
Seafood-heavy meals can feel tricky when it comes to wine, but this is where New Jersey wines truly shine. Bright acidity, aromatic whites, and lighter, food-friendly rosés are exactly what the Feast of the Seven Fishes calls for.
Here are three New Jersey wines that pair beautifully with a traditional Seven Fishes spread:
🐟 Federal Twist Vidal Blanc
Why it works: Crisp, clean, and citrus-forward, Vidal Blanc is a natural match for seafood. It refreshes your palate without overpowering delicate flavors.
Perfect with:
Fried calamari, Shrimp scampi, Linguine with white clam sauce
Where to get it:
Federal Twist Vineyard (Hunterdon County)
This is the kind of wine you can pour early in the evening and keep coming back to as the plates keep rotating.
🐟 Cedar Rose Traminette
Why it works: Traminette brings subtle floral aromatics with just enough spice to elevate baked and herb-driven seafood dishes.
Perfect with:
Baked flounder or cod, Seafood-stuffed mushrooms, Crab or lobster dishes
Where to get it:
Cedar Rose Vineyards (Hunterdon County)
This wine adds complexity without stealing the spotlight—exactly what you want during a multi-course meal.
🐟 Federal Twist Chambourcin Rosé
Why it works: This rosé has the acidity to handle tomato-based seafood dishes and enough body to stand up to bolder flavors on the table.
Perfect with:
Seafood marinara, Mussels in red sauce, Smoked or grilled fish
Where to get it:
Federal Twist Vineyard (Hunterdon County)
If your Feast includes a little bit of everything (and it usually does), this rosé is your wild card bottle.
A Tradition Worth Savoring
The Feast of the Seven Fishes isn’t about sticking to rules—it’s about tradition, storytelling, and squeezing one more dish onto an already full table. Pairing it with New Jersey wine keeps the experience local, approachable, and honestly… more memorable.
So this Christmas Eve, pour a glass of NJ wine, pass the calamari, and enjoy the feast—one fish (and one bottle) at a time. 🍷🐟
Learn more about both The Federal Twist Vineyard and Cedar Rose Vineyards and all the wines they have to offer.
