Wines and drinks to match Christmas fare and festive occasions.

After what will go down in history as the strangest year for many a decade, Christmas is finally upon us! To celebrate in style with the family following a tumultuous and rather uncertain 2020, make sure your wine pairings are second to none to delight your guests this festive season.

The passionate and experienced buying team at Kingsland Drinks has left no stone unturned when it comes to selecting the best wines for every festive dish, and they’re all available on the high street, so use their choices as a guide and make Christmas 2020 at home the most special one yet…

As well as including wines to pair with Christmas cuisine, Kingsland Drinks’ intrepid Master of Wine, David Gill, has also hand-selected three super-special wines that are guaranteed to add a touch of the exquisite to any festive proceeding…

 

To pair with…Christmas Canapés

Prince Alexandre Crémant de Loire NV (12.5% abv)

Waitrose / £12.99
Suitable for vegans

This fresh, gently sparkling white is lovely as an aperitif and is the perfect sparkler to serve with a selection of festive canapés. Hints of citrus and white stone fruit on nose and palate yield to a soft, creamy mousse and a luxuriously, long refreshing finish.

For those who want to be a little naughty, add a dash of the Muscat Depuis 1348 for a touch of, fruity, sumptuous sweetness.

 

To pair with…Seafood Starters

Olivier Baudin Brut NV Champagne (12.5% abv)

Majestic  / £15.00

This classic Champagne blend provides a fine, toasty, spice hint with brioche characters on the nose, while the Pinot Noir and Meunier elements give a delicious red fruit tang and softness on the palate, and the Chardonnay lifts the finish. It pairs beautifully with scallops and other shellfish – and  – of course – oysters, if you are feeling adventurous.

Les Plantagenets Saumur Blanc 2019 (12.5% abv)

Wine Society / £7.95

This sensational Saumur Blanc is a wine that will provide the wow factor when served with a seafood starter. The fine, fresh Chenin Blanc has a depth of flavour and a slice of limey acidity which brings fresh seafood to life. There is a hint of development on the Chenin which adds a delicious texture mid-palate, making it a real treat. It also works really well with Thai-style starters with a hint of spice.

 

To pair with… Roasted squash soup or French onion soup

Kleinfels Riesling d’Alsace 2018 (12% abv)

Waitrose & Partners / £10.99
Suitable for vegans

With citrus and white flower aromas, and fresh, zesty, dry white stone fruit on the palate, this will go well with squash or root vegetable-based winter soups, making it the perfect starter pairing for vegan guests.

This is lighter in alcohol than many wines but it has a wonderful depth of aromatic flavour.  Fresh and dry, the wine has mid-palate depth which works really well with both creamy, wintry squash soups and fragrant, earthy onion soups too.

 

To pair with…The main event – Festive Turkey and all the trimmings

Grand Vallon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Grande Réserve Laurent Brotte 2019 (14% abv)

£14.99 Aldi and Aldi online (please note, samples will be available from November)

Straw yellow with golden highlights and a nose of white flowers and white-fleshed stone fruits evolving into notes of buttery hazelnuts, this incredible white Chateauneuf-du-Pape Grande Réserve is a showstopper with the traditional festive turkey dinner.

Mouth-filling and plump with honey and fresh ripe peach, it has great length and an elegant citrus finish. It’s guaranteed to delight your friends and family.

Baron de Ley Club Privado Reserva Rioja 2015 (14% abv)

Waitrose / £12.99

For those who want a red with their Christmas lunch, this is a stunning, perfectly poised red for the event.  The bouquet is all ripe black fruit with smoky oak aromas.  Take a large sip to get a burst of black fruit and then the fine balance of acidity and supple tannin which hold the wine’s complexity right across the palate.

 

To pair with… Vegan Nut Roast

Les Nivieres Saumur Rouge (WR) 2018 (14% abv)

Waitrose / £9.49
Suitable for vegans

With a fresh summer berry nose and a hint of chocolate and spice, and lovely full-fruited berries on the palate, this wine has the perfect balance of acidity and soft tannins. It will go down a treat with a sensational nut roast and vegan gravy! It is also the perfect foil for creamy mushroom-based main courses, if you’d prefer…

Full Moon Durif 2019 (13.5% abv)

The Wine Society / £8.95

This is a big, juicy, full-bodied red made from the Durif grape, also known as Petit Syrah. Bursting with black fruit flavours with a hint of dark chocolate and pepper, this is sure to satisfy any lover of Aussie reds. As well as bold flavours on the palate, it has lovely blueberry and cassis scented fruit on the nose with hints of sour cherry and green pepper. Its sensuous, earthy quality and smokiness lead to a long finish, making it utterly delicious with richly-flavoured nut roasts, or even a veggie curry if you fancy going off piste.

 

To pair with…Christmas pudding

The Ned Noble Sauvignon Blanc 2018 (10.5% abv)

Ocado / £12.99

Exuding tropical aromas of ripe, fleshy nectarine and apricot with hints of caramelisation, the waxy palate builds on these aromas with an intensity of grapefruit marmalade and stone fruit. Whilst broad and rich, the upfront acid line provides a crisp finish with abundant length.

