This festive period, delight guests by adding a show-stopping wine to your Christmas feast, Boxing Day buffet, New Year’s celebration, or simply surprise a loved one with the gift of an exceptionally crafted bottle or gift set from one of the world’s most exciting wine regions.
From New Zealand to California and Australia to France, we have an impressive selection of wines to showcase this festive season, so if you’re looking for that special bottle to pair with your meal, celebrate with or gift, read on to discover your next favourite red, white, rosé or sparkling tipple.
Red
Vandenberg Melee Black Label Shiraz Cabernet 2019
Deep crimson with a vibrant and intense nose with black fruits and ripe cherry, this wine becomes more earthy on the palate with plush berries and toasted spice, layered over cassis and dark chocolate. It’s a wonderful wine, made even better with a generous serving of Aberdeen Angus beef, heaps of leafy greens and crispy roast potatoes.
Price: £10.50
Where to buy: coop.co.uk
Artan Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Made from vineyards within the fossilised limestone land of Coonawarra, this beautiful wine has been crafted to be a high-quality example of the much-loved Cabernet Sauvignon. Vibrant and intense on the nose with black fruits and ripe cherry aromatics, it has expressive flavours of cassis and mulberry, complemented by juicy black fruits for which the region is renowned. A perfect partner for lamb chops, or a slowly cooked braised ragu.
Price: £11.50
Where to buy: shop.coop.co.uk
Ribera del Duero 2019, Torres Celeste Crianza
A lovely dark cherry red colour wine with subtle warm toasty glints, expect a clean aromatic expression, with notes of flowers and black fruit over smoky, toasty undertones. Well-constructed and with the substance of a great wine, supported by the clean, spiced oak from its good ageing, this is a luscious and wonderfully velvety offering.
Given its smooth, silky tannins and fruit concentration, the Celeste Crianza pairs beautifully with all kinds of red meat, chorizo, and aged cheeses, perfect for a Boxing Day feast.
Price: £13.99
Where to buy: waitrosecellar.com
Ribera del Duero 2016, Abadia La Arroyada, Crianza Ultracomida
Polished, rich and delicious with ripe blueberries, cherries, strawberries, coconut and bay leaves with chocolate on the nose, this medium to full-bodied wine offers firm, ripe tannins. Made from 100% Tempranillo, this wine pairs well with all types of cured cheeses and red meats, making it your perfect cheeseboard accompaniment.
Price: £15.95
Where to buy: ultracomida.co.uk
The Ned Pinot Noir
Hailing from Marlborough, this wine offers a vivid bouquet of ripe berry fruits and dark sweet cherry that deepens with the presence of complex oak spice and toasty notes. On the palate, the opulent red and black fruits are supported by supple tannins that transition into a seamless finish. Serve alongside a slow–roasted pork shoulder, with dark gravy and all the trimmings.
Price: £16
Where to buy: ocado.com
Clarendelle by Domaine Clarence Dillon
Clarendelle, the 2023 official wine partner of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, is the Bordeaux’s first premium family of wine. American financier Clarence Dillon visited Bordeaux in 1934 and fell in love with world famous Château Haut-Brion and Clarendelle is the initiative of Clarence Dillon’s great grandson, Prince Robert of Luxembourg.
This is a superb Médoc, using quality grapes from their impressive portfolio of properties so as to express the very best of an excellent vintage. Expect aromas of ripe blackcurrant and plum with hints of chocolate and forest floor, and taste-wise, rounded tannins support ripe fruits with mocha spice and cedar. It’s a fine wine to pair with red meat.
Price: £19.99
Where to buy: laithwaites.co.uk
Domaine de la Métairie d’Alon Pinot Noir Village 2019 (organic)
Displaying a beautiful cherry colour in the glass, the nose evokes summer gardens and hedgerows, with red berry notes mingling with peony and rose and married with the warmth of ginger. Belying its southerly location, this elegant wine charms with a fresh, yet round palate lifted by liquorice and white pepper. Elegant and long, this is a superb Pinot Noir for festive fine dining.
Pour for drinks party guests to sip with antipasti platters, enjoy at the table with roasted game birds or partner with a comfort food winter risotto with mushrooms and a drizzle of truffle oil.
Price: £19.99 or £17.99 mix six
Where to buy: majestic.co.uk
Château de Ferrand 2019 Grand Cru Classé St-Emilion
Château de Ferrand’s 2019 will make an excellent gift for Merlot enthusiasts and budding collectors alike. Expect bright bramble fruit with baking spices and cedar on the nose, and a floral freshness which adds to its refined and elegant style. Hailing from a celebrated vintage, this bottle is a great addition to any cellar, where it will undoubtably improve in the years to come.
