It’s nearly Christmas, you’ve bought most of your presents, got the turkey on order and the Christmas tree is up. But, what wines do you buy? Your mum-in-law prefers rosé, your dad prefers red, your sister prefers sparkling and you, well you like all types as long as it’s GOOD. We’ve taken the stress out of Christmas wine buying for you by selecting our Christmas 2021 range of reds, rosés, whites and sparkling for the festive period. Read on, relax and look forward to sipping amazing wines this Christmas.
Something red and delicious
Chêne Bleu – Abélard 2012
Our choice: We chose Abelard; drawn by its beautiful deep garnet colour and the impeccable balance between the spiciness of Grenache and the subtle power of Syrah. If red spells Christmas, then Chêne Bleu Abélard is the star of the season.
About the winery: Named after the magnificent ancient blue oak tree on the estate, the Domaine de La Verrière, Chêne Bleu wines are rooted in 500 years of local history, yet integrate the most forward-thinking qualitative approaches in their production. Located at 550 metres above sea level, the vineyards are some of the highest in Vaucluse and the South of France.
Grape varieties: 85% Grenache Noir, 15% Syrah
Tasting notes: Deep, brilliant garnet. Intense nose with notes of black cherry, plum and liquorice, mixed with hints of torrefaction and fine spices. Full-bodied and smooth, fresh with velvety tannins and notes of ripe red fruits. A long aromatic finish, with hints of spices and plums.
Food pairing: The perfect pairing for fireplaces in our opinion! But also goes beautifully with beef or duck for Christmas lunch.
Where to buy: www.winedirect.co.uk (UK £62.95), www.wine.com (USA $89.99), or www.chenebleu.com/shop
How to visit: Plan your visit to Chêne Bleu with Winerist.
Faustino I Gran Reserva
Our choice: When it comes to red, Rioja is the king of Spain and Bodegas Faustino is definitely one of the most renowned wineries of the region. So, many of you will recognise Faustino but we think that few of you will have tried this particular wine from the producer.
About the winery: Located in Rioja Alavesa, Bodegas Faustino has been producing wine for more than 160 years. With 650 hectares of vineyards, it is one of the largest owners of vineyards in the DOC Rioja. Recently, they introduced new sustainable practices in grape growing reflecting the two pillars of their winery philosophy: love and respect for nature.
Grape varieties: Red Gran Reserva Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo
Tasting notes: Ruby coloured developing to maroon, it is complex on the nose with fruity and spicy notes. Elegant in the mouth with a long and silky finish.
Food pairing: A versatile red like this one is always a good pairing for a hearty dish at Christmas including any meat you decide to serve for festive lunches and dinners.
Where to buy: Available to buy in the UK at Asda (£15.00), Tesco (£17.00) & Ocado (£18.00), in the US at Vivino ($33.99) and Europe at www.grauonline.eu (EUR18.00).
How to visit: Plan your wine tour of Rioja with Winerist.
Shine bright like a sparkling wine
De Chanceny Crémant de Loire Brut
Our choice: We chose Crémant as it is an amazing sparkling wine for festivities. It’s made in France using the traditional method, also called méthode Champenoise. It has wonderful biscuity notes that prevent it from tasting too sweet. It’s subject to strict rules of production, from its harvest to its ageing, meaning you can get some fantastic Christmas bubbles for a very affordable price. We chose the Crémant de Loire De Chanceny for its complexity and freshness, and because it’s a delightfully structured wine made to be shared and enjoyed.
About the winery: De Chanceny is located within the Loire Valley which was for a long time the favourite land of the French nobility and whose jaw-dropping châteaux make this a dream destination for wine and architecture lovers. De Chanceny creates its Crémant de Loire by following the traditional method, also called “méthode champenoise”. The grapes are manually harvested at the peak of ripeness, the second fermentation happens in the bottle and the wines age for at least 12 months.
Grape varieties: 65% Chenin Blanc, 20% Chardonnay, 15% Cabernet Franc
Tasting notes: The Crémant de Loire Brut De Chanceny is full of freshness and finesse. Its nose is fine and complex associating the floral notes of the Chenin, and the fruit hints of the Chardonnay and the Cabernet Franc. On the palate, its notes of fresh fruit such as pear and peach make it a perfectly balanced Crémant.
Food pairing: We recommend enjoying it as an aperitif with soft cheeses or spicy hors d’oeuvre.
Where to buy: De Burgh Wine Merchants (UK £12.99), www.wholefoodsmarket.com (US), or www.dechanceny.com
How to visit: Plan a trip to the Loire Valley with Winerist.
Balfour – Blanc de Noirs 2018
Our choice: If you’re looking for an alternative to Champagne to sparkle your Christmas, then this vibrant English sparkling is a wonderful option! We were intrigued to try Balfour’s first ever Blanc de Noirs and its intense fruit flavour made it a sure choice for us.