It drinks well alongside most desserts, from classic Christmas pud to a freshly-baked apple pie. Plus, you can continue to enjoy this gorgeous wine with the classic festive cheeseboard, particularly a rich gorgonzola – perfection!

 

To pair with…A chocolate dessert

Depuis 1348 Muscat Beaumes de Venise Carte d’Or  NV (15% abv)

Waitrose /£7.99
Suitable for vegans

With a classically grapey muscat nose and a lovely hint of lime, this gorgeous Muscat has fresh and abundantly fruity sweetness and a lovely balance between with its acidity and alcohol.

As well as making a fantastic pairing for show-stopping chocolate desserts, you can drink this with the cheeseboard too.. in fact, it is absolutely delicious with nuggets of blue cheese or mature cheddar…

 

To pair with… The Christmas Cheeseboard

The Unexpected Red 2019  (13.5% abv)

Co-op / £6.50

This off beat blend is a perfect harmony of taste and aroma – a heady melange of blackcurrant and ripe cherry with a hint of spice and violet. Smooth and full-bodied with a rich, deep garnet colour, this flavoursome red will make the perfect partner to a varied and adventurous festive cheeseboard.

 

To pair with…Christmas Celebrations

Corte Molino Prosecco Extra Dry NV (11% abv)

Co-op / £8.50
Suitable for vegans

Striking with its sensational Tiffany-blue label, this stunning sparkler is made from an exclusive selection of Glera grapes to create a straw-yellow Prosecco with a fine fizz.

Floral on the nose and delicately fruity on the palate, this is a well-structured, slightly sweet treat that Prosecco lovers will adore. Pale straw in colour with fine perlage, it has a touch of sweet apple that will delight drinkers.

This is delicious as an aperitif or with canapés and light starters. It is also the perfect fizz for ongoing Christmas celebrations, so make sure you stock up.

 

Gifting wines – Champagne

Nicolas Courtin 2013 Vintage Champagne (Majestic) (12.5% abv)

Majestic / £24.99 on Mixed 6 (or £29.99 single bottle)

This classic, mature vintage Champagne has a lovely nutty note on the nose. With fresh brioche and a hint of soft red fruit on nose and palate, it also boasts a delightfully complex finish.

This will make the perfect gift for those who just love a glass of the good stuff!

 

Gifting wines – Premium Reds

Baron de Ley Gran Reserva Rioja 2013 (13.5% abv)

Waitrose & Partners / £22.99
Suitable for vegans

The Gran Reserve is made from grapes grown in Baron de Ley’s own vineyards and is only produced in great vintages.

The wine has been aged for 24 months in American and French oak casks and a further 36 months in bottle, producing aromas of outstanding complexity and a smooth velvety structure. It delivers a remarkable aromatic intensity in the nose, displaying a bouquet with ripe fruits and raisin integrated with a toasted and balsamic character.

A perfect gift for any wine aficionado, this truly special Gran Reserva Rioja can be drunk now, or will cellar for years.

 

Gifting wines – Premium Rosé

The Ned Marlborough Rosé 2020 (13% abv)

Morrisons / £9.50

Enticing aromas of wild strawberries and watermelon with a delicate floral lift. The creamy palate is carefully balanced by crisp acidity creating a juicy, flavourful palate of red fruit with a lingering finish that is deliciously moreish.

A versatile wine to be enjoyed year-round although nothing beats a glass of The Ned Rosé at the beach with freshly caught Kingfish sashimi and a crunchy green salad.

 

The Master of Wine’s choice…

Beaumarchais Cotes du Rhone Villages 2017 (13.5% abv)

Waitrose / £9.99
Suitable for vegans

A fine, classic and mature southern Rhone, from a selection of two or three named Villages.  This classic blend offers smoke, elegant black fruit and spice on the palate.  There is an elegant tension between the fruit, acidity and tannins which is perfect for partnering lamb and beef dishes, even those with a hint of spice.

This incredible wine is perfect served in a large glass, in front of a roaring Christmas fire.

Nettie Viognier 2019 (13% abv)

Majestic / £9.99 or £7.49 as any mixed six

A perfect medley of white stone fruit, hints of white flower and a kiss of ripe peach – on the nose and then on the palate.  This lovely Viognier has enough weight and mouth-feel to partner a wide array of Christmas cuisine, so it can be your perfect “go-to” wine for the whole festive period.

When you’ve had your fill of traditional Christmas nosh, this is also perfect with lightly spicy Thai, Vietnamese or Chinese food.

 

Party favourites

Mix Up G&T / Diet G&T / Pink G&T / Vodka, Lime & Lemonade 250ml (4% abv)

£1.00 / Co-op
Suitable for vegans

Inspired by the shot slingers and manic mixers of the world, Mix Up is a newly launched range of premium pre-mixed cocktails.

With four delicious flavours to choose from, Mix Up is best enjoyed with a fruity garnish and ice, but are also perfect straight from the can.

Be sure to stock up the fridge and you’ll be prepared for any festive occasion!

 

 

 

For further information, images and samples, please contact:

Eve Deasy
Crate Communications
07801 708 945
Eve@cratecomms.co.uk