Price: £20
Where to buy: laywheeler.com
Domaine Bousquet Organic Gran Malbec, Gualtallary, Argentina 2021
The Gran Malbec is made with hand-selected organic grapes from Domaine Bousquet’s vineyards in Alto Gualtallary, Tupungato – one of the highest in Mendoza. Aged in French oak barrels for 12 months, this wine is composed of 85% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot and 5% Syrah. The palate has a velvety texture, with soft round tannins, and notes of blackberry, spice and truffle contributing to a complex and exquisite wine. A perfect match to red meats, a cheeseboard and chocolate-based desserts.
Price: £21
Where to buy: vintageroots.co.uk
Origen de Resalte Crianza, 2019
Origen de Resalte is produced from more than 30-year-old Tempranillo vineyards with yields under 4,500 kg/hectares and located across six different villages of Ribera del Duero DO. A wide range of soils, altitudes and sunlight exposure provides this wine with complexity, which is full of finesse, fruity notes of blackberry, cherry and liquorice enveloped in exquisitely integrated oak. A full-bodied palate with ripe tannins finishes with textured, long-lasting depth.
Price: £25.99
Where to buy: strictlywine.co.uk
Domaine de la Métairie d’Alon Pinot Noir ‘Solaire’ 2017 (organic)
Expect a beautifully deep coloured wine with a savoury, earthy quality with notes of the forest floor, peat and a floral fragrance. This initial woodland character develops into an altogether richer, fruitier aroma with raspberry liqueur, ripe cherry and hint of dark chocolate. Balanced to perfection on the palate, this wine is full bodied yet elegant, with a generously silky mouthfeel with notes of rhubarb and a hint of liquorice.
A wine for fine dining over the festive season, this is the perfect match if serving red meat at the Christmas table. With a depth and richness of flavour which belies its elegance, this wine would happily partner a rare roast beef fillet or an Ottolenghi inspired middle eastern lamb feast.
Price: £26.99 or £23.99 mix six
Where to buy: majestic.co.uk
Ribera del Duero 2019 Crianza Heredad Arano
Bright and lively in appearance with a beautiful cherry red colour, this wine is bursting with intense aromas of black fruit, coffee and pure cocoa and hints of white flowers, which is characteristic of Tempranillo from the Ribera del Duero region of Burgos. It offers a good balance of wood and fruit with a fresh start, passing through silky tannins, giving roundness and structure, while a long finish and full-on palate leaves an intense memory of black fruit. This pairs well with all kinds of meats and fish in sauce.
Price: £28
Where to buy: thesecretcellar.co.uk
J Vineyards Russian River Pinot Noir
A blend of around 100 small plots from across the many varied microclimates of the Russian River Valley in California’s Sonoma county, J Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir captures everything this stunning area has to offer. It is bursting with delicious aromas of rose petal and violet floral notes, joined by ripe cherry, strawberry and baked plum fruits. As the wine opens up in the glass it shows off spice and savoury flavours of gingerbread, forest floor and soft leather, making this a truly high-class and complex wine.
This wine makes for a fabulous accompaniment to a variety of cuisines, including miso-glazed salmon or mushroom-based dishes like wild mushroom galette, chicken marsala or grilled portobello and Gruyère cheese-burger. For a cheese pairing, try goats’ cheese with spiced cherry compote. With Christmas just around the corner, the complex range of flavours and refreshing acidity also makes this a wonderful pairing with goose, turkey, pork, or nut roast.
Price: £29.99
Where to buy: waitrose.com
Bolney Wine Estate’s Pinot Noir
With mouth-watering flavours of blackcurrant and ripe fresh fig and notes of dark cherry and white pepper, this is an elegant medium bodied wine with a silky texture and good ageing potential, which will allow development of more complex fruit flavours. It has the ability to pair with a range of dishes including roasted guineafowl, butternut squash dauphinoise and creamy goats’ cheese.
Price: £30
Where to buy: bolneywineestate.com
Alvides Tercera Generación 2018
Alvides Tercera Generación 2018 is clean and bright, and on the nose it boasts the typical Ribera del Duero style – big and complex. Over a slight ripe fruit core, you will find spices and tars with a mineral hint, followed by cacao, cocoa and some toffee essences over a very well heated oak. It is vigorous on the mouth with tannins, without being rough, and boasts an extraordinary balance of acidity and alcohol with a long finish. This is a fine wine that will experience a slow evolution and show velvety sensations in the mouth over time.
