WHAT TO DRINK AT CHRISTMAS 2014

CANAPES & BUBBLY

Whether you enjoy tasty canapés or crisps or nuts you can’t let Christmas day go past without a glass or two of bubbly. Some nibbles and a glass of Prosecco is the perfect way to give everyone a lift, whet the appetite and get the festive food orgy underway.

Great news is that quality Prosecco is plentiful at under a tenner and you can buy a double silver medal winner from Aldi at £7.49, Valdobbiadene Prosecco Spumante DOCG (it’s the one with the silver label).

Good Prosecco is not just as dry as champagne as it has a hint of fruitiness. Go Italian with a Bellini made from Prosecco and peach juice  or make a Kir Royale by adding a little splash of Crème de Cassis liqueur. Readily available from supermarkets a 50cl bottle Crème De Cassis will add just a touch of sweetness and if you keep the bottle in the bottom of your fridge it should last for yonks.

If you want to push the boat out, then go traditional and serve champagne really well chilled. Most supermarkets have their own brands around £15 per bottle or you could jump up to a Grand Marque such as Veuve Clicquot or Taittinger are excellent champagnes around £35 with Lanson Black Label, Piper Heidseick and Pommery in the £25 to £30 price range. If you are looking for something which is almost as good as champagne at around a tenner, why not try Jacobs Creek chardonnay pinot noir which is a brilliant methode champenoise and won’t disappoint or try Philippe Michel Crémant du Jura 2012 from France at Aldi.

 

STARTERS

My rule for starters is always to serve white wines which are dry and light. A good sauvignon blanc from New Zealand, a Verdejo from Spain or a Viognier from Chile or Australia are good new world choices. Sauvignon blanc with its’ dry minerally flavour and a touch of citrus, is ideal with smoked salmon, prawns or cured meats. Closer to home try a steely Sancerre from the Loire or choose an Italian option by going straight for a Gavi di Gavi and avoiding an inconsistent pinot grigio.

To serve something really special on Christmas day, you can dig a bit deeper into your pocket and go for a clean and light chardonnay from Burgundy such as Rully, Mercurey or Montagny. Personally I prefer a softer style and Macon-Lugny a favourite which benefits from a slightly lower price. Another good choice is a steely Sancerre from the Loire.

MAINS

Main courses at Christmas mainly fall into two categories roast turkey and the rest. Looking at wine options to go with roast turkey, chipolatas, pigs in blankets, rich gravy, sprouts, roast potatoes, cranberry sauce and sundry accoutrements raises quite a challenge. Normally you would associate white wines or light red wines such as pinot noir with white meats but with all those strong tastes going on at once you need something with a fuller body. Why not go for something special from the Rhone Valley such as Chateau Neuf Du Pape. 2006, 2009 and 2012 have been hailed as exceptional years for Rhone wines and Chateau Neuf Du Pape If you like something a bit lighter with a touch of oak and vanilla, why not try a Spanish Rioja, especially a Reserva or a Gran Reserva which are smooth, rich and complex. There is a fantastic Rioja Reserva listed below. If you have a penchant for Italy a Chianti Classico could fit the bill.

If you have opted out of roast turkey and will enjoy a juicy steak or a nice rich steak pie New World reds will provide that mouth filling rich fruity flavours with touches of oak and tannin which compliment red meats. Why not seek out a cabernet sauvignon from Chile or Australia, a Malbec from Argentina, a Pinotage from South Africa or a weightier Shiraz from the Barossa Valley, Australia Oz. Carmenère from Chile and Argentina is the new up and coming grape with lots of flavour and round soft tannins. Returning to Europe a smooth Barolo, Amarone or Primitivo from Italy can provide a soft full bodied alternative or a big wine from the Rhone - Vaqueyras, Crozes Hermitage, Gigondas or the heavy weight St Joseph.

PUDDINGS

There is nothing better to go with puddings than a sweet white wine. Top of the tree comes Beaumes de Venise or Sauternes from France or an Ice-wine from Austria or Canada which are best served well chilled. The ripe, unctuous sweet flavours offer a complex compliment to most desserts. Alternatives from Oz are available and I recommend the Brown Brothers Orange Muscat & Flora. If you are looking for something different go no further than a well chilled bottle of Asti Spumanti which will bring another sparkle to the festivities and washes down a pavlova perfectly.

CHEESE & AFTERS

When the digestive system starts to cope with the previous 4 courses there is always room for a nibble from the cheese board with a bunch of ripe red grapes. Wines to follow are really a personal choice depending on the cheeses available. A glass or two of a full bodied red wine or rich tawny port can finish the meal perfectly. There are a number of very good Port houses which offer a range of tawny, LBV or vintage ports which will do the job. You really can’t go wrong with Noval, Taylor’s or Cockburn’s ports which are widely available.

TO FINISH

If you have not succumbed to that warm, cosy after meal siesta then there’s always time for another port or a warm, smooth and mouth filling malt whisky. If like me you prefer smooth, round whiskies with a sweeter aspect opt for a dram from Scotland’s most northerly distillery in Orkney, where a 12 year old Highland park will do the job nicely. A hearty Glenfarclas 15 year old from Speyside, a smooth lightly peated 12 year old Bunnahabhain from Islay or an even lighter 12 year old Aberfeldy from the Highlands are superb alternatives. If you want to push the boat out and have deep pockets there is a wide selection of great malts which have matured well into their teens and early twenties. Three that top my list without being overly expensive are 18 years olds from Smith’s Glenlivet, Highland Park or Glenfarclas.

