This Chapel Down Bacchus from Tenterden in Kent is a fine example of how good English wine can be.
Chapel Down Bacchus 2023 (England)
English wine has come on in leaps and bounds over the last twenty years or so and this Chapel Down Bacchus from Tenterden in Kent is a fine example of how good English wine can be. Â
This is an aromatic, fresh, crisp wine, with aromas of apple, grapefruit and melon on the nose, and flavours of peach, melon and apple on the palate.
Produced by England’s largest wine producer, it is a light, well-balanced wine with a long finish. It is a wine that can enjoyed by itself or paired with seafood, salad or an Asian dish.
It also pairs well with Wensleydale cheese.
Available from Grape Britannia, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Majestic (£15-16)
A fine Chardonnay from one of New Zealand’s foremost wine producers
Oyster Bay Chardonnay, Marlborough 2023 (New Zealand)
This fine Chardonnay from one of New Zealand’s foremost wine producers, Oyster Bay, will get the new year off to a great start! With aromas of peach, apple and grapefruit on the nose, and flavours of nectarine and peach on the palate, it’s a very good representation of a cold climate Chardonnay from a region best known for its excellent Sauvignon Blanc wines.
The layers of fruit are well supported by the bright acidity, subtle hints of oak and the creamy texture, creating a delightful wine which is perfect by itself or with a seafood or vegetable dish.
Available from Sainsbury’s, Majestic, Tesco (£11-£12)
Taste the Difference, Conegliano Prosecco Superiore Brut, 2023 (Italy)
Produced from grapes grown on the steep limestone hills in the DOCG area of Conegliano in north-east Italy, this is a crisp, refreshing sparkling wine with flavours of apple, lemon, apricot and peach, and a smooth, lively fizz.
The heat of Southern Italy means it is able to produce full-bodied red wines made from grape varieties such as Aglianico, Primitivo and Negroamaro which flourish in the hot, sunny climate. This Negroamaro from Puglia in the heel of Italy is a delightful Southern Italian red offering very good value for money.
With aromas of bramble fruits, vanilla and a hint of spice on the nose, and flavours of blackberry, prune, and cherry on the palate, this is a smooth, velvety, well-balanced wine with medium tannin and a lingering finish.
A bold, full-bodied fruity wine, this is a perfect match for steak, roast or grilled meat dishes, roasted vegetables or mature cheeses.
Portugal has an abundance of local grape varieties which bring a note of difference to its wines. This wine from the Alentejo region of south-east Portugal is a well-crafted blend of Antão Vaz, Arinto, Gouveio and Roupeiro grapes and brings a touch of Portuguese warmth to these cold, wintry evenings.
An aromatic wine with notes of jasmine, honeyed peach and pear on the nose, and flavours of apple, citrus fruits and peach on the palate, this is a smooth, elegant wine with balanced acidity and a creamy mouthfeel.
This is a very appealing wine that can be enjoyed by itself, or paired with seafood, pasta or feta cheese.
Pale lemon in colour, with aromas of citrus fruit, almonds and olives, and yeasty notes from the flor used in the biological ageing process, this Manzanilla, is bright and fresh, with a saline, tangy finish derived from its coastal location of Sanlucar in southern Spain.
A dry wine with light acidity, it has herby, nutty flavours on the palate, and can be enjoyed as an aperitif or with smoked salmon, fish and chips, or cured meats.
Bardos Verdejo 2023 Rueda, Castilla y León (Spain)
Spain offers a rich hunting ground for interesting and refreshing indigenous white wines, with each of them bringing features of their distinct regionality to the table, and Verdejo from the Rueda region of Castilla y León is a very good example.
Typically, Verdejo wines are fresh and zesty, with flavours of lime and lemon together with pear and peach. It makes for an excellent alternative to a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and a perfect match for seafood, if you are looking to try something different.
The Bardos Verdejo 2023is a dry, medium-bodied wine with refreshing acidity and a long finish. With aromas of lemon, pear and peach on the nose, and flavours of apricot, lime and pineapple on the palate, this is an appealing, elegant wine that can be enjoyed by itself, or paired with seafood, a creamy pasta, or goat cheese.
Oyster Bay Chardonnay, Marlborough 2022 (New Zealand)
This fine Chardonnay from one of New Zealand’s foremost wine producers, Oyster Bay, will get your Christmas festivities off to a great start! With aromas of peach, lemon and grapefruit on the nose heralding flavours of nectarine and peach on the palate, it’s a very good representation of a cold climate Chardonnay from a region best known for its Sauvignon Blanc wines.
The layers of fruit are well supported by the bright acidity, subtle hints of oak and the creamy texture, creating a delightful wine which is perfect by itself or with a seafood or vegetable dish. Available from Sainsbury’s (£10.75)
This Assyrtiko wine from Macedonia is a crisp, dry wine with an appealing freshness on the palate. A blend of Assyrtiko (85%) and Viognier (15%), it has aromas of apple, peach and a hint of smokiness on the nose, and flavours of apple, nectarine and peach on the palate.
This Vinsobres wine from the northern tip of the southern Rhône region of France is a smooth, rich, full-bodied wine. A blend of Syrah and Grenache grape varieties, it has aromas of cherry, raspberry and vanilla on the nose, leading to blackberry, cassis, liquorice and chocolate on the palate. It is a well-balanced wine with notes of garrigue on the finish.
This is a very appealing wine that pairs well with a roast meat dish, or roasted vegetables. Available from Sainsbury’s (£12)
Altolandon Mil Historias Bobal 2020, Manchuela (Spain)
Though not very well-known internationally, Bobal is Spain’s second most-planted red varietal after Tempranillo and this wine from Manchuela in South East Spain is a fine example of this less familiar grape variety.
An appealing wine with herbaceous and black fruit aromas on the nose, and flavours of cherry, plum, blackberry, and raisins on the palate. It is a smooth, medium-bodied wine with medium tannins and medium acidity, and will make an ideal match for the complex blend of flavours associated with a traditional Christmas lunch, or a nut roast. Available from Cambridge Wine Merchants (£14.99)
The lusciously sweet Samos Vin Doux is another treat for the palate. Golden in colour, and made from Muscat grapes, it has aromas of honeysuckle, apricots and peaches, and flavours of honey, stone fruits and butterscotch. A smooth, wonderfully balanced wine, this is a perfect match for dessert. Available from Waitrose (£9.99)
Merry Christmas!
Look out for more wine suggestions from around the world in 2025. Cheers!
A full-bodied wine, smooth, elegant and balanced, with velvety tannins and a lingering finish
Agiorgitiko, Kanakaris, Peloponnese 2022 (Greece)
This Agiorgitiko wine from Aigialeia in the northwestern Peloponnese is a fine example of one of Greece’s best-known grape varieties. It is produced by the third generation of the Kanakaris family, one of Greece’s foremost winemakers.Â
Deep ruby in colour, it has aromas of blackberry, cherry, coffee and vanilla on the nose, and flavours of blackberry, plum, strawberry jam, cinnamon and liquorice on the palate. It is a full-bodied wine, smooth, elegant and balanced, with velvety tannins and a lingering finish.Â
Enjoy with red meat dishes, notably lamb, roasted vegetables or mature cheese.Â
Available from Cambridge Wine Merchants (£19.95)
