There are stacks of special offers at the moment in most supermarkets, but sometimes it’s also worth looking at some different drinks for the busy and sociable festive period.
Here are some suggestions – with a range of budgets and also some rather splendid treats.
JP Chenet
is a family owned company and now the leading wine brand – not just in France, but also, apparently, the world. You’ll no doubt be familiar with those wonky shaped necks on the bottles, but the company has recently announced that it has a redesigned bottle for the first time since 1984 and it’s 30% lighter (410g) and 30% lower CO₂.
An investment in a new production line with a capacity of over 300,000 bottles per day means we’ll be seeing a lot more of this wine in future.
And that’s a good thing as it’s excellent value for money and surprisingly good quality for the price point.
Widely available in most major supermarkets from around £6.50 a bottle.
35 South,
the emblematic Chilean wine brand, has recently introduced three new signature wines: Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 (£7.50 rrp) Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (£7.75 rrp), and Merlot 2024 (£7.75 rrp).
The name marks a real place; the 35th Parallel South in Chile’s Central Valley, the Andes to the east, and the Pacific Ocean breathing cool air from the west, producing high quality grapes that make delicious wines.
35 South wines are now available at Sainsbury’s and Morrisons across the UK
Tasteheads
SPAR’s Tasteheads range has been crafted to take the guesswork out of finding your favourite bottle on the wine aisle. Labels highlight the grape and flavour, so you can go for the grape you know you enjoy, or be guided by the tasting notes.
This new range – which covers a selection of reds, whites and a rosé – has also scooped up prestigious IWSC, IWC and Decanter awards, proving that these affordable wines (£7.99 a bottle) offer impressive quality too.
Maison Calvet
is one of the oldest wine houses in Bordeaux and has carried its winemaking know-how through the generations for over 200 years.
Calvet Cuvée du Cap Sauvignon Blanc is a lively white with a generous palate, white peach and lime aromas. The long citrus finish of this wine pairs beautifully with seafood, enhancing the delicate flavours of shellfish and adding a refreshing lift.
Great value at £9 a bottle from Waitrose and Ocado.
Tesco Finest Chablis
A rather special white wine to start the meal on Christmas Day is a delicious Chablis and this one from Tesco is a standout wine for the main event.
Tesco Finest Chablis Premier Cru, a Gold IWC medal winner, brings crisp minerality and citrus brightness to complement classic roast turkey, herby seasonal sides, or a delicious nut roast.
Partially oaked, this wine is a more intense, complex style of Chablis that holds its own alongside a Christmas feast.
£24 a bottle but let’s face it, it’s only Christmas Day once a year.
Rethinking Vouvray
I don’t know about you, but I’ve always thought that Vouvray wines were rather on the sweet side. I’m delighted to have been proved wrong on this, and would suggest that you, too, revise any similar misconceptions and try one of the Vouvrays this Christmas.
In the heart of the Loire Valley, AOC Vouvray’s vineyards benefit from a unique terroir, producing exceptional wines made almost exclusively from the Chenin Blanc grape. Vouvray is capable of expressing a full spectrum – from dry and medium-dry whites to sparkling and luscious sweet wines.
Take yourself into a good independent wine shop and seek their advice – Vouvrays generally aren’t cheap, but for flavour and versatility you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Great Cava
I’m a great fan of Cava and the Condesa de Flores Cava Brut is made from local grapes grown near Barcelona, using the Traditional Method and further aged in cool dark caves situated under the winery to produce an elegant wine with delicate mousse and fresh apple and citrus flavours.
It’s a great match for seafood and savoury canapes and at just £5.75 a bottle from Tesco is a steal – and an ideal party wine.
A Great Gin from Down Under
I’ve recently discovered a gin that is one of the best I’ve tasted in a very long time.
What’s more, it’s so packed with flavour that it makes the most sensational dry martini.
Papa Salt Coastal Gin (42.8% ABV) was co-created by actress Margot Robbie, and blends zesty citrus with peppercorn and subtle Australian botanicals. It gives you a citrus hit, a hint of warmth and then a very subtle ‘something else’. Is that salt, or is it the oyster shell?
Look out for the strikingly different blue bottle for around £39 a bottle in Tesco (£31 Tesco clubcard price) and other supermarkets.
And make sure you share it with a fellow gin aficionado.
An Excellent Dram
And it wouldn’t be Christmas without a snifter or two of whisky – and you’ll need to have some in stock for any ‘first footers’ at New Year.
For nearly two centuries, Old Pulteney has been revered for its unmistakable maritime character. The distillery’s enduring spirit is a tribute to the rugged Caithness coastline that has inspired generations of craftsmanship.
Old Pulteney has a host of accolades to its name, and the rather smooth and delicious 12 Years Old is a great ‘dram’ for the festive period. It’s an elegant Highland malt with a deep amber colour and slightly pink hue. With floral and citrus notes it’s bright, and brings a subtle sweetness from the use of sherry casks sprinkled with sea salt notes.
It’s normally around £40 a bottle, but currently on offer at £27.50 at Waitrose until the New Year.
For Non Drinkers
And for those of us with a non drinker to consider, the leading French 0% wine brand Moderato has recently launched a Chardonnay variant crafted from 100% Chardonnay grapes grown in the heart of Gascony.
Moderato Cuvée Révolutionnaire – Chardonnay is a limited-edition white wine that is surprisingly rich and has depth. Using gentle, low-temperature de-alcoholisation, Moderato preserves the wine’s natural body and aromatic complexity – resulting in a full-flavoured pour with a hint of French finesse. Expect notes of white peach, citrus and toasted almond, with a smooth, rounded finish.
£14.50 a bottle from Wise Bartender.
Nozeco Buck’s Fizz
Start celebrations early with a Christmas fizz. Ideal for Christmas morning or festive brunches and it will leave you sober enough to cook that turkey. Vibrant citrus notes with lively bubbles.
£4, (Morrisons and on offer at £3 currently) (£4.50 Ocado)
Whatever you imbibe over Christmas and New Year, I hope you enjoy it and are able to spend it with friends and family.
Happy Christmas!
