For something a little different this New Year, this Grüner Veltliner white wine from Niederösterreich (Lower Austria) serves as an excellent aperitif and is a very good match for a seafood dish. A dry wine with medium (+) acidity, it has aromas of apple, pear, lemon and grapefruit, with a hint of pepper and peach on the palate. It is well-balanced and has a long finish, and is a very good example of the high-quality yet reasonably priced wines you can find from Austria these days. Waitrose £12.49
Carménère 2019, Rapel Valley (Chile) M&S Classics 27
This M&S Classic Carménère 2019 is a very good example of Chile’s signature wine variety. A dry wine with medium (+) acidity, medium (+) tannins and medium (+) body, it has pronounced aromas of blackcurrant and blackberry with notes of vanilla, cedar and menthol on the nose; and hints of chocolate, spice and plum on the palate. The wine has a medium (+) finish and will pair very well with a hearty meat dish and/or roasted vegetables. It’s a steal at £8. Marks & Spencer.
Le Sabbie Dell’Etna Rosso, DOC Etna 2018 (Italy)
Italian wines never fail to surprise (and delight) me, and this is a little gem. Dry, with high acidity and medium tannins, this wine from the slopes of Sicily’s Mt Etna is a blend of Nerrelo Mascalese and Nerrelo Cappucio, and has pronounced aromas of redcurrant and red cherry, with hints of cedar and a touch of earthiness, on the nose, and intense flavours of raspberry and redcurrant, spice and cloves on the palate. A medium-bodied wine with a medium (+) finish. If you are looking for something to brighten up your new year, this is it! Waitrose (£12.99)
Although this year you may not be having quite as many family and friends coming to visit over the Christmas period, you’ll still want to have a few choice wines to enjoy with your food as well as a few bottles to savour when you’re watching your Christmas favourites or simply chilling out.
Apéritifs
If sherry is your pre-prandial tipple, the Don Gaspar Dry Amontillado Lustau from Waitrose (£11.99) has a pleasant nutty and dried fruit flavour on the palate with a hint of tanginess. Perfect with cured meats, manchego and olives.
Tesco’s Finest Prosecco Valdobbiadene DOCG is very good value at £10. Produced from grapes grown on the steep limestone hills northwest of Venice, this is a refreshing sparkling wine with flavours of apple, pear and peach, and a smooth, lively fizz.
Or why not try a Monbazillac sweet white wine? The Château de Géraud, Monbazillac 2014 is a delightful blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle grapes. Soft and well-rounded, this dessert wine serves equally well as an apéritif. Cambridge Wine Merchants (£13.99).
White wines
Though Sancerre or Pouilly Fumé wines are particular favourites of mine generally, notwithstanding any possible bias, the Pouilly Fumé Domaine Masson-Blondelet 2019 is a very good wine. Dry, with high acidity and flavours of apple, gooseberry, melon and a hint of minerality, this will match perfectly with white meat and fish dishes. Waitrose (£15.99)
The St Aubin Premier Cru Domaine Thomas 2018 white Burgundy is a very good wine with flavours of lemon, lime and peach, and buttery, toasty undertones. A well-balanced wine, it has a textual richness that will handle the multitude of flavours associated with a festive turkey (or other richly flavoured dishes) perfectly well if you prefer white wine with your main. Waitrose (£25.99).
Sainsbury’sTaste the Difference Marques de Almeida Albariño is a steal at £8.50. With fragrant fruity aromas and flavours of peach and tropical fruits, this is a dry, light and crisp wine that goes well with smoked salmon, and is perfectly fine by itself.
Red wines
With all the complex interplay of flavours associated with a traditional Christmas turkey lunch, a wine with lower tannins will cope better. The finely balanced tannin and acidity of the Mud House Pinot Noir 2019 from Central Otago in New Zealand has the fresh fruit flavours and dash of spice to be an excellent match for your turkey and trimmings. Majestic Wine (£13.99/ £10.99 Mix Six); Waitrose (£10.99)
A Beaujolais will go well with duck and this Fleurie Beaujolais 2018 Georges Duboeuf is tried and tested. A light, refreshing medium-bodied wine with medium acidity, the intense fruity flavours of raspberry and strawberry stand up well to the strong flavour of the meat. Majestic Wine (£12.99/ £10.99 Mix Six)
For something bolder, this Bardos Romantica Ribera del Duero 2017(Crianza) Spanish Tempranillo is a very good full-bodied wine with intense black fruit flavours and a hint of spice and vanilla from the barrel ageing. It will hold its own with roast beef or similar strong flavours. Majestic Wine (£14.99 / £11.99 Mix Six)
Dessert wines
Christmas, especially this Christmas, is a time for indulgence. And what nicer indulgence than a glass of port? Taylor’s 10-year old Tawny Port has a fruity, nutty flavour to be enjoyed with cheese, dessert or post-lunch while watching the Queen’s speech. Well, anytime really. Waitrose (£22.49)
Another treat isthe Hungarian Disznókö Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos 2017 from Waitrose (£19.99). This is a well-balanced, very good wine with flavours of peach, dried apricot, honey and orange peel. A perfect match for cheese or dessert.
Or perhaps a Sauternes? Les Garonelles, Sauternes 2017 is a blend of Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle grapes. With flavours of passionfruit and apricot , it is an elegant, well-balanced wine which is a perfect pairing for dessert. Great Wine Co. (£11.50 half bottle).
Merry Christmas! Look out for more wine suggestions from around the world in 2021. Cheers!