Price: £31.99
Where to buy: thewineryuk.com
Lafon-Rochet 2014
While hailing from Bordeaux’s Left Bank, Lafon-Rochet is situated on clay-rich soils that provide a freshness and florality. The 2014 shows hints of rose petals that complement its distinctly Saint-Estèphe nose – imparted by the relatively high volume of Merlot in the blend.
Price: £32
Where to buy: laywheeler.com
Petit Vega Ribera del Duero Reserva 2015
Petit Vega Reserva is a very expressive wine that has a broad complex mouth feel but is also quite subtle. On the nose it opens up to reveal cassis, blueberry coulis, liquorice, violet, fresh tobacco, toast, melted dark chocolate, mocha and toast.
Despite its seven years of aging, this still feels youthful and fresh, and crammed full of sweet oak. An hour in the decanter brings out the best in the wine and it pairs well with roast lamb. Alternatively, treat a loved one with an addition to their cellar for many years to come.
Price: £33
Where to buy: waddesdonwine.co.uk
Yangarra ‘Old Vine’ Grenache 2021
Yangarra is a single-vineyard estate situated in Blewitt Springs, at the northern edge of the McLaren Vale region, South Australia. Yangarra’s combination of ancient geology, high altitude and Mediterranean climate provide the ideal growing conditions for the best grape varieties of the southern Rhône.
Its Grenache bush vines were planted in 1946 in a deep sandy dune called The Beach, overlying the North Maslin Sands geological formation. The Old Vine Grenache is a complex, perfumed and elegant wine with a trademark tannin structure. 100% grenache, this biodynamic wine is special.
Price: £33.95
Where to buy: thevinorium.co.uk
Tinto Pesquera Reserva Ribera del Duero 2019
Clean and brilliant with an attractive black cherry hue, this wine is complex and very elegant on the nose with aromas of red and black fruits with balsamic and toasted notes, such as vanilla and liquorice. On the palate it is full, rich and lingering in mouth with silky, enveloping tannins. Tinto Pesquera Reserva is still young and will continue to develop for many years.
Price: £36
Where to buy: highburyvintners.co.uk
Carmelo Rodero Reserva 2019
Carmelo Rodero Reserva 2019 has an intense cherry red colour and on the nose it possesses the highest potential of very ripe fruit, yet fresh, with greater depth in the black fruit aromas and less in red fruits aromas. With a spicy nuance, it is very complex, subtle and elegant. On the palate it is a very sweet wine, with the right density. This wine is balanced, full-bodied and has a delicious lingering aftertaste – delight your guests by serving with red meat.
Price: £37.93
Where to buy: gourmethunters.com
Giant Steps Applejack Pinot Noir 2021
Applejack Vineyard is located on a dramatic slope and is closely planted and fastidiously managed. The basalt based underlying volcanic soil and rock produce a characteristically fine yet extended, spicy and firm palate.
This Pinot Noir is deep purple in colour, the nose opens with a bouquet of maraschino cherry and plum, with some spicy notes and a slight savoury character. It is vibrant, fresh on the palate with silky, ripe tannins and a luscious finish.
Price: £45
Where to buy: thegoodwineshop.co.uk, haywines.co.uk
Château Pédesclaux 2016
A certified organic offering from Bordeaux, Château Pédesclaux’s 2016 vintage was acclaimed by critics for its quintessential Pauillac profile. Now in its prime drinking window, it will elevate a Christmas dish, or can make a thoughtful gift for the discerning wine lover. Expect a velvety and textured feel with smooth tannins, rich fruit and cedar with aromas of ripe blackcurrant, raspberry, graphite and pencil lead, with oak notes.
Price: £50
Where to buy: laithwaites.co.uk
Tenuta Sette Ponti Oreno 2018
For those who appreciate the finesse and complexity of Bordeaux blends with an Italian flair, Tenuta Sette Ponti’s Oreno is as an ideal Christmas gift. This exceptional super Tuscan from Valdarno is created from grapes grown on unusually clay-rich soils that echo those found on the Right Bank.
Price: £52.67
Where to buy: uk.cruworldwine.com
Finca el Otero, 2019 áster
Finca el Otero 2019 is a must-have this Christmas as it accompanies a variety of dishes such as roasted vegetables, red meats, roasted lamb, suckling pig and mature cheeses. Expect a classic and bold Ribera that is complex but approachable. Intense and creamy with black fruits and restrained tannins, it is full-bodied, savoury and food-friendly, with a smooth, elegant entry, a supple, fleshy mid-palate and a pleasant, balanced aftertaste with spicy and balsamic hints. This Ribera del Duero has excellent ageing potential, but its drinkability is such that it can already be enjoyed after a good airing with hearty dishes.
