Plan Early for Christmas!

Angela Mount

It’s a known fact that 85% of wine bought for Christmas is left until the week before the Big Day. And with a million and one things to organize, it’s very easy to see why. But it’s actually an easy one to get ticked off the list early, if you follow a few basic guidelines; no rules, but there are styles of wine that naturally suit the rich feast that we will be serving up on the day. Here’s our simple guide to make your decisions easy!

[caption id="attachment_658" align="aligncenter" width="1008"] Maison Trimbach in the Snow[/caption]

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BUBBLES

Bucks Fizz is a great way to start the day, but save the Champagne until later, and ease in to the day gently, mixing fresh orange juice with Ruggeri Prosecco Brut Quartese NV (£13.95 with 20% off six) – this delightfully fresh, gentle, fragrant Prosecco would be equally good on its own, and at only 11% alcohol, is a lighter way to start the festivities… and a good glass to have on hand, whilst you’re getting the chosen bird ready for the oven.

Christmas means Champagne and this year, my top pick is

Champagne Gobillard Brut Grande Reserve Premier Cru NV (£22.00 with 20% off six) – from a small family grower, it outplays many of the big brands in terms of quality, style and value. Made from 50% Chardonnay, it has a lightness of touch, and an entrancing elegance and poise – soft and creamy, with aromas of toasted brioche and russet apples, lifted by a delicious edge of citrusy freshness.

WHITE WINES

White wine choices are important at Christmas; starters are often smoked salmon or prawn based, so a zippy Sauvignon blanc, or a lime-fresh, dry Riesling would be perfect.  However it’s often simpler to pick a food-friendly white, which is very versatile and will also match the bird of choice, for those who want to drink white wine.  If you’re cooking goose, Chenin Blanc is a superb match, and I’d look no further than Ken Forrester’s fruity, and stylish Reserve Chenin Blanc 2012 (£10.95). But for a white that works perfectly with turkey and all the rich stuffings, I always go back to Chardonnay. There are 2 options here – the cool, stylish Decanter award-winning Leyda Chardonnay Reserve 2012, at a ridiculously great price of £7.88, bursting with smooth, tropical fruit, crisp zestiness and without a hint of oak; or go classic with Chablis Domaine Bernard Defaix 2012 (£13.16), with its trademark racy edge, crisp, baked apple fruit and citrus tang – a true thoroughbred.

RED WINES

For reds, I tend to avoid anything too serious or too tannic at Christmas; you need fruit-driven, soft reds, to enjoy through the feast, wines which will cope with the myriad flavours of spices and herbs that are used in all the trimmings. Pinot Noir is always my first choice – its natural sweetness and softness are a great partner. This year, my vote goes to Carrick Unravelled Pinot Noir 2011 (£12.76), from New Zealand. Packed with sumptuous aromas of wild cherries and violets, it’s a soft style of red, with a lightness of touch, no tough tannins, yet with a simply glorious richness of effortless, velvety, seductive, bright fruit flavours.

Rhone wines are another favourite at Christmas with their rich, bold spicy character, and Domaine Brusset Gigondas Tradition 2011 (£17.60), would be a perfect treat, with its heady, rich, blackberry and mocha spiced fruit and sumptuous, spicy finish.

A SWEET TREAT TO FINISH

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without Port, and Quinta do Crasto LBV (£12.50) ticks all the boxes here, with its rich, raisin, and fig warmth.  However, for a lighter take on a wine to match the intense sweetness and richness of Christmas pud, mince pies, brandy butter and cake, why not indulge in a slightly lighter, gloriously sweet, dessert wine, which will be a luscious match, but with a refreshing citrusy edge. My favourite this year is Patricius  late Harvest Tokaji Katinka 2011 (£11.88), which is sold in convenient half bottles. It’s sweet, and full of ripe, dried apricot, mango and raisin flavours, with an intense aroma of rich, Scottish honey, and candied orange; but at only 11% alcohol, and with a bold, citrus-spiked, edge, which will do a superb job at perking up any jaded palate.  For a real, push-the-boat out treat however, indulge in a half bottle of the marvelous Peller Ice Wine (£29.92).

AM