Getting wine right at Christmas is more important than any other time of year. Our resident wine expert Wackus Bachus gives some tips for enjoying wine to the full over the festive period and recommends some local buys.
Whilst certain combinations of food and wine work, there should be no rules. If you like Sauvignon Blanc with sirloin steak or red wine with fish, go for it. Or be traditional with fizz as a pre-prandial, white with the starter and red with the main course. The French will often start with a sweet wine -the non-p.c. fois gras and Sauternes is a culinary marriage made in heaven. Moving swiftly on…….
Do we stick to serving the same wine at one event? I like tasting lots of different bottles but if it’s a large do people might not get to taste some.
As for price, one man’s every day bottle is another’s weekend treat. Temperature is crucial. When the fridge is full to capacity, chilling whites and sparkling is difficult – pile them in a plastic trug (from Poores) of cold water and ice and they’ll be perfect in 15 mins. Let reds get to room temperature, if they’re too cold, the tannins can be exaggerated and appear tough.
Lastly.decent wines deserve proper glasses. Plain, tulip shaped with the bowl bigger than the aperture are perfect for swirling wine around to release the aroma.
THE WINES
Waitrose, M&S and Majestic are pretty much neck and neck in terms of their wine choice and quality and they’re all nearby. We asked them to recommend their favourite wines for Christmas and we gave them the once-over.
MAJESTIC were the most adventurous in terms of both numbers and choice, going for both classic and more eclectic styles.
White
Carignan Old Vines Cotes Catalanes 2014 £11.99 /£7.99 (mix & match 6) From the unusual white Carignan grape (more usually red) a stunning wine with a honeysuckle nose and rich minerally textured palate. Be different Chablis William Fevre La Maladiere 2013 £14.99 or £13.49 (mix &match 6) Red Beaujolais Lantignie Louis Jadot 2014 from Majestic £11.99 or £7.99 (mix & match 6) Delicious sweet succulent fruit, Beaujolais with real character. They say drink within 3 years, I say drink it this Christmas with your turkey!
Belleruche Cotes du Rhone Chapoutier 2014 £10.65 / £7.99 (mix & match 6)
Top Rhone producer, this Grenache Syrah really packs a punch. Spicy and with lovely texture, better value than say Chateuneuf du Pape.
Sparkling
Definition Prosecco Superiore DOCG £12.99 or £9.74 (mix & match 6)
Classic candy-floss aromas and soft gentle mouthfeel that define the fizzy phenomenon that is Prosecco. Great value. J. de Telmont Champagne Grande Reserve nv £19.99 or £13.32 (mix & match 6) A quite developed style of Champagne, with a lot of complexity for the price. Not for those who prefer their Champagne fresh and elegant. Sweet Vistamar Moscatel Late Harvest Limari Valley Chile 2014 £7.99 or £5.33 when you mix and match any 6 bottles (half bottle) Pale amber, honey and oranges aroma, pure liquid marmalade on the palate, beautifully balanced and not cloying.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————
M&S went down quite a traditional route.
White
Chablis Domaine Brocard Organic 2014 £15
Great weight and perfectly balanced with refreshing acidity. The perfect unoaked antidote for those who don’t like Chardonnay!
Red
Chateauneuf du Pape Les Closiers Ogier 2014 £20
From a top producer, a very mellow red with lots of spicy mid palate complexity Sparkling
Herbert Beaufort Champagne Grand Cru £33
This is a big-hitter, what strikes is the instantly elegant nose and rich toasty complex mouthfeel. For when only the best will do
——————————————————————————————————————————————————.
WAITROSE also took a classic approach
White
Macon Villages Chapelle Aux Loups 2014 Louis Jadot £11.99
Pear and flora aromas abound. Clean very restrained palate, so typical of this chalky region. Crisp balanced finish.
Red
Rioja Vina Lorea Crianza 2011 £9.99
Crianza is the best value style Rioja, all coconuts on the nose, rich elegant and smooth, with fine grainy tannins.
Sparkling
La Gioiosa Prosecco Superiore 2014 Valdobbiadene £13.49
Lovely spicy rose petal aromas, combine with a clean, elegant refreshing palate and soft gentle bubbles.