SOME WELL TRIED & TESTED RECOMMENDATIONS

BUBBLY

Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG - Aldi £7.49

 Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdobbiadene is the DOCG title given to the finest Prosecco wines made in the Veneto wine region of north-eastern Italy. This a fine example of Prosecco which won silver medals at the 2012 and 2013 Wine & Spirit International challenge.

Jacob's Creek Chardonnay Pinot Noir Brut Cuvée, Australia – NV

Made with bottle fermentation, this bubbly is almost as good as champagne.  Normally sold at £10.00 at Sainsbury's, Waitrose and Asda

Philippe Michel Crémant du Jura 2012 from France - Aldi £7.29

A lovely sparkling chardonnay from the Jura region of France. This is a proper wine which comes in Krug-like bottle. Very stylish and will impress.

Comte De Senneval Brut Champagne, France - NV

Favoured as the champagne bargain of 2014 this dry and highly drinkable wine is available at only £11.99 from LIDL.

WHITES

Concha Y Toro Marques de Casa Chardonnay, Limara Valley, Chile - 2009

This gold medal winner was declared the best chardonnay in the world (under £15). Available from both Tesco and Morrisons at £9.99 and £11.99

Viñas Vengo Verdejo, Rueda, Spain - 2013

This golden wine is beautifully fresh, lemony with a definite honey nose. The Verdejo grape gives a floral taste followed by hints of tropical fruit. There is a fresh balance acid feeling in the mouth ending in a lovely finish. great with sea food it has qualities which you wouldn't expect from a wine under a fiver. Available from Aldi at only £4.79.

Wairau Cove Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand - 2013

This is a cracking, crisp dry white bursting with gooseberry fruit aromas and passion fruit flavours.  Reduced at Tesco to £5.49

Cave de Lugny Les Charmes, Mâcon-Lugny, France - 2012

A typical  white Burgundy made from the chardonnay grape. It is well balanced with subtle fruit and a refreshing finish. Available at Waitrose £10.50

Errazuriz Wild Ferment Chardonnay, Casablanca Valley, Chile – 2012

This beautiful wine is unbelievably well balanced, with subtle tropical peach, apricot and melon peach. Subtle oak characters, a touch of acidity and a great finish. Available at Majestic at £10.99 (on offer)

Hardy's Nottage Hill Chardonnay, Australia - 2012

An old fashioned Aussie Chard which is full bodied, dry with loads of rich tropical fruit and melon flavours. Lovely big chardonnay available from Asda at £5.00 or Sainsbury's £6.00

REDS

Faustino I Gran Reserva Rioja, Spain – 2001  - Top Red Recommendation

This impressive Rioja came first in Decanters Top 50 reds. It is a sophisticated wine which a magnificent Rioja. Pale Victoria plum in colour with a mahogany rim and complex aromas of plums and raspberries combined with hints of cedar, vanilla and spice. This wine is smooth and velvety on the palate with a hint of vanilla on the finish. Asda £14.97 Sainsbury's £14 and Costco £14.20 (when you buy 6 bottles)

Aldi Argentinian Malbec , Argentina – 2012

This is an award winning stunner for the money with plenty of sweet black fruit, with a nice finish. Definitely benefits from decanting and opening for a couple of hours to break the natural Malbec tannins. A bit of a bargain at £5.99.

Cono Sur Bicicleta Pinot Noir, Chile – 2011

Something lighter which goes perfectly with chicken, turkey or lamb you should try this light fruity Pinot Noir which full of the flavours of cherry, plum and strawberry, finished with a subtle spiciness. Currently reduced at Asda to £5.00

Stella Bella Shiraz, Margaret River, Western Australia - 2008/9

A smashing Ozzie red for a special occasion. A dark chocolaty shiraz with loads of fruit, a touch of Viognier to soften the tannins and a great finish. Available from Alliance Wines in Beith for around £18.00

ASDA Extra Special Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia - 2012

This wine is intensely rich, minty and aromatic and packed with ripe blackcurrant flavours.

A great partner to roast meats and winter casseroles.

Cousino-Macul, Antiguas Cabernet Sauvignon, Maipo Valley, Chile - 2011

Cousino-Macul is a mighty name in Chile and is an old friend. This wine is like a ripe, heavy and powerful Bordeaux, making it a good match for roasts. It will also age well for two to three years and definitely benefits from decanting 2 or 3 hours before drinking. It’s on a great deal at majestic for £10.65, or £15.98 for two (as part of a mixed case)

Mayu Sangiovese, Chile –2012

A lovely soft, medium bodied, red wine has a touch of peppery spice and a satisfying finish. This great medal winning wine goes with almost all meats. Reduced at Asda to only £5.00

DESSERT & PORT

Brown Brothers Orange Muscat & Flora 2009 Australia

Great sticky to go with dessert priced around £5.99 for a half bottle at Waitrose & Ocado, Tesco £6.99 and Morrisons £5.99

Asti Martini Spumanti, Italy – NV

An excellent medium sweet bubbly to go with Pavlova. Asda £6.00 and Morrisons £6.99

Noval Late Bottled Vintage Port, Portugal - 2007

Intense, rich, dark, red port with ripe aromas of cherries and blackberries – Tesco & Ocado

Graham’s Late Bottled Vintage Port, Portugal - 2009

This gorgeous port has a lovely velvety texture, and deep fruitiness but also a fresh berry taste. On special at Waitrose for £10 and Tesco for £9.

Taylor's 10 Year Old Tawny Port, Portugal – NV

A rich, mellow old tawny port with an intense complex nose from years of ageing in oak casks. Widely available and cheaper than last year.  Tesco and Sainsbury's £18, Waitrose £22 Majestic £19.99 as part of a mixed case.

Cheers & Enjoy but drink sensibly.

 

Stonefield World of Travel

Sommeliers & Gourmands of Distinction