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
