Quite simply, wine is there to be enjoyed whatever the weather. A nice glass of white on a sunny day, a glass of bubbly at a wedding, or a warming glass of red beside a winter fire. However, at Christmas time, even the shy wine drinkers look forward to a little tipple. So we hit the wine shelves in both the supermarkets and the off-licenses with wine expert and connoisseur Jean Smullen, who certainly knows her Chardonnays from her Chablis.
White wines
1. 2013 Domaine Bois De Roche Loupiac €12.99Stockists – Lidl
This Loupiac is part of Lidl’s Christmas range. It’s really good value as the wines from this area are made from the same grapes, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. You’ll get quite a ripe taste and tones of sweet, peachy flavours. So take the French approach, and enjoy it with pate, foie gras or even salted almonds.
2. 2013 Saint Clair Vicar’s Choice Sauvignon Blanc €15.99 Stockists – O’Brien’s, Molloy’s, Next Door Off-Licences, and independent off-licences
When it comes to Sauvignon Blanc, many people automatically reach for the Chilean wines. However, the New Zealand Sauvignon is really worth the extra few euros for its exuberance and fresh, zesty style. It goes perfectly with fish, so will suit anyone serving a smoked salmon or prawn cocktails as starters on Christmas Day. This wine comes from a family-run estate in the Marlborough region of New Zealand.
3. 2012 Pierre Ponelle Chablis 1er Cru €26.00Stockist: Dunnes Stores
Looking to spend that extra bit more for something stunning? The Pierre Ponelle Chablis 1er Cru is a really elegant wine from a classic French wine region. And because it’s the Premier Cru, it means the grapes are grown on the best vineyard sites. This crisp Chardonnay has an interesting mineral quality, with a green apple flavour. This all sounds very fancy, but what does it mean? It goes well with turkey.
Red wines
4. Toscana Rosso €6.99Stockist: Aldi
If you’re having a good few people over for a party you don’t necessarily need to spend a fortune. At €6.99, this Toscana Rosso from Aldi will certainly tick the boxes of many red wine drinkers. Hailing from the famous wine-producing region of Tuscany, this is a really full-bodied red wine. It has an intense, red colour, with an aroma reminiscent of ripe red berries, meaning it’s great for the festive season. Smooth and warm on the palate, it goes great with pasta and meat dishes, or will also go down a hit with a cheese plate.
5. 2009 Chateau Goudray Cote du Rhone Villages Seguret €10Stockist: SuperValu
If you’re looking to spend a little bit more, but are still looking for a powerful wine, then this is the red for you. You’ll taste the Grenache and Syrah flavours, it has a peppery bite and also gives a lovely Christmas spice and warmth in the finish. With soft fruit and tannins, it’s easy to drink and will work with everything from a pizza to a good steak.
6. 2011 La Sogara Amarone della Valpolicela €18.99Stockist: Aldi
Another big, spicy wine, this La Sogara is from northeast Italy, specifically the Valpolicella region. Amarone is a wine made by partially drying the grapes to produce a stronger, much more concentrated wine. Although this is made in both dry and sweet versions, the Amarone is the dry version. So it will work well if you are serving any sort of game at Christmas and will really knock the socks off your guests if served with a venison stew.
Sparkling wines
7. Black Tower White Bubbly €11.99 Stockists: Dunnes, Spar, Tesco
Black Tower is so retro, yet so back on trend. One of Germany’s best-know and best-loved wine brands, it has just launched a new sparkling wine. Made from a blend of four different, very aromatic, grapes, including Macabeo, Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc, there are lots of ripe pineapple and tropical fruit flavours mixed with the bubbles. With naturally low alcohol (9.5% abv), you’ll be in with the cool gang serving this at your Christmas parties.
8. La Rosca Cava Brut €14.99Stockists: O’Briens Wines, Beers, Spirits
The Spanish sparkling wine industry came into its own in 1970, when they created a regional wine called Cava (meaning cellar in Spanish). Within 10 years, Cava had become the second most bottle fermented sparkling wine title in the world. Most Cava is produced in Catalonia and the La Rosca is a fine example. With lovely yeasty flavours and ripe fruit, it’s perfect for clinking glasses and celebrating.
9. Tesco Finest Premier Cru Champagne €32.00Stockist: Tesco
This award-winning own-label champagne from Tesco punches way above its weight relative to its price. A classic blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the grapes are grown in Premier and Grand Cru vineyards. A classy champagne with toasty aromas and fresh, crisp citrus and apple flavours, it’s worth pushing out the boat, and the budget, for to really celebrate the season in style.