Price: £53.10
Where to buy: vinatis.co.uk
Orma 2021
Orma is the namesake wine from a single-vineyard, certified organic estate in Bolgheri, nestled between two illustrious neighbours, Ornellaia and Sassicaia. Lauded by critics, this Merlot Cabernet blend wine makes a perfect ‘hidden gem’ gift and offers amazing value for its impeccable quality.
Price: £57
Where to buy: justerinis.com
Château d’Issan 2010
Château d’Issan’s illustrious gold label will make the perfect centrepiece to a Christmas day feast. Served at the wedding of Eleanor of Aquitaine and King Henry II of England in 1152, this bottle is fit for royalty – with its history informing the estate’s motto, Regum Mensis Aris Que Deorum – “For the Table of Kings and the Altar of the Gods”.
While offering a story to share with guests, this moat-encircled Margaux Third Growth also creates wines of exquisite quality. Boasting 13 years of age in bottle, the iconic 2010 vintage will enchant guests with notes of tobacco, truffle, and a persistent, saline finish.
Price: £60.60
Where to buy: laywheeler.com
Edouard Delaunay Gevrey Chambertin Le Village 2019
One of Burgundy’s oldest and most renowned villages, Gevrey-Chambertin, produces classic, intense Pinot Noir with great structure and depth and the Delaunay family has a particular penchant for this iconic appellation.
The wine is an opulent, deep red colour, exuding class and presence in the glass. Simultaneously elegant and complex, the nose takes the drinker on an olfactory journey, with spicy and floral notes in the form of pepper and violet voyaging in tandem with cherry, peach and raspberry. Cherry follows through to the palate, where it joins with orange peel and liquorice as well as a hint of ground almonds.
With structure and tannin, this is a wine which will offer immediate drinking pleasure during this festive season and, paired with lean red meat such as venison, it will stand up to the most indulgent of sauces. It will also work perfectly with roast white meats, so is ideal for those in search of a stand-out bottle on Christmas Day, or could be gifted and cellared to allow for future enjoyment.
Price: £65.99 or £57.99 mix six
Where to buy: majestic.co.uk
Quintessa 2020
Hailing from Napa Valley, this 86.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 4.5% Carmenere, and 2% Petit Verdot wine enters on a core of cassis, black cherry and currants enveloped by clove spice and savoury dried herbs. Layers of structured tannin and the distinct mineral imprint of the Quintessa terroir give way to a juicy and polished finish. Well balanced and with well-integrated movement, the 2020 Quintessa is a beautiful expression of a memorable year.
Price: £222
Where to buy: millesima.co.uk
White
The Kings Legacy Chardonnay 2022
Enchanting aromas of brioche and ripe rock melon are supported by a subtle oak background with a gun flint twist. Transcending into the palate, oak tannin supports the ripe stone fruit and citrus notes. Partial malolactic fermentation has helped to soften the palate while the residual acidity extends the palate to a salivating dry finish.
The King’s Legacy Chardonnay 2022 from Marlborough pairs well with most white meat and seafood dishes. It is particularly well-suited to dishes with rich and creamy sauces, such as chicken alfredo or truffle mushroom risotto.
Price: £15.99
Where to buy: majestic.co.uk
Domaine de la Métairie d’Alon Chardonnay Village 2022 (organic)
This Chardonnay sparkles pale gold in the glass and leads onto a nose ripe with peach, lemon, fresh banana and delectable pastry notes reminiscent of lemon tart. The palate reveals discreet woody notes with hazelnut and dried banana. A showcase for the Languedoc’s capacity to make top end Chardonnay, this is a vivacious, fresh and harmonious wine which would serve as a perfect all-rounder during the Christmas feasting period.
This wine would work equally well with a light, pre-Christmas grilled fish supper; a goats’ cheese, pear, pecan and watercress salad served at a lunch time gathering for friends or on the Christmas lunch table as a worthy partner to a traditional turkey roast.
Price: £19.99 or £17.99 mix six
Where to buy: majestic.co.uk
Terlingham Vineyard 2021 Chardonnay
The Terlingham Vineyard 2021 Chardonnay is lightly oaked, fresh, and citrusy with hints of vanilla, preserved lemon, and green peach on the nose. On the palate there are sweet orchard fruits with a bright, zesty acidity. Winner of the Bronze award at the 2022 WineGB Awards this vegan-friendly Chardonnay is a perfect pairing with mild, buttery, or creamy dishes. Try with fish or shellfish such as lobster, shrimp, crab, or scallops – think delicious Christmas canapés – or sip alongside subtly flavoured, simply seasoned poultry and pork dishes.
