Food & Drink editor Natasha Heard picks her top nine white wines for you to enjoy this Christmas.
Pfalz, 2014 Riesling Sekt Brut, Reichsrat von Buhl (75)
Fresh, fruity and off-dry, this is the perfect wine to kick off the celebrations this Christmas. Attractive baked apple aromas, lemon freshness and an intense finish. Enjoy with Christmas party canapés or a smoked salmon starter.
Available to buy online from Laithwaites. RRP: £19.99.
Graham Norton’s SauviGNon Blanc 2016 (75cl)
This delicious wine was produced by Invivo in New Zealand and then blended by the man himself, Graham Norton. Graham’s special blend manages to successfully marry the tropical flavours of Wairu with the more punchy herbaceous characteristics of Awatere. With zesty tropical fruit notes and a hint of grass it’s best served alongside the smoked salmon starter or the traditional roast turkey dinner.
Available to buy online from Majestic. RRP: £10.99.
Sandiford Pinot Grigio 2015 (75cl)
Sandiford Pinot Grigio is a fresh and fruity wine from the Garden of California. Made using a unique clone, Tehachapi – this is the only white Pinot Grigio in the world. It makes a fresh dry white with hints of stone fruit and lime on the nose. Clean and crisp with a ripe mid-palate and mineral fresh finish, this goes hand in hand with most fish and chicken dishes. It is delicious with goat’s cheese recipes and works well with lighter Asian cuisine.
Available to buy online from Waitrose. RRP: 8.99
Barossa Chardonnay (75cl)
A delightful Australian chardonnay, offering a rich, complex, toasty character on the nose and palate. This is stunning with richer chicken, turkey and pork dishes. Fabulous with mushroom risotto and a wonder with smoked fish dishes.
Available to buy online from Marks & Spencer. RRP: £12.99.
Château Le Coin Sauvignon Gris 2015 (75cl)
Sauvignon Blanc we all know well, but Sauvignon Gris? Now that’s another matter entirely, rare in Bordeaux and unheard of as a single varietal. This is a fabulous, spicy white with real breadth and a zip of citrus from a terrific family estate. A spicy white with flavours of apricot and citrus is perhaps an unusual combination, but a perfect match for the cheese plate on Boxing Day.
Available to buy online from Laithwaites. RRP: £10.99.
Franciacorta Brut Satèn DOCG – Castello Bonomi (75cl)
Castello Bonomi’s Satèn Franciacorta Brut DOCG is essentially a Blanc de Blancs, made entirely of Chardonnay grapes and features less pressure than classic Brut bubblies giving it a more predominant smoothness and silkiness. Produced using only free-run must and left to age in-bottle for 36 months this wine stands out in terms of quality on account of its fresh, mineral aromas. Floral, fruity with lovely lingering honey and brioche notes.
Available to buy online from Tannico.co.uk. RRP: £24.99.
Les Rochettes 2015 – Pouilly-Fume AOC (75cl)
This vibrant delight from renowned winemaker, Christophe Denoël, is a Classic French Pouilly Fumé. Pouilly Fumé earns its reputation for wonderfully aromatic, super intense Sauvignon Blanc from the unique flint, chalk and limestone soils found in this part of the Loire. Brisk, concentrated, floral and flinty, Les Rochettes is a dry white that will make a perfect partner for your finest fish dish or goat’s cheese.
Available to buy online from Laithwaites. RRP: £14.99.
Nyetimber Classic Cuvee, English, Sparkling Wine (75cl)
Bring in Christmas and the New Year by raising a glass of the IWC 2016 Gold Medal-winning Classic Cuvée 2010 – an outstanding aperitif to delight your guests. Gentle bubbles pervade this pale golden wine. Toasty, spicy aromas are supported by honey, almond, pastry and baked apple flavours, making this a fine and elegant wine with intensity, delicacy and length. For those after a decadent stocking-filler, Classic Cuvee will also be available in half-size at Fortnum & Mason.
Available to buy online from Waitrose. RRP: £32.99.
2011 Berry Bros. & Rudd Tokaji Aszú, 5 Puttonyos by Oremus (75cl)
The 2011 vintage has yielded a more elegant and floral interpretation of this Tokaji Aszú wine. The nose has notes of orange blossom and peach, interspersed with honeysuckle and acacia. The palate is beautifully poised with the trademark acidity acting as counterpoint to the noble rot sweetness. The long finish is fresh and vibrant.
Available to buy online from Berry Bros. & Rudd. RRP: £29.95.
