By Christine Bertoli
Wines for every Festive Moment
The Christmas period has a unique ability to pull in opposite directions. We may feel genuine warmth toward the season while also sensing the tension it can bring. This is not a contradiction; it’s a natural response to a time of the year that carries nostalgia, expectation and interruption all at once.
With that in mind, let us help you navigate those key festive moments with a little more ease. When choosing the right bottle, it can be helpful to consider what the occasion calls for: brightness to open an evening, structure for the main event, and something uplifting when the pace begins to slow. Below, you’ll find some recommendations to guide you from the first apéritif to the last toast of the year.
Apéritifs and Starters: Setting the Tone
Look for lively wines that awaken the palate without overwhelming it. Sparkling wines excel — especially those with fine bubbles and fresh acidity. Our Crémant du Jura Blanc de Noirs from Tissot-Maire offers precisely that. This Crémant shows the precision and craft of traditional method sparkling wine, shaped by the Jura’s distinctive savoury character: Pinot Noir brings buoyant notes of crushed strawberry and prune, while a mineral core provides a clean, refreshing bite. Alternatively, turn to 2016 Marraine Pooks from Breaky Bottom, a truly distinctive English sparkling from the South Downs. The late Peter Hall coaxed extraordinary character from this Seyval Blanc cuvée: extended ageing on the lees imbues this wine with apple, lemon zest and an invigorating verve. Delightful!
Dinner Parties: Flexibility Without the Stress
A multi-course dinner party thrives on contrast, and our Mixed Cases are designed to provide it. Bringing together a spectrum of styles covering different regions and winemaking traditions, they offer generosity and ease in equal measure. Our Not to be Missed case presents approachable and delicious wines from across Europe. The Classic collection takes you on a road trip through iconic French appellations, with a delightful interlude in Rioja. Their charm lies in their intentional variety: each bottle remains true to its place and producer, yet together they form a thread of contrasting — and complementary — flavours that can effortlessly see a dinner party through from first pour to final glass.
Christmas Eve: A Fireside Moment
Port remains a quietly reassuring companion for Christmas Eve. These C&B Ports offer a glimpse into two distinct expressions. Corney & Barrow Ruby Finest Reserve Port NV has a classic, fruit-led style: vibrant, approachable and ideal for those who enjoy Port in its most youthful form. Purity of fruit is the central theme, with juicy plum and blackcurrant compote leading the flavour profile, lifted by a subtle chocolate note from maturation in large, seasoned oak vats. The multiple layers encapsulated in Corney & Barrow Tawny Port have been nurtured for over 20 years in small, seasoned casks. The resulting fortified wine is an amber-hued expression of hazelnut, orange spice, nougat and silky caramel. Both are delicious. And both suit the reflective calm of an evening by the fireside — and Santa may appreciate a glass alongside a mince pie!
Christmas Day: Structured Reds for the Main Event
The heart of Christmas Day dining usually revolves around a centrepiece roast. This calls for a wine with structure and personality. A Claret delivers both with poise. Created in collaboration with the historic Right Bank Maison Sichel, Reserve Claret 2020 is medium-bodied, classically framed and Merlot-led: ripe plum, black cherry and a touch of mulberry form the core, supported by hints of cocoa and well-knit tannins. Château Rocheyron Grand Cru Saint-Emilion 2017 will entice with its floral, berry fruit signature plus a touch of menthol and black tea — an exceptional treat for your table. They have the presence to stand up to richer dishes while retaining a freshness that keeps the palate lifted throughout the meal.
Boxing Day: Lighter Reds for a Gentle Lift
After the excitement of Christmas Day, lighter reds can feel wonderfully restorative, especially those with soft tannins and bright fruit, such as Weingut Kracher Zweigelt Burgenland 2020. Naturally juicy and spice-edged, its gentle peppery charm is shaped by the region’s warm days and cool nights. Its delicacy and gentle spice make it an easy companion for cold cuts or a relaxed afternoon with family. Do not let the relatively pale colour belie the textural qualities of A. Christmann Spätburgunder 2019. Its herbal, violet and red berry notes show how restraint can be just as satisfying as power.
New Year’s Eve: Champagne for Connection and Celebration
Naturally, Champagne is de rigueur for that final toast of the year. Multiple bottle formats make the Champagnes from Delamotte a thoughtful choice for groups of any size, from an intimate tête-à-tête dinner to a larger gathering. Champagne Delamotte Brut NV and Champagne Delamotte Blanc de Blancs NV express the hallmark elegance of the Côte des Blancs. The Brut offers lemon rind and incisive minerals while the Blanc de Blancs adds delicate effervescence, bright green apple, brioche and a chalky finish shaped by extended lees ageing. They lend joy and beauty to the evening, helping create the impressions and memories that linger long after the corks have been set aside.