Whether you have a proper cellar or just a modest rack in your kitchen, having a good selection of high-quality wines at home at Christmas helps you elevate festive family meals or enhance the enjoyment of entertaining friends during the holidays. However, the last thing you’ll probably want to do is any extra cooking. With this in mind, we are pairing our selection of wines with easy snacks and hors d’ouvres that take no time at all to prepare.
WHITES:
MAHI TWIN VALLEYS CHARDONNAY 2022
Traditionally, the white wine to have at Christmas would be Burgundy. Its freshness and rich weight from ageing in oak barrels complement the chillier weather and heavier foods of the season. However, a series of very small harvests has left the wine scarce and the prices stratospheric. Wine expert Alexandra Tilling suggest trying instead Mahi Twin Valleys Chardonnay from Marlborough.
Mahi Twin Valleys Chardonnay 2022 shows a perfect balance between alcohol and acidity. Lovely creamy texture and citrus notes.
This is a stunning single vineyard Chardonnay made in the image of white Burgundy. Marlborough is – surprisingly – a cooler region even than Burgundy so you can expect the same freshness and energy, combined with the citrus fruit and richer almond and spice notes from subtle oak ageing, and at the more accessible price point. This is also a wine very versatile to pair. It will go with flavours as different as almonds, smoked mackerel pate and cheese straws. £27 at Solent Cellar.
ORIN SWIFT MANNEQUIN CHARDONNAY 2022
Chardonnay is the most common white wine grape in California, which is grown in a wide variety of styles in the state. The grapes for Oris Mannequin were sourced from some of the region’s best vineyards. After careful crafting and ageing in French oak barrels, they got a wine which bursts with aromas of peach, pear caramel apple, and a touch of citrus.
Orin Swift Mannequin Chardonnay 2022 is a brilliant white that will delight you with its silky palate, rich in stone fruit, caramel and honeydew.
On the palate, it develops further to reveal a hint of butterscotch and spice. A very well-balanced wine with a creamy texture and long finish which holds its own when paired with food. Don’t be scared to serve it with strong cheese or even wasabi crisps. £50 from Majestic.
MORGADO DE STA CATHERINA 2022
Wines from Lisbon have not received the credit they deserve outside Portugal. The region is home to many stunning wines, among them Morgado de Sta Catherina. Made from Arinto grape, a variety emblematic of the central coast of the country. The hot weather and proximity to the Atlantic sea give Morgado de St Catherina its crispy and lively character and its salinity.
Morgado de Sta Catherina is a full-body white wine, fresh and mineral, with toasty notes from ageing in oak barrels.
On the nose, Morgado has aromas of stone and citrus fruit which once in the mouth, develop to reveal further aromas from ageing in oak barrels. It has a good body, which is great to balance the acidity from the Atlantic. Excellent with cod croquettes and soft to medium cheeses, such as Manchego semi-curado. £32 from Hic!.
REDS:
QUINTA DO PINTO TINTA MIÚDA 2017
We are staying in the Lisbon region for our first red wine recommendation. A limited edition exclusively made with Tinta Miúda grape, a late variety that loves warm climates. As with other Tinta Miüda wines, this Quinta do Pinto has a lovely deep ruby colour and is rich in tannins. Its balsamic aromas are speckled with berries, pepper and spice.
Quinta do Pinto Tinta Miúda from the Lisbon region is a silky rich red full of spice with notes of chocolate and forest fruits.
As it breathes, further notes of chocolate and coffee develop. On the palate, Quinta do Pinto reflects its nose, and feels silky, elegant and well-balanced with a long finish. It will go very well with charcuterie, strong pates and potent cheeses. Difficult to find in the UK but totally worth it. We found it in stock at The Winer’s Circle, for £32.30.
LES LAUNES 2021 CROZES-HERMITAGE
Again following Alexandra Tilling’s advice, we have picked a wine from Crozes-Hermitage, the largest appellation in the Northern Rhone Valley, as our second recommendation. This region is the benchmark for fine Syrah and Les Launes 2021 is an incredible wine for combining opulent richness with freshness, power, smoke and spice.
Les Launes 2021 is a fragrant, vibrant wine with an expressive nose and well-rounded palate with good tannins.
The colour is deep garnet and the nose is fruity, rich in cassis and plums. Tilling sums it up really well: “Think leather sofas and fireplaces”. It would pair phenomenally with a beef bourguignon but we are not cooking on this occasion, so we’ll serve it with a good plate of charcuterie instead and crusty toasted bread sprayed with extra-virgin olive oil. £22.95 from N.D. John Wine Merchants.
ORIN SWIFT ABSTRACT 2021/22
A Grenache-based blend with Syrah and Petite Syrah, Abstract is a generous red wine with a nose of wild berries and sweet fruit. On the palate, the aromas expand, revealing notes of dark chocolate. Fabulous body and a very long finish. The grippy tannins add a satisfying touch of tartness to the wine.
Orin Swift Abstract’s original label is made from 230 photographs pulled from magazines that founder Dave Swift Phinney purchased while travelling around the world.
This complex red will pair well with a variety of foods, from Turkish kebabs to braised beef, earthy vegetarian dishes or like we have done, with truffle brie on crusty bread. Decant before serving. £39.99 at Majestic.
And now, it is time for me to curl up by the fire with a good book and a glass of one of the above. Cheers!
Author: Julia Pasarón
Opening image: Alexander Fox / Pixabay
All other images: Lina Ress
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