🍷🎄 I couldn't finish the year off without recapping the wines that I am going to be drinking for Christmas.
At a range of different budget levels, I have done it in the order of how I will progress through the BIG day.
It's short and sweet, we will be back next year with more from the Fine Wine market and market thoughts more generally as well as some interesting 'Pocket Guides' to regions.
There will also be an 'EDUCATION ZONE' in each episode which will look to help those wanting to learn more about wine.
And of course, do not forget you can book your tickets to the TWO BIG new publications from me already now too:
In #SHEFFIELD - combining the very best of business networking in the city, in the heart of Leah's Yard, and the wines will have a theme each month too!
In #MANCHESTER - the all new 'Manchester Wine Club' taking place in Kargo MKT - a new monthly to learn more about wine. A great Christmas gift!!
Also please remember that dry-Jan is not ideal for the hospitality business, drinking in moderation is sensible and TRY-ANUARY is much better, to ensure those special places and events you go to ensure their survival.
WINE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHRISTMAS
Sparkling Choices
Top 3 in reverse order:
3️⃣ Veuve Olivier et Fils Champagne from @asda @asdaprteam £28
2️⃣ Cremant de Loire - The Society’s Celebration 2021 @thewinesociety1874 £13.31
1️⃣ First place - circa £25-30 Renishaw Hall Vintage Cuvee 2017 @englishwineproject
Others of note:
Cremant de Bourgogne Brut at only £12 from again @asda @asdaprteam
Silver Reign Rose from @silverhandestate a lovely Charmat method organic rose £21.33
Ridgeview Limited Edition Blanc de Noirs @ridgeviewwineuk £60
Harrow & Hope Blanc de Blanc - @harrowhope available from @laithwaites.wine at £40 @emmawellingspr
Mosquito Hill Blanc de Blancs 2017 @mosquitohillwines via @australianvintners at £35.50+
Alternatively a couple of others that bring in the festive cheer:
Bleasdale Langhorne Creek Sparkling Shiraz from @thewinesociety1874 at £12.76 -> this has become my sparkles for NYE! @bleasdalevineyards
Aldi Specially Selected Sparkling Shiraz from Australia - at just £7.99 is a bargain!
White Wine Choices:
3️⃣ Domaine Mallory et Benjamin Talmard, Macon-Villages 2022 from @thewinesociety1874 at just £12.50! A steal!!
2️⃣ 2017 Nicolas Potel Maison Roche de Bellene Meursault @domainedebellene - pushing the boat out here - priced at upwards of £90 92/100 Wine Enthusiast @anneinvino @wineenthusiast
1️⃣ TOP: Artefact 2022 from @castlewoodwines at £22 - nothing is like this stunningly curated Bacchus. Really EVERYONE needs a bottle!
Others to mention:
Grillo Sicilia Isola della Fiamma, Cantino Rolla 2023 at just £7.50 a bottle !! @thewinesociety1874
Sawyer, Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2022 at £25.50 from @australianvintners @sawyerwineco
Pasotismo Blanco from Paso Primero @pasoprimero get 3 bottles for £60.95
Penna Lane, Clare Valley, Riesling - also from @australianvintners at £18.50 a bottle - a steal! @pennalanewines
Rose Wine Choices:
3️⃣ Familie Laplace Les 3 Petits Cochons Rose £12-15 from Chateau Aydie and made from Tannat - high concentration of fruit and hint of tannin.
2️⃣ Vale Da Calada Rose, Alentejo £8-9 from a variety of online places. This is a great value
for money rose from Portugal with it created from Aragonez and Touriga Franca grapes.
1️⃣ Berry Brothers Explorer Series Tarrango Rose £16-18 @berrybrothers_au- 100% Tarrango, wild berried rose - lovely depth and yet full of freshness.
One thing to mention:
If you love Whispering Angel then try Rock Angel or push the boat out and grab a bottle of Garrus - a real game changer @chateaudesclans
Red Wine Choices:
1️⃣ Quimay 2022 Malbec from @thewinesociety1874 at only around £8-10
2️⃣ @valliwine 2017 Waitaki Valley Pinot Noir from Central Otago, NZ £60+
3️⃣ @winderlea Pinot Noir 2020 from Dundee Hills, Oregon £35+
4️⃣ @domainejones Fitou! Could there be a lineup with one of my favourites! £14-16
5️⃣ @weingutjordan Zweigelt Grosse Reserva 2019 - the “42” - signifying 42 months in oak! An incredible bottle, design and wine! £25+
6️⃣ @lymebaywine Crows Nest Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2020 - a sublime English drop £35
I’ve outlined a few more here too for different budgets:
Salice Salentino Riserva from @aldiuk at under £8
Lidl have the @bolgrad_official Saperavi Ukrainian red which is a great drop under £10 @lidlgb
Penfolds Koonunga Hills Shiraz-Cabernet at £9 from @penfolds @asdaprteam
I will also likely open something very special too with a 2007 St Emilion Grand Cru (Chateau Laroze) - but that’s a secret 🤣
Wines with the Cheese Course:
1️⃣ @calemporto a brilliant Port house! I’ve got a cheeky little selection box here of a variety of styles perfect to compliment those cheeses
2️⃣ @krohnportwine another brilliant producer for those looking for ease of purchase, found all over in the U.K.
3️⃣ @taylorsportwine a cocktail perhaps? Try their White Port - brilliant either just over ice, with tonic or as a main ingredient in a cocktail!
4️⃣ Maybe Madeira is more your cuppa so look at @henriquesehenriquesmadeira who do a wonderful Malvasia
5️⃣ Or go for the @gonzalezbyassuk Apostoles VORS Sherry
Some suggestions for you - most of these are available in the shops like @majesticwine @waitrose @masterofmalt
Dessert Wines:
3️⃣ @denbies_wine_estate Orange Solaris 2022 - one of my fave orange wines and made in the U.K. too! Around £28
2️⃣ @seifriedestate Sweet Riesling - lusciously sweet! From Nelson NZ. Available from @laithwaites.wine at £14.99 when mixed with 12 or £17.99 stand alone.
1️⃣ @arteliumwine Collaborators 2020 Vermouth - base wine of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier before being distilled. After all the vermouth I drank this year in Barcelona - this will be top of my list! £25
Others worthy of note:
@thewinesociety1874 Wine Society Exhibition Sauternes - a classic - half bottle <£15
Quady Essensia Californian Orange Muscat - variety of places around £15
Colheita Tardia Moscato - lovely sweet fragrant wine from Portugal too ! Not easily found!
Whisky Time:
Thanks to the Whisky Blending Kit from @chivas I will be making my own concoctions which is exciting!
Whisky’s that also are worth a mention and will be no doubt sampled post dinner:
@theglendronachofficial 12 year - a favourite!
@glenelgin a speyside tipple!
@balblairwhisky another 12 year!
@boutiqueywhisky great company and boy a punch to it too!
@nikkawhiskyeu for all your Japanese whisky needs!
There may well be Rums too - if anyone cares to find out more just reach out.
Most importantly, thanks to all my readers for this year, it has been my pleasure to write these notes and I look forward to a fun and prosperous 2025!
What will you be drinking at Christmas?
Merry Christmas! 🥂
Cheers 🍷
Andy aka The Northern Wine Guy
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