What to drink: Best wines to gift
A good bottle of wine is a simple and stylish Christmas gift - from elegant Champagne to a smooth sherry here's what are our wine experts suggest you put under the tree.
THE EXPERT: Matthieu Aravantinos at The Grape Variety, Chipstead and Walton-on-the-Hill
Rioja Gran Reserva “22 Barricas”, Bodegas Montecillo
One of Rioja’s best Gran Reservas and limited to just over 6,000 bottles, this is classic Rioja blend has spent 32 months in new French oak, followed by a minimum of 4 years ageing in bottle, the resulting wine is robust and deliciously smooth with a very long finish. Perfecto.
£36.99
Colheita 1999, Feuerheerd’s
Colheita is port derived from a single harvest and aged in oak casks for a minimum of seven years which produces a rich mellowness and elegance of flavour that pairs perfectly with Christmas cake or rich deserts. Ideal at Christmas.
£34.99
Champagne Séléction Brut NV, Gruet
You can’t go wrong with Champagne — it makes a great gift for almost any occasion especially Chrimbo. This Champagne is full of fruits, yummy and round.
£28.99
•••
THE EXPERT: Nik Darlington at Pip of Manor Farm, Seale
Sandeman 10-Year-Old Tawny Port
Our favourite Port house is Sandeman and their 10-year-old Tawny offers superb value for the flavour and craftsmanship; it is unbeatable with a festive cheese board and freshly cracked walnuts.
£29
Damien Pinon Vouvray Demi-Sec “Les Perruches” 2016
Damien makes exquisite Vouvray of all sorts, dry, off-dry and sparkling, and this single-vineyard off-dry example is one of Decanter magazine’s top wines to drink this Christmas – so we think that makes it perfect for gifting – something to enjoy over mince pies, or with the lighter cheeses including blue cheese.
£26
Kewin Descombes Morgon 2018
A jolly good Cru Beaujolais is just about the perfect red wine for Christmas Day as it can cope with all the flavours thrown at it – so it’s the perfect gift fo your host. Kewin Descombes comes from great winemaking stock and his Morgon is typical of the cru, which delivers the most robust and structured expression of Beaujolais.
£29
•••
THE EXPERT: Rupert Pritchett at Taurus Wines, Bramley
Bolney Estate Foxhole Vineyard Brut Reserve NV
Fizz is festive and always makes for a great gift. The Bolney Estate first planted vines in 1972 in a sheltered south-facing spot on the South Downs and their sparkling wine is made in the same way as traditional Champagne.
£29.99
Graham’s 20 Year Old Tawny Port
Another festive fave -port is a much loved little indulgence especially at Christmas, combine it with cheese or Stilton or chocolates for the best gift for him.
£39.99
Fernando de Castilla Antique Pedro Ximenez
Don’t go thinking sherry is the sole preserve of the older generations – it’s made a comeback in recent years. And this seductive and richly textured sweet sherry is a sure winner, pairing well with chocolate or vanilla. It’s won ‘Best Sweet Fortified’ at the 2019 Wines of Spain Awards.
£34.99
You might also like…
🍷 Best red for chilly nights
🍷 Nine best sparkling wines
🍷 Nine English wines to taste
1Things to do
2Things to do
4Things to do
