Due to its deliciously light and dainty house style (and, admittedly, its historic association with Formula 1) Mumm has always been my favourite Champagne house. I snapped up a case from online retailer Ocado when it was on offer at £30 a bottle a couple of years ago, but for a wine of this quality I'd happily pay half as much again. Served at cellar temperature with a breakfast of bacon, brie and cranberry baguettes, it was a stunning wine to kick off the Christmas Day festivities. Notes of peach, honey and hazelnut dance merrily on the palate, with a toasty undertone and clean, crisp finish. Marvellous stuff!
Available at: Ocado, £40
It seems a bit clichéd to drink oaked Chardonnay with Christmas dinner, but I'm yet to find an alternative that's consistently as delicious. I've done the St-Aubins and Pernand-Vergelesses of this world, so I thought I'd opt for something a touch different this year, with a stunning Chardonnay from Argentina's finest, the Catena family. Now run by fourth-generation winemaker Laura Catena, the Estate's wines - most notably their Malbec - remain at the forefront of Argentine viticulture. Made from a blend of two of Catena's high altitude vineyards, the 2015 Chardonnay is a vanilla-laden, butterscotch-y delight - yet with an undercurrent of acidity to keep everything in balance. Does it have the complexity of some of Burgundy's finest? Not quite, but then at £25 a bottle, it doesn't have the price tag either!
Available at: Majestic Wine, £25
Chateau La Tour Blanche 2010, Sauternes
I'm a bit of a fiend for a good sticky wine, and - like with most wine styles - I find that France does it best. With the 21st century obsession towards clean eating and healthy lifestyles, sugar-laden dessert wines like Sauternes have fallen out of favour. Whilst not great news for the chateaux, this is nevertheless very welcome to wine lovers, who can seek out great examples for much less than what they should command. La Tour Blanche is always a very consistent performer in Bordeaux, and thoroughly deserving of its 1st growth status, sitting just below Yquem. This was certainly reflected in the quality of the wine - notes of key lime pie, pineapple and honey washed over the palate in waves of flavour. With fresh but not bracing acidity, La Tour Blanche '10 is a wine that would taste supremely good in a decade or two's time. But do I regret drinking it in its infancy? Not a chance!
Available at: various, £20/37.5cl
Is it really Christmastime if you've not cracked open a bottle of Port? I always like to have a bottle of this British-inspired Portuguese classic on hand to offer guests throughout December - its rich, warming, spicy sweetness seemingly warming the whole house on cold winter nights. What's more, Port won't break the bank - very good older vintages can be had for much less than you'd think, but even more wallet-friendly styles like this LBV from Taylor's are superb to share among your friends and family. I'm always taken with Taylor's range as I find their Ports to be a little less sweet than most, which I find highlights the rich, concentrated black fruit and savoury spice notes that much better. The 2009 LBV was enjoyed alongside a range of foods, including but not limited to pannetone, blue cheese and crackers, Christmas pud and tub after tub of Cadbury's Heroes. I'd highly recommend it with all.
Available at: various, £15
Hi Tom
ReplyDeleteNice Christmas selection, we went with Fizz to start, Burgundy white/Red, CdP and a Jackson Estate Sovee finishing with some Pedro Jimenez Sherry.
I must admit to enjoying Chardonnay atm, not tried the Catena yet though, which sounds lovely.
Have a good 2018
Salud, Dave
Hi Dave,
DeleteThanks for your comments. Sounds like a good line-up - Xmas is just about the only time I can justify a glass of sticky PX! I like the Jackson SB too- their barrel-fermented 'Grey Ghost' is well worth a try too.
Best,
Tom