Price: £19.50
Where to buy: terlinghamvineyard.co.uk
Terlingham Vineyard 2022 Bacchus
Vibrant with a crisp minerality, the multi-award-winning 2022 Bacchus has gorgeous aromas of elderflower, rose and lime zest and on the palate, crunchy peach with a long orchard finish. Vegan-friendly, Terlingham’s 2022 Bacchus boasts a beautifully fresh taste, due to the Vineyard’s natural farming methods and overall sustainable and ethical approach to production. Delicious with chicken and fish dishes, creamy cheeses such as goats’ cheese, brie and camembert, or a fresh salad. The ideal special white to add to your Christmas table setting.
Price: £22.50
Where to buy: terlinghamvineyard.co.uk
Edouard Delaunay Bourgogne Aligoté 2020
Aligoté, the lesser-known white varietal of Burgundy, is currently undergoing a revival, thanks to the dedication of a few passionate winegrowers and estates, including Edouard Delaunay. This example is very much a terroir driven expression of the varietal and comes from a plot of vines located on a steep, south-east facing slope with an altitude of 450 metres, one of the highest in Burgundy.
It is a beautiful pale-yellow colour boasting a pure nose featuring expressive notes of stinging nettles, freshly cut herbs and a touch of lemon and mandarin, followed by flavours of greengages and white plums. This is a taut, chiselled wine that is clean and extremely refreshing.
Price: £23.40/ £140.40 for a case of six
Where to buy: honestgrapes.co.uk
Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay 2020
Giants Steps has a reputation for making some of the Yarra Valley’s most consistently exciting wines from estate-owned vineyards. Fermented and aged in mostly old, 500-litre French oak barrels, this is an elegant, refined and delicate Chardonnay that is also surprisingly voluptuous. The nose shows classic Yarra characters of fresh melon and intense citrus flavours, underpinned with notes of marzipan and hazelnut. Crisp acidity ensures a refreshing, clean finish.
Price: £28
Where to buy: handpickedwinebox.com
Domaine Ferret Pouilly Fuissé 2021
With a history dating back to 1840, Domaine Ferret is a jewel at the heart of Pouilly-Fuissé, located in the most famous ‘climats’ of the Fuissé amphitheatre. A caressing touch, a tasty finish and a fresh texture characterise this emblematic cuvée. Pair with all manner of wintry dishes, including shellfish and molluscs, seafood risotto, grilled or pan-fried fish, veal cutlets with creamy sauces, goats’ cheeses and hard cow’s milk cheeses.
Price: £40
Where to buy: oxfordwine.co.uk
Quintessa Illumination 2022
Fresh, vibrant and floral with succulent citrus notes, this white blend (50% Sauvignon Blanc Musqué, 33% Sauvignon Blanc, 17% Semillon) offers textured weight with juicy yellow apple, wax melon and citrus blossom notes. The palate surprises and delights with a fresh and lively mouthfeel that offers energetic acidity with even ripeness. Quintessa Illumination 2022, from Napa County and Sonoma County, will remain elegant for years to come.
Price: £42
Where to buy: laywheeler.com
Yangarra ‘Roux Beaute’ 2020
This is a unique wine from the McLaren Vale legendary winery, Yangarra and is made in two 675L ceramic eggs, one fermented on its skins for a mammoth 134 days. This just oozes texture, it is luscious, powerful and complex whilst still maintaining phenomenal balance and freshness.
Price: £58.30
Where to buy: shelvedwine.com
Rose
Fleur de Lise Rosé, Plaimont Producteurs, Saint-Mont 2022
A pale pink colour with blueish tints, this rosé is lively and supple with seductive aromas of fresh red fruits (redcurrant, blackcurrant) and notes of raspberry. Full and fresh in the mouth, this wine can be drunk as an aperitif, with starters, grilled meat, fish or salads and is best served at 8 – 10°C.
Price: £9.50
Where to buy: ocado.com
Terlingham 2022 Pinot Noir and Rondo Rosé
Terlingham’s award-winning, vegan-friendly 2022 Pinot Noir and Rondo rosé is light and crisp and has enticing aromas of fresh wild strawberry, pink grapefruit, and a hint of ginger. On the palate, it delivers a delicious red fruit with a lovely long finish, allowing its delightful flavour to be savoured.
As a wonderfully light and dry rosé it pairs beautifully with light pasta dishes, salads, seafood, and grilled fish. It’s also an excellent accompaniment to fresh or young cheeses like feta, mozzarella, and cheddar – ideal for that Christmas cheeseboard!