About the winery: Located in the heart of Kent, the Garden of England, Balfour Winery is one of England’s leading wine producers, pioneers for both English traditional method sparkling wines, and a new wave of English still wines. Making over 400,000 bottles of still and sparkling wines each year, Balfour is one of England’s most respected and renowned wineries, combining world-class winemaking with a spirit of innovation.
Grape varieties: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
Tasting notes: With a pale peach hue, it comes with tangerine and lime notes on the nose. With an intense fruit flavour, the tangerine zest leads seamlessly to the palate.
Food pairing: It’s a match made in heaven with Christmas roast duck or a meaty fish.
Where to buy: balfourwinery.com (UK £40.00)
How to visit: Visit Balfour Winery with Winerist.
De Chanceny Vouvray Brut Excellence
Our choice: Another wonderful sparkling option is the Vouvray Brut Excellence De Chanceny. We love it because of its fantastic character and plenitude. Made with 100% Chenin Blanc, a grape variety so emblematic of the Loire Valley, it offers floral and mineral notes and over time develops rich, lively and fruity aromas. It brings vivacity and balance through its accompanying citrus flavours making it the perfectly balanced bubbles to toast the season with.
About the winery: De Chanceny is located within the Loire Valley which was for a long time the favourite land of the French nobility and whose jaw-dropping châteaux make this a dream destination for wine and architecture lovers. De Chanceny creates its Crémant de Loire by following the traditional method, also called “méthode champenoise”. The grapes are manually harvested at the peak of ripeness, the second fermentation happens in the bottle and the wines age for at least 12 months.
Grape varieties: 100% Chenin Blanc
Tasting notes: Its nose is ripe, bright and elegant, evoking dried fruits, then ripe fruits such as pear and pineapple, ending on fine floral notes of lime. The finish lingers on brioche and notes of candied fruit.
Food pairing: It’s excellent as an aperitif with vegetable tarts, or starters of seafood, and chocolate based desserts such as chocolate fondant.
Where to buy: www.wholefoodsmarket.com (US), or www.dechanceny.com
How to visit: Plan a trip to the Loire Valley with Winerist.
White, vivacious and dreamy
Donna Elvira – Fink 2019
Our choice: Winters can be cold and Christmas can be a bit overwhelming. Pour yourself a glass of Donna Elvira, close your eyes and imagine yourself on the Amalfi coast. Dreamy!
About the winery: Located in Campania, Italy, Donna Elvira is strongly committed to producing fine wines that reflect the traditions of the outstanding land of Irpinia. At the core of their winemaking processes is sustainability. They aim to minimize the use of synthetic chemicals in compliance with ecological, economic and toxicological principles. For this reason, they were awarded the SQNPI certification – National Quality System for Integrated Production.
Grape varieties: Fiano in purity
Tasting notes: Yellow coloured with green reflections, Fink is fruity with scents of citrus, pear, and yellow flowers on the nose. It’s fresh and spicy in the mouth with mineral sensations and a lasting finish.
Food pairing: A perfect choice for those opting for vegetarian dishes on Christmas Day, especially if they are covered in breadcrumbs, cheese and herbs! Also great for some Christmas Eve mozzarella starters, or a delicious seafood platter of shrimp, scallops and clams.
Where to buy: Available to buy in the UK, Italy, and Germany at donnaelvira.com (£18.00, EUR18.00)
How to visit: Plan your wine tour of the beautiful Campania and the Amalfi Coast with Winerist.
Christmas with a dash of rosé
Mirabeau – Pure Provence Rosé 2020
Our choice: While reds and whites might be preferred during the Christmas dinner, they might mask the flavours of the meal you prepared with so much dedication and effort. For this reason, we challenge you to try this elegant rosé that will definitely enhance your taste and bring a dose of Provence to your glass with its freshness and fruitiness.
About the winery: Nestled in a historic village in the commune of the Golfe de Saint-Tropez, France, Domaine Mirabeau boasts 14 hectares of vineyards, within the Notre Dame des Anges, a new subregion of the Côtes de Provence AOC.
Since 2019, Stephen and Jeany, the founders, have been deeply committed to producing their fine wines in an environmentally-friendly way, respecting the ecosystem in all their activities.
Grape varieties: 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Cinsault
Tasting notes: With a pleasing acidity and elegant finish, this rosé boasts delicate aromas of citrus, pink grapefruit and berries, with a zesty freshness.
Food pairing: Whether you’re opting for a festive cheesboard, a strawberry dessert to top off your Christmas Eve dinner or a light starter of salmon or salad before your main Christmas meal; this rosé will make the perfect pairing
Where to buy: www.waitrose.com (UK £10.00) or www.maisonmirabeau.com (worldwide)
How to visit: Plan your trip to Provence with Winerist.