2 minute read
By Joe Muller, Head of Monopole.
From my experience, a merry Christmas comes hand in hand with preparation. Some of the preparation can be rather mundane; I’m talking present lists, Christmas cards, the multitude of functions, along with the sheer logistics we undertake over the holiday period. However, there are two great tasks which almost deliver as much joy in their preparation as in their involvement… The food and drink!
When considering what I’m going to serve and enjoy, I like to partner the wine in line with the occasion at hand. For friends popping over for some Christmas carolling or just an old-fashioned yuletide catch-up, you want a white that is light, fresh and playful (but not too intense) with a touch of elegance. Our Soave Classico Brognoligo from Cecilia Beretta ticks those boxes perfectly. Made from 100% Garganega from the heart of their best plots in Veneto, the wine mostly sees stainless steel, giving gentle pear and citrus fruits that ride a lightly creamy palate. It will have your guests singing just as effortlessly, or asking enthusiastically for another pour.
Christmas Eve in our house means a traditional fish pie, and you can’t look past Parterre Semillon Sauvignon Blanc by Fraser Gallop when enjoying seafood. Hailing from a warm Mediterranean climate in Margaret River, this Aussie take on a white Bordeaux will work its magic perfectly. Blending 51% Semillon and 49% Sauvignon, there is a gentle richness delivered with a zippy backbone of acid and textural appeal coming from old barrique ageing. The region’s cooling sea breezes and gravel loam soils help promote a welcome mineral thread that sees it marry brilliantly with a variety of fish.
Now to the main event: whether a tasty mushroom wellington, turkey, goose, or a myriad of birds gracing your table, you cannot consider anything other than white Burgundy in my opinion. This will provide a wine with some structure to match the food, whilst treating your family and friends to the finesse the region has to offer. If you then pick the right vintage… Bullseye! There is only one winner here, the Beaune Blanc 1er Cru Champs Pimont 2017 from Domaine Jacques Prieur. Produced from a tiny 1.4 hectares, the limestone and marl soils give it a core focus and tension whilst bottle age has softened the palate to a graceful and charming place. Marvellous.
Chez Muller Boxing Day is always a big celebration. Here, I want a wine that will work with those cold cuts, bubble and squeak, inventive leftover recipes and cheese and pickle spreads, but also delivers an impressive white on its own merit too. Off-the-beaten-track Guru from Wine & Soul is pure joy and perfect for these fun-filled days. Made from indigenous Douro Valley varieties, this white is seductive and elegant, with nuanced, delicate white peach and citrus tones, carried on a fresh and stoney lingering finish.
As I was saying, some of the preparation can be good fun, and with this in mind, why not take charge sooner rather than later and explore our Christmas Hub?!