Price: £19.50
Where to buy: terlinghamvineyard.co.uk
Sparkling
Della Vite Prosecco Superiore DOCG in Gift Box
Della Vite is a partnership between three sisters (Chloe, Poppy and Cara Delevingne) and the Biasiotto family based in Valdobiaddene, considered as one of THE Prosecco regions. The winery and wines themselves are a credit to both families, being sustainable, vegan and of excellent quality. Rich and extra dry, this delicious Prosecco has aromas of citrus blossom and fine, delicate bubbles for the perfect sparkling wine. It also comes with a branded gift box, making for an excellent gift.
Price: £23.99
Where to buy: thebottleclub.com
Chapel Down Sparkling Brut
England’s best-selling English sparkling wine is crisp and fresh and perfect for every ‘big little moment’. This brut is a classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Blanc and boasts aromas of red apple and lemongrass with hints of strawberry and quince on the palate and fine persistent bubbles.
Price: From £29.99
Where to buy: majestic.co.uk, chapeldown.com
Ferrari F1 Trento Limited Edition – Silverstone
Celebrate Christmas with the Ferrari Trento Silverstone Limited Edition bottle. From the Formula One podium to your family Christmas table, the official toast of Formula One has created a sparkling wine that is suitable for every occasion.
Price: £32
Where to buy: harveynichols.com
Chapel Down Sparkling Rosé
This popular rosé is delicate and feminine – the epitome of an English summer – and therefore perfect if you want to bring an essence of the warmer months to your festive celebrations. A classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Blanc, this delicate rosé sparkling wine has aromas of redcurrant, strawberry, and rosehip and will pair well with canapés and summer fruits, while also making a suitable aperitif. Available in a gift box, this also makes a nice festive present to gift to a loved one.
Price: £35
Where to buy: chapeldown.com
Rathfinny Wine Estate Classic Cuvée 2019
Rathfinny is a family owned wine estate in East Sussex established in 2010, and as well as being a stunning sight, the vineyard is perfect for growing sparkling wine grapes. This new ‘house-style’ Rathfinny Classic Cuvée 2019 is a blend of 44% Pinot Noir, 41% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Meunier and it has spent a minimum of 36 months in bottle.
Honeyed lemon in colour, with a welcoming nose of red apple skins that gives way to a rich lemon meringue palate with a red berry fruit finish, this versatile wine pairs well with roast chicken, meaty fish like hake and monkfish, and it would also make a fine pairing for a hearty Eggs Benedict breakfast.
Price: £35
Where to buy: rathfinnyestate.com
Terlingham Vineyard 2021 Classic Cuvée Rosé
A sumptuous blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, the 2021 Classic Cuvée Rosé is the latest release from Terlingham Vineyard. Vegan-friendly, this delicate pink sparkling rosé boasts a beautiful bouquet of strawberry, shortbread, rhubarb crumble and cinnamon on the nose. On the palate, the gentle mousse, luscious fruit medley and persistent floral finish make this sparkling wine an absolute delight.
Delicious with creamy cheeses such as brie and camembert, but also excellent with seafood, cured meats and roast vegetables, this is a staple for your Christmas drinks offering and is also ideal for gifting.
Price: £35.50
Where to buy: terlinghamvineyard.co.uk
Terlingham Vineyard 2017 Blanc De Blancs
Of the highest quality, the award-winning Terlingham 2017 Blanc De Blancs is a specially aged wine having spent over 52 months on the lees, allowing it to develop richness and complexity. The family has riddled, disgorged, corked, caged, and lovingly labelled each bottle by hand to ensure perfection.
This sparkling wine has a vibrant nectarine, citrus, and white peach nose, with lemon, shortbread, and pastry notes on the palate. Its abundant, creamy mousse is reflective of the time spent on the lees. The gorgeous, fresh acidity and dryness of the 2017 Blanc de Blancs is the perfect pairing for decadent desserts and would be equally delightful to welcome guests with on Christmas Day or to toast the New Year.
Price: £39.50
Where to buy: terlinghamvineyard.co.uk
Champagne Lanson Le Black Création
Boasting a fresh and elegant style unique to its creation, each bottle of Le Black Création is aged for more than four years in the cellars, all whilst retaining the vitality and aromatic richness that Lanson Champagne is known for. Grapes are meticulously selected from over 100 of the finest Crus of Champagne, including 50% of Grand and Premier crus in historical cornerstones such as Dizy, Verzenay and Trépail.
A feast for the senses – on the nose, there is a bouquet of tangy fruit aromas with William pear, apple, and citrus, while on the palate, ripe orchard fruit and hints of mandarin, lemon and grapefruit appear. Maturity is also expressed through notes of brioche and dried fruit. It pairs wonderfully with seasonal canapés such as porcini mushroom arancini and parmesan polenta bites, as well as sweet courses such as a velvety dark chocolate tart.
