It’s that time of year again, when we want to be creative with what we offer our friends and loved ones when they come to visit. There’s the challenge of appealing to everyone’s tastes, not appearing as predictable as pigs in blankets, and seeking out something unique, without being so off-piste in your choices that guests are too scared to let go of the obligatory warm mug of mulled wine. This year I’ve managed to find a little stash of goodies that will not disappoint the taste buds, satisfy a variety of palettes, and help you out of any last-minute dilemmas of what to serve.
First up, is the beautiful, very easy, and well-priced Marques de Murrieta Rioja Reserva 2017. An elegant and sophisticated blend with beautifully sculptured fruit, subtle spice and silken tannins. It’s a dark and intense red in colour. You get deep aromas of red and black fruits with hints of spicy oak on the palette and as a full bodied and ripe style wine, it has a positive structure and a long dark cherry and leathery oak finish. This would be my wine of choice to offer guests who would rather enjoy goose or beef over the Christmas period.
There is a rich complexity to Marques de Murrieta Reserva 2017 from its fruity layers and its tannins that would appeal to even the most demanding palates.
At £25 a bottle (depending on the retailer), it’s a great find and available widely at wine merchants. A couple of readily stocked places are Frazier’s Wine Merchants and Fenwick’s, where there is also a gift bag offer.
Next, a toast to Louis Roederer Collection 243, a sheer masterpiece at an amazing price-point (from £44.95). This bottle of fizz is the result of 20 years of research into global warming, which of course, has changed the way they farm to organic and biodynamic preparations, and the way they make the champagne to naturally preserve freshness in a climate that is getting increasingly hotter. Grapes are hand-harvested, and the wine is aged for three and a half years before release, allowing for complexity to develop.
Collection 243 has been created from Louis Roederer’s Perpetual Reserve and oak-aged reserve wines complemented by the finest successes of the 2018 harvest.
With its remarkable richness, intensity, and depth, it is considered superior to many vintage Champagnes. This award-winning rich, toasty Brut is an incredible crowd-pleaser and goes great with food. Try it with your roast turkey, stuffing and parsnips to add a touch of class to lunch. Available at Mr. Wheeler, Majestic and Waitrose to name just a few of the retailers where you can find Collection 243.
I think this may be the time to confess I am quite partial to a good G&T. My choice for this season – especially if you are gifting it – would be Cotswolds Dry Gin in a Personalised Premium Wood Gift Box (£62), from Farrar & Tanner. This award-winning gin is the result of blending nine botanicals, including local lavender from the Cotswolds and freshly peeled pink grapefruit and lime zest. Don’t worry if it goes a bit cloudy when you add ice or tonic. This is due to the unusually high volume of botanicals in it.
Presented in a box crafted from elm wood with an elegant lacquered finish, this gift can be made extra special with a personal message engraved along the top of the box.
Hand-crafted in small batches, the expression of the traditional London dry style in Cotswolds Dry Gin comes from the maceration of the botanicals into their pure wheat spirit of juniper, coriander and angelica root, left for 24 hours to allow the full infusion of flavour.
For something a little bit different this Christmas, why not try a tequila? Padre Azul Premium Tequila Añejo (£119.95) is an Austrian inspired, Mexican crafted, 100 percent artisanal tequila, elaborated with agave grown for at least eight years. The first smells are the cooked agave, vanilla and coconut produced in the slow cooking process. There are citrus aromas, vapours of English mint, and cherry, peach, and pineapple notes. The taste is velvety and intense, with the spectrum of flavours from the cooked agave to all of the fruity wonder, providing both a sweet and powerful style.
Padre Azul Añejo is a super premium tequila particularly complex in its flavours with an extremely long, smooth finish.
Produced by a family business in the region of Jalisco (Mexico), under the expertise of Master Distiller Erika Sangeado, the unique and gift-worthy bottle is completely handmade, from its skull to its leather coat. A great conversation piece, this is certain to warm up the cockles in sub-zero temperatures and is suitable to start or finish off a celebratory Christmas or New Year meal.
Available from Selfridges and Il Gusto.
And last, one of my personal favourites, Courvoisier XO Royal, the newest expression from Maison Courvoisier. This is an ultra-premium spirit, inspired by the cognac blends that graced the royal courts of Europe in the 20th century, including Edward VII, who commissioned his own blend. Apparently, a few precious bottles can still be found in the famous Paradis Cellar in Courvoisier’s soul place, Jarnac, France – the heart of the Cognac region.
The bottle is crafted in a teardrop shape and features a stunning glass stopper with facets to represent the maximum age of the eaux-de-vie in the blend.
Courvoisier XO Royal represents the marriage of old Fins Bois de Jarnac with a selection of carefully selected Grande Champagne eaux-de-vie. Beautiful to enjoy and perfect as a special gift for someone. You’ll find it from £279 at several retailers. My picks are The Whisky Shop and Harrods
So, no need to ruminate any further on drink choices; you can now spend more time decorating your tree, or simply, enjoying the festive season. Merry Christmas!
Words: Linda Hunting
Opening picture: Alexander Fox | Planet Fox, Pixabay
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