The turkey has been ordered, online and in store shopping has been processed and now it’s time to focus on the wine. Whether filling the table for you and your Christmas dinner guests to enjoy or picking up a last-minute gift, I have six fantastic wines below for you to choose from. Covering all bases, there are a range of styles, along with suggestions for food pairings that will set you up for the Yuletide season and beyond.
Going All Out for Your Centrepiece
Domaine Germain Père & Fils Saint-Romain Le Jarron, 2022
A seductive nose with acres of stone fruit and citrus encased in a delightful flinty minerality. Lucious but clean. On the palate this continues with a richness from lees ageing and oak influence from 9 months in the barrel but is refreshed by a vibrant acidity that gives pitch perfect balance before leading into a mineral finish. Absolutely perfect with a cold seafood platter, poultry and fish dishes.
Limited stock available for this year, buy in Whelehans Wines, Loughlinstown, €49 (www.whelehanswines.ie)
Enzo Bianchi Gran Corte 2021,
From San Rafael Mendoza this is a malbec lead Bordeaux type blend, this comes with a rich, broad and expressive nose with deep ripe mulberries, dense fruit but lifted by warm spice and herbal notes. The palate is distinctly sensual, plush and velvety fruit marries together with delicate spice and smooth tannins. This is complex but exciting with well-integrated alcohol and a decadent finish. Ideal with a roast beef centrepiece but also stews, braises and game such as venison.
Pete’s Provisions Raheny, www.petesprovisions.ie, Coopers Bottle Shop Sutton, Wine Grove Castlebar, and other independents, €60
Domaine Henri Delagrange et Fils Volnay Vieilles Vignes 2021
Deliciously succulent red berried fruit on the nose with scents of soft raspberries, sweet strawberry encased in a cage of florals but with an earthy quality. This is gentle but measured, confident yet elegant with a gorgeous velvety lushness to this, with plump morello cherries alongside vibrant and clean acidity to balance perfectly. A red wine possibility for a nice free-range bronze turkey but equally alongside other roasted poultry and game birds.
Boutique Wines, www.boutiquewines.ie, €79
Crowd Pleasing Aperitif
Champagne Yves Jacques MCM 32
An equal blend of the three grape varieties in Champagne, this is vibrantly fresh with plenty of crisp apple notes, white peach and uplifting lemon zest. This is a very fresh Champagne, crisp with a lovely clean finish and is fantastic value for a well-balanced sparkling that I am sure will please everyone. A delightful aperitif to serve on its own or with canapés, I am very impressed with the universality of this crowd-pleaser.
Molloys Liquor Store, www.molloys.ie, €39.99
Seafood Winners
Olim Bauda Gavi Di Gavi 2023
Breezy, slight floral notes sit neatly alongside pear and green apple with vivacious grated lemon zest. The orchard fruits extend to the palate in a serious wine, fresh and dry yet full of texture with a stony mineral finish. Well-structured, fresh and with tonnes of character, this is a Gavi well worth enjoying. Pair with shellfish, fish with a creamy sauce, chicken or even turkey.
Mitchell and Son, www.mitchellandson.com, €24.95
Domaine Denis Race Chablis 1er Cru ‘Montmains’ 2021
From a fantastic family run estate comes this stunningly Vibrant Chablis that is classic at its core with elegant fruit, herbal and lemon curd aromas alongside a deeply intense minerality. Intensely mineral and clean with perfectly poised acidity and a wonderful juicy generosity, I would serve this with a plate of naked oysters with a spritz of lemon juice for a perfect accompaniment. Otherwise, any other shellfish such as crab, scallops and lobster or goat cheese would be a welcome pairing.
Mitchell and Son, www.mitchellandson.com, €34.95
Cathal - 37 - Galway - Food and Drink Writer | Wine Columnist Business Post | Cook | Recipe Creator | Restaurant Reviewer | Wine and Cocktails Lover | Food Education Enthusiast |