Price: £41
Where to buy: sainsburys.co.uk
Porte Noire Petite Porte Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs
Petite Porte Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs is designed for moments of refined enjoyment, perfect for intimate gatherings and joyous celebrations this festive season. Every sip unveils a symphony of delicate flavours, enchanting the palate with notes of crisp apple, hints of citrus, and a subtle mineral complexity that leaves a lasting impression.
Price: £46.80
Where to buy: portenoire.co.uk
Gosset Grand Reserve Champagne Gift Set
Gosset Grand Reserve is an exceptional Champagne presented in the house’s beautifully distinctive ‘antique’ bottle, a replica of the bottles used towards the end of the 18th Century. For an outstanding experience, its deep aromas will shine through beyond comparison when served in the two accompanying flutes provided in this gift set. The bottle stopper seals each bottle perfectly ensuring your drinks are kept in its prime condition from toast to last drop.
Featuring complex aromas of toasted hazelnuts combined with subtle notes of wildflowers, on the palate you’ll discover the perfect balance between richness and fruitiness with crisp acidity and a refreshing mineral finish.
Price: £47.49
Where to buy: thebottleclub.com
Louis Roederer Brut Collection 243 Champagne Gift Box
This luxurious Champagne is produced by one of the world’s most renowned Champagne houses and, presented in a sophisticated gift box, it is the pinnacle of elegant gifting.
Made with only the finest grapes, every bottle undergoes a rigorous ageing process to ensure its exceptional quality. The result is a beautifully balanced Champagne with a delicate flavour that is perfect to show how much you appreciate your loved one this Christmas.
Price: £48.99
Where to buy: thebottleclub.com
Graham Beck Cuvée Clive 2017
The prestige MCC ‘Cuvée Clive’ 2017 is a blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir – only made in exceptional years and in extremely limited quantities. This extraordinarily multi-faceted and delectably complex Cap Classique is a collector’s item in its own right and eminently suitable for cellaring. Savour it when celebrating your finest moments and most joyous highlights.
The Chardonnay portions combine seamlessly to create a bouquet of rich peach, apricot, apple and citrus aromas, with alluring hints of spice and toasted almonds form the barrels. The Pinot Noir elegantly dances through these aromas and adds layers of complexity on the palate with fresh cranberry, pomegranate and spicy undertones. The palate is elegant and fresh, while the lengthy time spent on lees has created a succulent texture which lingers long after the last sip.
Price: RRP £50
Where to buy: frontierfinewines.co.uk, vinvm.co.uk
Nyetimber Classic Cuvee and Flutes Gift Box
Nyetimber’s signature sparkling wine is intense yet delicate, elegant yet complex, and it has consistently been crowned one of the best English sparkling wines.
The Classic Cuvee Multi-Vintage is a blend of Nyetimber’s three classic grape varieties – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. This blend results in a sparkling wine that is full of flavour, with hints of citrus and white flowers, and a lovely creamy texture. Beautifully presented within an elegant white gift box alongside two branded flutes, you can’t go wrong with buying this gift set for a loved one.
Price: £52.99
Where to buy: thebottleclub.com
Champagne Drappier tête-à-tête gift set
A Pinot Noir-based Champagne of style and finesse, Carte d’Or offers delicate aromas of white peach, quince, and a touch of spice. The dry, elegant palate shows an impressive degree of concentration, along with fine bubbles and a long, crisp finish and it’s all presented in a beautiful gift box, together with two Champagne glasses.
Price: £54.95
Where to buy: secretbottleshop.co.uk
Champagne Bruno Paillard ‘Dosage Zero’ MV
Maison Bruno Paillard’s Champagne expresses the purity of the northern climate and chalk soils, whilst giving great complexity and balance. It is a pure, elegant and well-balanced Champagne, with perceptible energy. The use of reserve wines is key; 50% is comprised of reserve wines – exceptionally high for Champagne – which includes vintages going back to 1985 in a solera-style system. Some of these reserve wines underwent their first fermentation in barrel.
This makes for the perfect aperitif Champagne for Christmas celebrations and an ideal toast for the New Year.
Price: £59
Where to buy: wanderlustwine.co.uk
Lanson Rose Champagne Fruit Market Gift Set
With its delicate strawberry bouquet and fresh palette of red fruit flavours, the sparkling rosé Champagne tastes as pleasing as it looks, ensuring festivities sparkle with class and sophistication. What’s more, each box contains two exquisite crystal flutes that are perfect for all types of elegant gatherings – adding an extra touch of opulence to any celebration. With its timeless wooden box that is designed to be lovely in look and feel, this fantastic gift set is sure to generate admiration from everyone lucky enough to receive it.
