Christmas Wine: Staff Picks

To say that this year Christmas is looking a little different kind of goes without saying. But, that doesn’t mean we won't be drinking some stellar wines to see us into the much anticipated and longed for New Year. We asked some of our venerable colleagues which select bottles they’d be opening come Christmas Day and beyond…

David offers the following, without hesitation: Lambrusco Rosso, Camillo Donati – I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t love this wine. I mean, fizzy red, even the words ‘fizzy red’ make you happy. De Moor (if I’m allowed some). Gabriela Manzanilla to wash done the canapés. And finally, Cream Sherry, slightly old fashioned, but a Cañadas Christmas classic nonetheless!

Friends of Josh know him to be (ahem) abstemious by nature, however, at Christmas one is wont to let one’s hair down a touch. With that in mind he’d propose the following “modest” list of festive tipples: Bera Bianchdudui – This has nothing to do with Christmas, I just love the stuff. Coffinet Chassagne Montrachet – Probably have this one with breakfast. Monteillet Cote Rotie Cuv Fortis – Fillet of beef and this sounds an appetising proposition, doesn’t it? A Mag of Foillard Cote du Py – Not my choice, this is just a festive legal requirement.

We are loving Bryanna’s style. Keep it simple, but keep it sumptuous! Two bottles. One from Oregonian iconoclast, Kelley Fox – Pinot of cause, preferably the recently landed Royal Ann (2018). The other, Jurassic Chardonnay from the estimable Jean-Francoise Ganevat, namely the Cuvee Florine.

Will is keeping things fairly classic this year. Something with bottle-age and a bit of ‘oomph’. We’re told a bottle of Cavas de Weinert 2007 will do nicely! Old-school red from one of Mendoza’s classic bodegas, that blends Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot from vines up to 110-years-old.  This should provide some well-evolved, robust accompaniment to all manner of Christmas fare!

For Gideon it’s a magnificent, magnanimous magnum – 150cl format only, please! -  of Foillard Morgon Cote du Py! And Thierry tells us he’s got a bottle of the Faugères Tradition 2017 lined up, a superb vintage.  A slightly wild, gamey, garrigue driven red-blend from organic Languedoc-Roussillon growers, Clos Fantine.

It’s a time to be indulgent, and so Doug offers up the Marie-Courtin Indulgence.  The colour of Sant’s clobber. Biodynamic Rosé Champagne, just the ticket! He’ll also be making some room for natty Burgundy, courtesy of Renaud Boyer.

Dario’s bubble provisions are along similar lines, with the Champagne Resonance, also from Marie-Courtin. His other festive tipples have a decidedly Italian flavour – we can’t say we’re all too surprised – the 2006 Barbera from La Stoppa is top of the pile and one of Mr Poddana’s picks of the year.

However you’re spending this singularly unprecedented festive season, we hope you have a bottle (or two!) of something nice to open.

Find out more about the wines mentioned below:

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