WHAT TO DRINK AT CHRISTMAS 2015

WHAT TO DRINK AT CHRISTMAS 2015

CANAPES & BUBBLY

Although I have moved house and still not got me cellar into shape I have found time to update my Christmas wine blog recommendations.

Whether you enjoy canapés or some of those  tasty prawns in light Japanese batter you can’t let Christmas day go past without a glass or two of bubbly. Some nibbles and a glass or two of Champagne or 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 still buy some excellent bottles at Aldi, Tesco and the Coop. One of my favourites is the  double silver medal winner from Aldi at £7.49, Valdobbiadene Prosecco Spumante DOCG (it’s the one with the silver label). If you want to get one over on your wine drinking friends The Crémant de Jura at Aldi has won 3 medals this year. Not only is it in a beautifully shaped bottle (it will definitely impress) but it has been recommended by Olly Smith who says ' it’s astonishing and this lemony fizz has finesse and the delicate texture of thousands of tiny bubbles.

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 will give dozens of pink drinks.

If you want to push the boat out, then go traditional and serve champagne well chilled. Most supermarkets have their own brands from around £10 to £20 per bottle. Try Andre Carpentier Champagne Non Vintage at Tesco for only £10.00 or you could jump up to a Grand Marque such as Veuve Clicquot or Taittinger are excellent champagnes around £39 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.

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. 2007, 2010 and 2012 have been hailed as exceptional years for Rhone wines and Chateau Neuf Du Pape

My recommendation, 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 are several fantastic Rioja Reservas 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.

NEW 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, but is available at £8.00 from Tesco and only £7.00 from Asda

Crémant du Jura 2013, 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. Recommended by Olly Smith Very stylish and will impress.

Andre Carpentier Champagne, France  - NV

You won't find a decent champagne anywhere else to beat Andre Carpentier Champagne, priced at Tesco for only £10.00. described by Tesco as a fruity nose with  delicate aromas of white fruits and a hint of brioche. Fresh palate, powerful and well-balanced.

Les Pionniers NV Champagne, France - NV

Rated the top supermarket champagne by Which magazine. This is a cracker for £17.99 from the Co-operative

WHITES

Concha Y Toro Marques de Casa Chardonnay, Limara Valley, Chile - 2012

This gold medal winner was declared the best chardonnay in the world (under £15) in 2013. This is a beautiful big round and fruity chardonnay, available from Tesco at £8.00

Paul Mas Clairette, IGP Pays d’Oc, France 2014

Something different from France which is ripe and round with a mix of blossom and ripe peach and pear cut with citrus (£8, Morrisons)

The Exquisite Collection Clare Valley Riesling, Australia 2014 (£6.99)

Few wines are more invigoratingly direct and thirst quenching than the dry Rieslings made in South Australia’s Clare Valley. Aldi has picked a real beaut' for under a tenner with a hit of lime juice and citrus and definite floral notes.

Mâcon-Villages Blanc 'Les Pierres Blanches' 2014 Cave de Lugny

One of the top ten whites from Majestic this chardonnay is a good Burgundy where apple and citrus predominate on the palate along with a hint of pear, finishing on a lovely mineral streak. Great with seafood, whole salmon or chicken. Available at majestic for £7.98 as part of a mixed case

Errazuriz Wild Ferment Chardonnay, Casablanca Valley, Chile – 2014

This beautiful wine is unbelievably well balanced, with subtle tropical stone fruit in the form of apricot and peach mingling with subtle oak characters and a rich creaminess Available at Majestic at £8.65 (on offer)

Hardy's Nottage Hill Chardonnay, Australia - 2014

An old fashioned Aussie Chard which is full bodied, dry with loads of rich tropical fruit and melon flavours. A lovely big chardonnay which will age well over 2 or 3 years. Available from Asda at £5.00 or Sainsbury's £6.00 and at £8 everywhere else.

REDS

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

This impressive Rioja came first in Decanters Top 50 reds last year. It is so good I have recommended it again this year. It is sophisticated wine, 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. Available at Asda and Sainsbury's at £14

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 Reserva Especial Pinot Noir, Chile – 2014

Something lighter which goes perfectly with chicken, turkey or lamb you should try this smashing fruity Pinot Noir which full of the flavours of cherry, plum and strawberry. Currently reduced at Morrisons to £6.00

Concha Y Toro Marques de Casa Syrah, Chile - 2011

A big round velvety wine from Chile with a deep scarlet colour with very ripe and intense aromas of blackberries and black cherries. Concentrated raspberry and plum flavours with coffee and mocha in the long finish. A powerful Smooth & graceful Syrah bursting with bright fruit. Available from Tesco at £8.00 and Morrisons at £10.00

William Hardy Shiraz, Langhorne Creek, Australia - 2013/14

As a rule, I very rarely recommend Hardy's wines but this shiraz is an exception. It is  full-bodied, rounded with intense fruit flavours of fresh blackberry & mulberry accompanied by rich black pepper & vanilla spice. Available at Tesco for £6.50.

Campo Viejo Rioja Gran Reserva, Spain

Yet another great Gran Reserva which is complex and silky smooth wine. Ruby-red colour with a gold tinged rim. It retains the ripe red-berry fruit aromas of blackberries, blueberries and black plums extraordinarily well. Gradually it opens up to reveal smoky, toasted wood nuances, with spices and hints of minerals and tobacco. Benefits from decanting and well priced at Sainsbury for £12. Can also be found cheaper on Ocado and at Tesco

Tesco Finest Argentina Malbec Mendoza Argentina - 2014

Packed with plump, juicy black cherries, here’s a bright New World fruit bomb, not too heavy or over-sweet. A good medal winning wine to serve on its own, or match with steak or rich pasta bakes. Reduced at Tesco to only £5.00

DESSERT & PORT

Brown Brothers Orange Muscat & Flora 2012 Australia

Great sticky to go with dessert priced around £5.59 for a half bottle at Waitrose & £6.74 at Majestic

Asti Martini Spumanti, Italy – NV

An excellent medium sweet bubbly to go with Pavlova. Tesco £6.50 £6.00 and Morrisons £6.00

Graham’s Late Bottled Vintage Portugal - 2009

This gorgeous port has a lovely velvety texture, and deep fruitiness but also a fresh berry taste. On special at Sainsbury 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, Asda, Morrisons & Sainsbury £16, Majestic £16.66 as part of a mixed case.

Cheers & Enjoy but drink sensibly.

 

Stonefield World of Travel

Sommeliers & Gourmands of Distinction