Price: £67.49
Where to buy: thebottleclub.com
Billecart-Salmon Brut Sous Bois
Billecart-Salmon, a Champagne House in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, was founded in 1818 by Nicolas Francois Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon who combined their names in marriage to create the brand. It is one of the few remaining Champagne houses to remain family owned and family run and they are known for their range of exceptional wines and sustainable winemaking techniques.
Their Brut Sous Bois is rich and layered with aromas of dried fruits and fresh citrus, topped with notes buttered toast. Creamy, elegant, and rich with flavours of grilled brioche, light toffee, cedar, and preserved lemon, Billecart-Salmon is a favourite here at LLM.
Price: £68.90
Where to buy: hedonism.co.uk
Champagne PIAFF Blanc de Blancs NV
100% Chardonnay is sourced from easterly planted vineyards in the Côtes de Blancs and results in a delightful yet persistent mousse, which highlights soft floral notes on the nose with a hint of almonds and fresh hazelnuts. Superb structure and length on the palate introduce white fruits in perfect balance with a particularly pleasing minerality and undertones of brioche.
Price: £69.50
Where to buy: amathusdrinks.com
Champagne Taittinger Folies de la Marquetterie
Folies de la Marquetterie is a blend of 45% Chardonnay and 55% Pinot Noir, and slow ageing for five years in bottle brings the flavours of this Champagne to perfect harmony. Deep yellow with golden highlights and fine, delicate bubbles, this Champagne has an intense, fruity bouquet. Full-bodied, fruity and graceful on the palate, the long finish is distinctive – all in all, a full flavoured, harmonious Champagne distinguished by its immense richness and complexity.
This wine is made to be a creamier style, making it particularly suited to food pairing. Enjoy with smoked salmon blinis, grilled fish and chicken dishes, and also enjoy as an aperitif.
Price: from £78
Where to buy: harrods.com, harveynichols.com
Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Petal Robe Champagne
Laurent-Perrier’s Cuvée Rosé has an inviting aroma of red berries and light citrus making for a delightful start, before you experience the underlying crisp structure. On the palate, subtle notes of wild strawberry, raspberry, and redcurrant abound, along with a hint of rose petal and a light smokiness which adds an elegance incomparable to other Champagnes.
Elevating the exceptional drinking experience that the House of Laurent-Perrier has perfected over time, Petal Robe is the sixth limited edition reusable metal robe that the legendary Champagne has donned over as many years. The 2023 Petal Robe design draws inspiration from the colour palette found in the liquid itself; each individual enamel stroke creates a ‘petal’ pattern throughout with hues of soft rose, apricot pinks and even warmer brioche tones showcased.
Price: £82.99
Where to buy: thebottleclub.com
Hattingley Valley Classic Reserve NV Anniversary Magnum
Hampshire favourite Hattingley Valley has released a unique, limited-edition Classic Reserve NV Anniversary Magnum marking the release of its first ever vintage in 2013. This exclusive 10-year anniversary NV magnum has been crafted from the 2016 harvest, an excellent but limited vintage that demands to be tasted; it is a true crowd pleaser and perfectly encapsulates the brand’s signature style.
The wine has an elegant bronze gold colour with delicate aromas of nougat, orange peel and citrus. Biscuit, pears and green apple notes on the palate with a hint of nuts are followed by a juicy bright acidity and a complex long finish.
Limited to around 100 bottles, this special release is the perfect purchase for collectors and connoisseurs, or those seeking to celebrate in style.
Price: £95
Where to buy: hattingleyvalley.com
Fifty One Degrees North 2016
Unique in form and unlike anything else previously produced in England, Fifty One Degrees North is the ultimate expression of place, a single moment in time, and the promise of modern English winemaking. Thanks to the near-perfect growing conditions of 2016, Gusbourne has created a worthy successor to its critically acclaimed 2014 release. The mild spring combined with the warm and dry summer resulted in abundant, perfectly ripened fruit, producing an intense and complex wine to rival the finest sparkling offerings from around the world.
Featuring distinct mineral and maritime notes, this singular vintage wine blends two-thirds Chardonnay and one-third Pinot Noir using fruit grown from both Gusbourne’s Kent and West Sussex vineyards. Fifty One Degrees North boasts a multi-layered composition due to the silky, rich, and intense fruit grown in the clay and sandstone Kent vineyards, whilst the fruit sourced from the chalk and flint West Sussex vineyards gives it a bright, fresh, elegant, citrus acidity and poised finish. Although similarly well-balanced to the 2014 vintage, this is a little toastier in style, amplified by the judicious use of oak and five and a half years of lees ageing.
Price: £195
Where to buy: gusbourne.com