Quite simply, wine is there to be enjoyed whatever the weather. A nice glass of white on a sunny day, a glass of bubbly at a wedding, or a warming glass of red beside a winter fire. However, at Christmas time, even the shy wine drinkers look forward to a little tipple. So we hit the wine shelves in both the supermarkets and the off-licenses with wine expert and connoisseur Jean Smullen, who certainly knows her Chardonnays from her Chablis.
White wines
1. 2013 Domaine Bois De Roche Loupiac €12.99Stockists – Lidl
This Loupiac is part of Lidl’s Christmas range. It’s really good value as the wines from this area are made from the same grapes, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. You’ll get quite a ripe taste and tones of sweet, peachy flavours. So take the French approach, and enjoy it with pate, foie gras or even salted almonds.
2. 2013 Saint Clair Vicar’s Choice Sauvignon Blanc €15.99 Stockists – O’Brien’s, Molloy’s, Next Door Off-Licences, and independent off-licences
When it comes to Sauvignon Blanc, many people automatically reach for the Chilean wines. However, the New Zealand Sauvignon is really worth the extra few euros for its exuberance and fresh, zesty style. It goes perfectly with fish, so will suit anyone serving a smoked salmon or prawn cocktails as starters on Christmas Day. This wine comes from a family-run estate in the Marlborough region of New Zealand.
3. 2012 Pierre Ponelle Chablis 1er Cru €26.00Stockist: Dunnes Stores
Looking to spend that extra bit more for something stunning? The Pierre Ponelle Chablis 1er Cru is a really elegant wine from a classic French wine region. And because it’s the Premier Cru, it means the grapes are grown on the best vineyard sites. This crisp Chardonnay has an interesting mineral quality, with a green apple flavour. This all sounds very fancy, but what does it mean? It goes well with turkey.
Red wines
4. Toscana Rosso €6.99Stockist: Aldi
If you’re having a good few people over for a party you don’t necessarily need to spend a fortune. At €6.99, this Toscana Rosso from Aldi will certainly tick the boxes of many red wine drinkers. Hailing from the famous wine-producing region of Tuscany, this is a really full-bodied red wine. It has an intense, red colour, with an aroma reminiscent of ripe red berries, meaning it’s great for the festive season. Smooth and warm on the palate, it goes great with pasta and meat dishes, or will also go down a hit with a cheese plate.
5. 2009 Chateau Goudray Cote du Rhone Villages Seguret €10Stockist: SuperValu
If you’re looking to spend a little bit more, but are still looking for a powerful wine, then this is the red for you. You’ll taste the Grenache and Syrah flavours, it has a peppery bite and also gives a lovely Christmas spice and warmth in the finish. With soft fruit and tannins, it’s easy to drink and will work with everything from a pizza to a good steak.
6. 2011 La Sogara Amarone della Valpolicela €18.99Stockist: Aldi
Another big, spicy wine, this La Sogara is from northeast Italy, specifically the Valpolicella region. Amarone is a wine made by partially drying the grapes to produce a stronger, much more concentrated wine. Although this is made in both dry and sweet versions, the Amarone is the dry version. So it will work well if you are serving any sort of game at Christmas and will really knock the socks off your guests if served with a venison stew.
Sparkling wines
7. Black Tower White Bubbly €11.99 Stockists: Dunnes, Spar, Tesco
Black Tower is so retro, yet so back on trend. One of Germany’s best-know and best-loved wine brands, it has just launched a new sparkling wine. Made from a blend of four different, very aromatic, grapes, including Macabeo, Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc, there are lots of ripe pineapple and tropical fruit flavours mixed with the bubbles. With naturally low alcohol (9.5% abv), you’ll be in with the cool gang serving this at your Christmas parties.
8. La Rosca Cava Brut €14.99Stockists: O’Briens Wines, Beers, Spirits
The Spanish sparkling wine industry came into its own in 1970, when they created a regional wine called Cava (meaning cellar in Spanish). Within 10 years, Cava had become the second most bottle fermented sparkling wine title in the world. Most Cava is produced in Catalonia and the La Rosca is a fine example. With lovely yeasty flavours and ripe fruit, it’s perfect for clinking glasses and celebrating.
9. Tesco Finest Premier Cru Champagne €32.00Stockist: Tesco
This award-winning own-label champagne from Tesco punches way above its weight relative to its price. A classic blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the grapes are grown in Premier and Grand Cru vineyards. A classy champagne with toasty aromas and fresh, crisp citrus and apple flavours, it’s worth pushing out the boat, and the budget, for to really celebrate the season in style.
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: