Tesco, €16
Chablis belongs on the Christmas table. A fine chardonnay, it allows the festive flavours of the turkey to shine. Unoaked and delicate, this wine from the Tesco Finest range immediately draws you in on the nose with fresh notes of apple and a hint of honey. That crisp and clean flavour continues in the mouth but lemon and citrus notes add to the intensity. The distinctive Chablis minerality shines through with flint notes on the finish. Because the large retailers can buy in bulk, they’ve tapped into a clever market of producing a classic wine at an affordable price. This makes it a good bottle to serve at Christmas dinner – especially if you have a large party and need to buy a few bottles.
Tyrrell’s Hunter Valley Semillon
Simply Better at Dunnes Stores, €15.99
The French love a good oyster on Christmas Eve and more Irish people are now embracing this tradition; opting for some Irish oysters to get the party started. This Tyrrell’s Hunter Valley Semillon, which is new to the Simply Better range, is the perfect accompaniment to that or any seafood starter you plan to serve. Semillon will also be a good pair with your roast turkey. Lemon and lime notes with a touch of grapefruit and floral elements draw you in. And once you take a sip, that wonderful acidity washes over your mouth with lots of green apple and citrus notes. Fine minerality leads to a good finish.
Whitehaven Greg
Sauvignon Blanc
O’Briens Wines, €20.45, on offer at €16.95
I always like to showcase a good New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc this time of year because people love this variety and, often, are willing to stretch their budget for it. That said, you don’t have to stretch too far for this excellent wine, as it’s on special offer during December. From a single vineyard in the Awetere Valley of the Marlborough terroir, this cooler climate has gravel and sandstone soils. What does this mean in the glass? A Sauvignon with that wonderful herbaceous character that complements citrus and exotic fruit flavours of melon, gooseberry and grapefruit. This is a complex wine that will more than merit you spending a few extra euros. Another wine that will work wonderfully with seafood.
Tesco, €15
This wine is quite the taste explosion, much like the volcanic influences in the Chilean soil where it is produced. These volcanic notes aren’t just part of some marketing jargon – smoke and tobacco notes contribute to a full-bodied, powerful wine. Complex dark red fruit – especially cherries – lead the way in the taste profile and are elevated by hints of vanilla and chocolate, with spice in the background. The aforementioned smoky notes sit beside structured tannins which lead to a smooth finish. Light the fire and get comfortable because this wine is going to work great with a charcuterie board. Pile it high with flavoursome meats and aged cheeses, like a powerful mature cheddar or a blue.
SuperValu, Tesco and
selected Dunnes Stores, €16
When you’re looking for a good bottle of Malbec, keep on eye out for two words on the label: high altitude. That’s because those steep mountains have hot days and cool nights, which slows down the ripening of the grapes, so you get natural acidity, freshness and excellent aromatics in your Malbec. This Uco Valley wine has dark fruit flavours of blackberry and plum at the forefront, which is elevated with oak, vanilla and a lovely, spicy finish; characteristic of a good Malbec. It has a smooth consistency and firm tannins which will pair beautifully with a good steak dinner. This is one to enjoy on those lovely lazy days between Christmas and the new year.
Higgins Clonskeagh, Wine Online Dublin, The Wine Centre Kilkenny & O’Briens Wines €49.60
This is our blow the budget red, but it’s worth it as Cloudy Bay is one of New Zealand’s noteworthy vineyards and this Pinot Noir is Christmas in a glass. Strawberry and raspberry flavours are layered with darker fruits – such as black cherries – complemented with vanilla and subtle spices. What makes it really distinctive is the silky smooth tannins and juicy acidity. Just sit with that long, lingering finish to really appreciate it. Pinot Noir works really well with Christmas dinner. As a red, it’s light enough that it won’t overpower the moist turkey but as it has good complexity and is well structured, it can also sit beside the bigger flavours of herbaceous stuffings and fruity sauces.
Specially Selected Crémant du Jura
Aldi, €14.99
Arguably, this bottle is the bargain of the season. As a rule, Crémant often offers good value for money. That’s because it’s made the same way as champagne, but as the grapes are sourced outside of the champagne region, it cannot carry the prestigious name (and, therefore, does not come with the high price tag). This wine comes from one of the major crémant areas – Jura – and displays many of its fine characteristics. Refreshing green apple and citrus fruits are softened by lovely pops of peach. The cellar ageing contributes to notes of brioche with a subtle nutty tone. Elegant with a good degree of complexity for its price tag, this is the wine to welcome guests to your Christmas celebration.
Avoca, €49.95
For something a little different, we’re off to our British neighbours. Although you may not be too familiar with wines from the UK, this bottle demonstrates how we need to give the area more attention. Made with the grapes used to make champagne-chardonnay (pinot noir and pinot meunier), the crisp freshness is noteworthy, with Granny Smith apples, lemon zest and grapefruit. This is softened by toasty notes and a subtle cream leading to a long, satisfying finish – quite the elegant wine. Interestingly, the award-winning winemaker, Dermot Sugrue, is a Limerick man and works with the family on the Wiston Estate in the South Downs area of England, where sustainability is at the forefront on this 16-acre vineyard.
Veuve Clicquot
Yellow Label
O’Briens Wines, Molloys and The Corkscrew, €64.45
Some big brand names are worth the hype and price tag, and Veuve Clicquot is one of them. Veuve Clicquot herself helped lead the champagne movement back in the 1800s and, consequently, this is a brand brimming with history and expertise. It is the delicate bead [the trail of bubbles that rises from the bottom of the glass] that really makes this a champagne that pops with fruit flavours of apple, pear and a touch of nectarine. Those signature toasty brioche notes also have a touch of vanilla and the acidity is balanced with a delicious creaminess. This isn’t the wine to splosh at a busy New Year’s party. No, this is one to enjoy at a more intimate celebration where you can relax and really appreciate its fine flavours.
Read more
Entertaining at Home: wines that soak in the Spanish sun
Neven Entertaining at Home: Pinot Noir and Duck a classic combination
Tesco, €16
Chablis belongs on the Christmas table. A fine chardonnay, it allows the festive flavours of the turkey to shine. Unoaked and delicate, this wine from the Tesco Finest range immediately draws you in on the nose with fresh notes of apple and a hint of honey. That crisp and clean flavour continues in the mouth but lemon and citrus notes add to the intensity. The distinctive Chablis minerality shines through with flint notes on the finish. Because the large retailers can buy in bulk, they’ve tapped into a clever market of producing a classic wine at an affordable price. This makes it a good bottle to serve at Christmas dinner – especially if you have a large party and need to buy a few bottles.
Tyrrell’s Hunter Valley Semillon
Simply Better at Dunnes Stores, €15.99
The French love a good oyster on Christmas Eve and more Irish people are now embracing this tradition; opting for some Irish oysters to get the party started. This Tyrrell’s Hunter Valley Semillon, which is new to the Simply Better range, is the perfect accompaniment to that or any seafood starter you plan to serve. Semillon will also be a good pair with your roast turkey. Lemon and lime notes with a touch of grapefruit and floral elements draw you in. And once you take a sip, that wonderful acidity washes over your mouth with lots of green apple and citrus notes. Fine minerality leads to a good finish.
Whitehaven Greg
Sauvignon Blanc
O’Briens Wines, €20.45, on offer at €16.95
I always like to showcase a good New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc this time of year because people love this variety and, often, are willing to stretch their budget for it. That said, you don’t have to stretch too far for this excellent wine, as it’s on special offer during December. From a single vineyard in the Awetere Valley of the Marlborough terroir, this cooler climate has gravel and sandstone soils. What does this mean in the glass? A Sauvignon with that wonderful herbaceous character that complements citrus and exotic fruit flavours of melon, gooseberry and grapefruit. This is a complex wine that will more than merit you spending a few extra euros. Another wine that will work wonderfully with seafood.
Tesco, €15
This wine is quite the taste explosion, much like the volcanic influences in the Chilean soil where it is produced. These volcanic notes aren’t just part of some marketing jargon – smoke and tobacco notes contribute to a full-bodied, powerful wine. Complex dark red fruit – especially cherries – lead the way in the taste profile and are elevated by hints of vanilla and chocolate, with spice in the background. The aforementioned smoky notes sit beside structured tannins which lead to a smooth finish. Light the fire and get comfortable because this wine is going to work great with a charcuterie board. Pile it high with flavoursome meats and aged cheeses, like a powerful mature cheddar or a blue.
SuperValu, Tesco and
selected Dunnes Stores, €16
When you’re looking for a good bottle of Malbec, keep on eye out for two words on the label: high altitude. That’s because those steep mountains have hot days and cool nights, which slows down the ripening of the grapes, so you get natural acidity, freshness and excellent aromatics in your Malbec. This Uco Valley wine has dark fruit flavours of blackberry and plum at the forefront, which is elevated with oak, vanilla and a lovely, spicy finish; characteristic of a good Malbec. It has a smooth consistency and firm tannins which will pair beautifully with a good steak dinner. This is one to enjoy on those lovely lazy days between Christmas and the new year.
Higgins Clonskeagh, Wine Online Dublin, The Wine Centre Kilkenny & O’Briens Wines €49.60
This is our blow the budget red, but it’s worth it as Cloudy Bay is one of New Zealand’s noteworthy vineyards and this Pinot Noir is Christmas in a glass. Strawberry and raspberry flavours are layered with darker fruits – such as black cherries – complemented with vanilla and subtle spices. What makes it really distinctive is the silky smooth tannins and juicy acidity. Just sit with that long, lingering finish to really appreciate it. Pinot Noir works really well with Christmas dinner. As a red, it’s light enough that it won’t overpower the moist turkey but as it has good complexity and is well structured, it can also sit beside the bigger flavours of herbaceous stuffings and fruity sauces.
Specially Selected Crémant du Jura
Aldi, €14.99
Arguably, this bottle is the bargain of the season. As a rule, Crémant often offers good value for money. That’s because it’s made the same way as champagne, but as the grapes are sourced outside of the champagne region, it cannot carry the prestigious name (and, therefore, does not come with the high price tag). This wine comes from one of the major crémant areas – Jura – and displays many of its fine characteristics. Refreshing green apple and citrus fruits are softened by lovely pops of peach. The cellar ageing contributes to notes of brioche with a subtle nutty tone. Elegant with a good degree of complexity for its price tag, this is the wine to welcome guests to your Christmas celebration.
Avoca, €49.95
For something a little different, we’re off to our British neighbours. Although you may not be too familiar with wines from the UK, this bottle demonstrates how we need to give the area more attention. Made with the grapes used to make champagne-chardonnay (pinot noir and pinot meunier), the crisp freshness is noteworthy, with Granny Smith apples, lemon zest and grapefruit. This is softened by toasty notes and a subtle cream leading to a long, satisfying finish – quite the elegant wine. Interestingly, the award-winning winemaker, Dermot Sugrue, is a Limerick man and works with the family on the Wiston Estate in the South Downs area of England, where sustainability is at the forefront on this 16-acre vineyard.
Veuve Clicquot
Yellow Label
O’Briens Wines, Molloys and The Corkscrew, €64.45
Some big brand names are worth the hype and price tag, and Veuve Clicquot is one of them. Veuve Clicquot herself helped lead the champagne movement back in the 1800s and, consequently, this is a brand brimming with history and expertise. It is the delicate bead [the trail of bubbles that rises from the bottom of the glass] that really makes this a champagne that pops with fruit flavours of apple, pear and a touch of nectarine. Those signature toasty brioche notes also have a touch of vanilla and the acidity is balanced with a delicious creaminess. This isn’t the wine to splosh at a busy New Year’s party. No, this is one to enjoy at a more intimate celebration where you can relax and really appreciate its fine flavours.
Read more
Entertaining at Home: wines that soak in the Spanish sun
Neven Entertaining at Home: Pinot Noir and Duck a classic combination
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