The 12 Wines of Christmas

The festive season is a time to spend time with your friends and loved ones, be nostalgic and embrace your own family traditions. Whether it is decorating the tree together or watching your favourite festive film, there is a wine for every occasion. We have picked out a few traditions that are popular amongst many families across the country and selected one of our favourite wines to go with each. Hope you enjoy each one, and we wish you a Merry Christmas.

DECORATING THE CHRISTMAS TREE One tradition that resonates with all families is decorating the Christmas tree in early December - it's a time to make your house sparkle and what better combination than enjoying a glass of something sparkling whilst you adorn the Fir. Prosecco is now recognised as one of the best ways to celebrate an occasion. The Extra Dry 'Fili' from Sacchetto is a delicious, refreshing option – and with its festive looking bottle it would be difficult not to hang it on the tree in place of a bauble.

WRAPPING PRESENTS If you’re dreaming of a flurry of snow it’s probably about time for a Fleurie. Whether you’re wrapping one present for a significant other, or 20 presents for the entire family, it can be quite an arduous task so it calls for a wine to that is made up of equal parts wintry spice and Christmassy warmth. Olivier Ravier's Fleurie from Beaujolais is produced from vines over 40 years old giving an aromatic finesse to this wine, with deep red fruits and a rich, silky texture. It certainly makes a welcome distraction from getting stuck on the sticky tape.

MAKING MINCE PIES The pastry is rolled, the mincemeat is being prepared and the house is alive with the sound of carols. What could complete this Christmas scene? Other than joining in with the carol singing… a small glass of something sweet. Vibrant orange in colour, ‘Essensia’ Orange Muscat, from Quady Winery in California delivers luscious sweet oranges, zesty acidity and enticing apricot flavours; the perfect partner for a warm mince pie by the fireside.

CHRISTMAS EVE It was the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse (or the children!). Your work for the evening is complete; the presents are under the tree, the turkey is prepared, the port decanted – time to sit back and relax with something clean, crisp and refreshing. Come summer or winter, Gérard Bertrand's Picpoul de Pinet with its zesty and fruity flavours always delivers that satisfying sensation of relaxation in a glass of wine. Enjoy.

 

CHRISTMAS DAY BREAKFAST Santa has been - it is time to celebrate! And nothing says festive celebrations like a glass or two of Champagne alongside an equally decadent breakfast. Whether you are enjoying smoked salmon on your scrambled eggs or a quintessential crispy bacon sandwich, it is bound be the perfect partner for a bottle of Moët et Chandon Imperial NV, with its energising effervescence, as you prepare for the excitement of the day ahead.

WITH THE TURKEY Christmas Day lunch is a time to treat yourself and your family, pull out all the stops and serve the good stuff. When it comes to a premium bottle to serve with the turkey, you shouldn’t have to look further than Burgundy. The French home of Pinot Noir is the perfect accompaniment to turkey with all the trimmings, and not many make it better than Pierre Naigeon, who’s Vieilles Vignes is a charming and charismatic example of the region.

WITH THE CHRISTMAS PUDDING You tell yourself you don’t have any room for more… then the Christmas pudding is served. Brandy flamed, enticing you with its aromas. Nobody can say no. And whilst you help yourself to the brandy butter, you couldn’t possibly say no to a glass of Sauternes? Château Suduiraut has been producing this sweet wine since the 1600s and the result is elegantly spiced, with attractive flavours of candied fruits – the perfect pairing for that Christmas pudding.

WATCHING THE QUEEN'S SPEECH The feast is complete, and it is now time to settle down on the sofa and wait to hear Her Majesty’s annual message to the nation. Uplifting and symbolic, the speech is sure to fill you with hope for the year ahead. To accompany this festive tradition, it is time to revert back to a fresh and soft fruit style – and nothing does this job better than a Sancerre in France’s Loire Valley, where Domaine de la Rossignole is situated.

WATCHING YOUR FAVOURITE FESTIVE FILM Love Actually. Miracle on 34th Street. Die Hard? Late afternoon on Christmas Day should always involve a traditionally festive film (or a nap), so it is time to relax with a glass of something soft and easy drinking. Rosé is not just a summery drink, the pale powder pink hue of a glass of Provencal Rosé can put a spring in your step any time of year and the team at Château de l'Aumérade have made a wine perfectly suited to the occasion.

CHRISTMAS DAY NIGHT You have indulged and you have napped. It’s nearly time to call time on the festivities for another year, but it there is just enough time for a nightcap once most of the family has gone to bed. With a brown-tawny colour, Barros 10 Year Old Tawny Port will fill you with beautiful aromas of dried fruit, followed by a softy, silky texture – ideal if you can’t resist a bit of cheese to complete the day.

BOXING DAY It is time to blow the cobwebs out with a long walk, relax and look fondly back at the previous day’s activities. Supper will no doubt comprise of leftover turkey and a few of the trimmings, so you need a wine to pair with it that has enough finesse to handle the flavours. Michele Chiarlo’s Gavi di Gavi will give you enough fresh fruit and floral flavours to set you up for the rest of the day.

FAMILY GAME TIME The house is warm and cosy, and it is time for some games to draw Boxing Day to a close. Whether the afternoon’s fun comprises of a game of Monopoly or a challenging bout of charades, a glass of New World Pinot Noir from South Africa’s Ernst & Gouws with tantalising flavours of clove, cinnamon and spice is guaranteed to keep those festive spirits going for a good while longer – or until you lose a game or two...