Wines For Christmas 2021
Time to plan for some delicious wine matches for festive feasts and Christmas dinner. Here are some great selections to choose from.
Planning what to drink for Christmas is a great excuse to try something different, splash out and even indulge in breakfast wine. If you normally stick to the safe bets such as Rioja and Malbec, or Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc, Michelle Lawlor from The Nude Wine Co has put together an eclectic mix of fun, delicious and accessible wines to elevate your Christmas festivities.
CHRISTMAS EVE
Christmas Eve is when we can finally exhale knowing that all the work and planning is done and it's time to relax. For some of us it's about taking the ham out of the oven and having a warm ham sandwich on fresh bread with melted butter.
If you are partial to Sauvignon Blanc and are those vibrant and punchy tropical flavours then why not try a white from Cotes de Gascogne in Southern France. Superb value and quality and always under €15, this is well worth seeking out. Wondering what the best red wine to have with a ham sandwich is? We have a fruity red from Spain that does exactly what it says on the tin and is a huge crowd pleaser no matter what your taste is.
1 Domaine Menard Cuvee Marine Cotes de Gascogne, France €13.75 per bottle
Although this is from France, the intensity of the tropical fruit would make you think you were sipping on New Zealand's finest. Think tropical ripe pineapples, grapefruit and passionfruit. Dry, fruity and super zesty.
2 Gran Cerdo, Tempranillo, Organic, Spain €14.65 per bottle
An absolute stunner from the Rioja region and made from the most important Rioja grape, Tempranillo, this is bright, fruity, ripe and fun. A customer favourite and for good reason. Not to mention there is a pig on the label.
BREAKFAST WINE
What better way to kick start the festivities than with breakfast (or brunch) wine.
Whether having scrambled eggs, a sausage sandwich or doing the full Irish, a glass of fizz will set the tone of the day.
We have a couple of options that are both bone dry, fresh, fruity and joyous to drink. Pink prosecco made its mark this year and whilst it was a huge summer hit, don’t overlook how good it is with a bacon sandwich. Champagne can be delicious, but it is not always the best value for money. Try an artisan Cava for all the flavour without the price tag.
3 La Jara Organic Sparkling Prosecco Rose €16 per bottle
Made in the traditional Prosecco fashion, but with a small percentage of red grapes, this sparkling pink wine is dry and tastes like peaches, apricots and strawberries. Its absolutely excellent! At 10 per cent alcohol, it goes down very nicely indeed.
4 Maria Casanovas Organic Cava Brut de Brut €23.80 per bottle
We love this Cava so much! Made from exclusively white grapes it is a glass of finesse. Elegant, refined and tastes like twice the price. This is fresh, crisp and with a lovely mouthfeel and richness. The only problem is you won’t want to share.
THE MAIN MEAL
Christmas Dinner takes on so many different guises; the traditional turkey and ham, the vegan contingent, or those who go for a Beef Wellington or even Pork. And that’s before we even talk about potatoes done five different ways. Whatever you are eating, there is always a medley of strong flavours, so the best wines to look at are those which are fruity and opulent, and can contend with what’s on the plate.
Go Quirky
Opting for quirky wines is a great approach if you have wine lovers to please and want to impress them.
5 Borgo dei Trulli Organic Vermentino, Italy €14.99
Produced from 100% Vermentino this dry and ripe with mouth-watering citrussy flavours. Think lemon zest, lemon sherbet and orange peel, with hints of apricot and Mediterranean herbs. Fragrant and fun, this wine is ideal for anyone who is partial to a glass of Albarino.
6 Borgo dei Trulli Organic Salice Salentino, Italy €14.99
This is a wine for anyone who loves dark, rich flavours and a big full body. These opulent and rich flavours are complemented by chocolate and coffee notes coming from the short time spent in oak. If you are a fan of Malbec or Shiraz, this wine will knock your socks off.
Go Classic
If you prefer to stick to the classics and old favourites, two of the best come from France; Chablis for white wine lovers and Southern Rhone for red wine drinkers.
7 Domain Droin, Chablis 2019 €30.50
This Chablis is so good it gives us tingles. Chablis is the most famous unoaked Chardonnay in the world. It is bone dry and crisp, with a rich mouthfeel. Weighty and creamy it has a flavour. An excellent wine worthy of any Chablis fan.
8 Montirius, Vacqueyras 'Garrigues' €27.00
An instantly enticing wine, the vibrant and intense aromas draw you straight in. Brilliant value for money and a must for anyone who likes Chateauneuf du Pape but without the price tag. Layered flavours of fruit, herbs, spice and minerality. Yummy!
WINE FOR STEPHENS DAY
I love Stephen’s Day for the lie-in followed by a nice walk with friends and as many Christmas sandwiches that I can handle. Whether you go for a Christmas sandwich to use up the leftovers, or are a turkey curry fan, the following wines are light, fresh and mouth-wateringly good. And if you don’t fancy these, revert to the section above on breakfast wines.
9 Eidosela, Albarino, Rias Baixas €16.75
Albarino is a wine to discover if you haven’t tried it yet, a grape native to the North Western tip of Spain, up where the Camino de Santiago walk is. This wine has vibrant flavours of peaches and apricots with a crisp citrussy backbone.
10 Domaine de la Plaigne, Beaujolais Villages €19.95
At Burgundy's Southern tip is the region of Beaujolais, famous for light and medium bodied fruity high quality wines. This bottle of Beaujolais is just delicious and better than most Beaujolais. Complimenting the ripe fruit are delicious savoury aromas. This is a real winner for us and it's more akin to a good Fleurie and at this price point.
All wines are available at thenudewineco.ie
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