Festive cheers
From English fizz to velvety fortified wines, our drinks editor James Viner has something to suit every palate. Read on to discover his specially curated list of ten exquisite bottles to elevate every festive toast…
If ever there were an excuse to open something special, it’s at Christmas. After a busy autumn of press tastings, I’ve chosen ten standout bottles for gifting, parties, elegant entertaining and celebrating the year’s highlights this upcoming festive season.
Expect brilliant English sparkling wine, classic Champagne, and indulgent sweet and fortified wines – all well-suited to the Christmas table or a year-end toast. All bottles are 75 cl unless otherwise noted. Cheers!
Sparkling Wines
1. Specially Selected Méthode Cap Classique Brut NV South Africa (12%) – Aldi, £9.99
After a top-notch sparkler under £10? Aldi’s South African ‘Méthode Cap Classique’ (traditional, bottle-fermented) earns my vote for the best bargain.
2. 2021 The Society’s Exhibition Cava Gran Reserva Spain (12%) – The Wine Society, £12.50
Celebrate with this complex, wallet-friendly, crowd-pleasing traditional-method Cava from Bodegas Sumarroca, offering biscuity depth, citrus zest, and green-apple freshness. Perfect with tapas.
3. Domaine des Hauts Perrays Crémant de Loire Brut Rosé NV France (12.5%) – Lea & Sandeman, £15.95
A refined, just-stained-pink boutique Crémant de Loire blending Cabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc, and Grolleau for crisp red-fruit tones with hints of melon and apple. Hello shellfish and smoked salmon canapés.
4. 2020 M&S Rockferne English Sparkling Brut W. Sussex (12%) –Marks & Spencer, £28
Crafted by Nick Lane for West Sussex’s Roebuck Estates, this stylish, Chardonnay- and Pinot-led fizz is creamy, complex, and vibrant, with a fine mousse. It lingers endearingly, too. Eggs Benedict, oysters, sashimi or fish and chips, anyone?
5. Ayala Brut Majeur Champagne NV France (12.5%) – Waitrose, £38 (on offer at £28, 3.12.25-1.1.26)
From a revitalised Bollinger-owned house, this sophisticated, seamless multi-cru Champagne blends 55% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir, and 15% Pinot Meunier. A delectable apéritif – and that December/New Year’s £10 discount is magnifique! Bonjour omelettes, oysters, white fish, shellfish and poultry. Aged for 36 months on lees. Classy stuff.
Sweet & Fortified Wines
6. Tesco Finest Fino Sherry NV Spain (15%) – Tesco, £7.50, 37.5 cl
Don’t overlook bone-dry, food-friendly, umami-rich (essentially non-fruity) Fino sherry. This piquant González Byass bottling bursts with yeasty Marmite, sourdough, apple skin, hay, and almonds. Serve chilled with jamón ibérico, Manchego, mince pies, smoked salmon, sushi, and tapas.
7. Morrisons The Best 10-Year-Old Aged Tawny Port NV Portugal (20%) – Morrisons, £14 offer (down from £15.50, until 1.1.26)
From Symington Family Estates, this terrific barrel-aged tawny port delivers roasted nuts, macerated dried fruit, butterscotch, and toffee. It will keep well for weeks (in the cool) once opened. Enjoy slightly chilled with mince pies, Cheddar, Stilton, Comté, crème brûlée, or Christmas cake.
8. 2022 Errázuriz Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc Chile (13%) – Vinvm, Noble Green Wines, Drinks Direct, £9.45-£10.49, 37.5 cl
Lip-smacking, cool-climate Chilean dessert wine, brimming with seductive apricot, honey, papaya and glittering acidity. Heavenly with blue cheese or panna cotta.
9. Zuccardi Malamado Fortified Malbec NV Argentina (18%) – Simply Wines Direct, Hic, N.D. John, Momentum Wines, Vinvm, £16.99-£20.00
Malbec and port lovers will adore this fascinating, sweet, silky, lightly fortified, oak-aged Argentinian gem. Think figs, ripe plums, raisins, spice, toasted almonds, and quince. One for blue cheese, chocolate desserts, and pâtés.
10. Bodegas Hidalgo-La Gitana ‘Triana’ Pedro Ximénez NV Sherry Spain (15%) – Majestic, £17.50 (mix 6)
Nab this viscous, unctuous, raisined, mahogany-black, sweet sherry made from thin-skinned Pedro Ximénez grapes. It’s a luscious bullseye of black treacle, coffee, dates, liquorice, molasses, prunes, raisins, spice and toffee. Drizzle over chocolate/vanilla ice cream, or serve chilled with Christmas pudding or pecan pie. Once opened and stoppered, it keeps beautifully for months in a cool, dark place. ¡Salud!
Follow James on Instagram
@QuixoticWines
