Christmas Wine Recommendations 2017

Christmas is certainly a time for embracing the familiar, treating ourselves to what we know and love best. And yet while a time of indulgence it also represents an opportunity to try out something new. The problem arises however when people have too many choices, causing bad choices to arise. So, when it comes to wine, how do we choose? The supermarket aisles are flowing with so many options, the off-licences can sometimes be daunting and confusing. So for Christmas I’m presenting a number of different options from suggestions with seafood to roast turkey and, with just two exceptions, all are under €15 so shouldn’t break the bank.

Red Meats

Domaine de la Belle Estelle Cairanne

A Côtes du Rhône Villages, this Cairanne from Aldi is a full bodied wine but has a subtlety and elegance that beguiles its high volume. A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, with notes of autumn fruit, this is ideal for red meats, casseroles, or on its own to sweep you up in its blanket of autumnal and winter comfort. I’m very impressed with this for the price of €10.99 so pick up a few bottles if you can still find it in your local Aldi store.

Il Poggione

Head to Thomas Woodberry Wines in Galway and pick up this great value Il Poggione Sangiovese with 14% Merlot and Cabernet to slightly soften the acidity of the Sangiovese. This is very much a drinking wine but if you want to pair with food think pasta dishes, or beef. Very approachable, very enjoyable, you won’t be disappointed. On offer at the reduced price of €14.95

For Seafood and Poultry

Müller Grüner Veltliner

Another from Thomas Woodberry Wines this Müller Grüner Veltliner is dry and crisp with aromas of citrus and hints of spice and is a well-rounded balanced wine. High acidity makes this an excellent pairing with seafood, especially oysters and caviar, and offers an alternative to Chardonnay but with versatility that makes it a worthy choice for turkey too. A good all-rounder and currently reduced from €17.95 to €14.95

Exquisite Clare Valley Riesling

The Exquisite Collection Clare Valley Riesling from Aldi at €9.99 is fantastic value for a wine of this quality. A wonderfully refreshing wine with notes of lime zest and apple to the fore this is another excellent choice for a wine that will go with anything from seafood and smoked salmon or even as an aperitif

For Turkey and Ham

Vegamar Garnacha

With an intense nose of redcurrant and strawberry this Vegamar Garnacha is a well structured wine with soft tannins that provides a wine equivalent of cranberry sauce. Non-oaked and fruit forward with a smooth finish it would be excellent with a turkey or other seasonal meats like goose and other game. Available from Thomas Woodberry Wines at the reduced price of €13.95

Domaine Chamfort Côtes du Rhône

If you’re looking for another red to perhaps go with turkey and ham then you can’t go wrong with lighter French reds such as Fleurie or Beaujolais. A touch larger is this Domaine Chamfort Côtes du Rhône from Thomas Woodberry Wines but with smooth tannins to make it a match. 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 10% Cinsault this Côtes du Rhône offers notes of red fruit with soft fragrant spice and a finish of candied fruit. Reduced from €14.95 to €12.95

For the Cheeseboard

Móinéir Strawberry Wine

Wicklow Way Wines, the Irish fruit winery from Pamela Walsh and Brett Stephenson, have produced Móinéir Strawberry Wine is my recommendation for something a little different to bring to the table this Christmas. Using 100% Irish fruit there are about 150 strawberries in each bottle. This is not a sweet dessert wine as you might imagine but rather has an off dry style with a hint of sweetness and delicate aromas. Excellent as an aperitif, with seafood, or indeed a wine to be served alongside your cheeseboard and would work well with a creamy goat cheese. They also have Móinéir Blackberry Wine which could be another option for the cheeseboard, think something blue, or indeed red meats. Both are available from McCambridges, Galway, and other specialty food and wine retailers.

The rest

Nothing quite screams the flavours of Christmas to me quite like a good port and Aldi have a few available, most notably Maynard’s 40 year old Tawny Port which is an absolute cracker (pardon the pun) and available at the fantastic price of €39.99. They also have a Maynard’s 10 year old Tawny Port available at what seems like a steal at €13.99. Both an excellent accompaniment to cheese and also to dried fruit based desserts like Christmas pudding, fruit cake and mince pies. If you’re looking for some fizz to get the party started you can’t go wrong with the Tesco Finest Prosecco DOC which although retailing at €15 per bottle is currently in a 6 bottles for €50 offer. With 5% off 6 bottles it works out a paltry €7.92 per bottle. Now that’s certainly an offer to get you in the party spirit.