Peeling, basting, glazing, deglazing… Christmas dinner is a lot of effort but my favourite meal of the year, so I make sure I do it justice. Here are my insider tips so you can do the same.
Smoked salmon – Chablis Premier Cru £15.99
Chablis is made from chardonnay and is famously fresh and dry, with flinty notes known in France as ‘goût de pierre à fusil’. The Premier Cru is aromatic with white peach and citrus, and honeyed tones that work well with the soft sweetness of salmon.
Turkey – Louis Latour White Burgundy £10.99 or Wither Hills Marlborough Pinot Noir SAVE 25% NOW £9.74
I’ve got a white and a red option for you here. The first, a white burgundy, is full of bright citrus fruit flavours with a smooth finish. Serve it slightly chilled. The second is a soft and juicy pinot noir that’s full of flavour without being overpowering.
Beef – Baron de Ley Gran Reserva Rioja NOW £15.99 Was £19.99
Aged for 24 months in oak casks then a further 36 months in the bottle, this rioja is seriously smooth and intensely flavoursome – packed with notes of vanilla, raisin and even smoke. On the palate you’ll notice spices and wild herbs. All-in-all, it’s just perfect with roast beef.
Goose – Bouchard Aîné & Fils Red Burgundy SAVE 25% NOW £7.49
The wine I’ve chosen is crisp and fruity enough to cut through the richness of the meat, but mellow enough to complement rather than drown out its flavour. Red burgundy works really well with roast duck and game for the same reasons.
Pudding and cheese – Château Liot Sauternes 2008 £12.49
This is a classic dessert wine, rich with honey. A wonderful way to end your meal, it’s a superb match for everything from fruity Christmas pudding to sharp, tangy Stilton.
The pièce de résistance – Bollinger Rosé Champagne £45.99
OK it’s a bit of a splurge, but you can save on very good but lower priced proseccos for Christmas Eve etc., leaving room in your budget for a great bottle on the day itself.
It’s the latest addition to the Bollinger family, and I can describe it no better than wine critic Matthew Jukes,
“One of the world’s finest rosé champagnes, this is rich and distinguished enough to go with a main course. Made with the addition of the best Grand Cru red wines from Ay and Verzenay, it is an intense, cherry-scented wine.”
So, there you have it – my favourite wines for Christmas. Whatever you choose, I wish you all very happy holidays.
Cheers!
Freyja
Wine Buyer
