Once you get past the hype, stress, and hassle associated with Christmas, there is in fact a lot to love about the party season – and discovering your new favourite wine is one of them. Finding the right bottle, however, be it for dinner on the big day, a New Year’s Eve party, or as a gift, can be tricky.
Thankfully, we’ve handpicked a selection of beautiful wines, suitable for all occasions and palettes. From bold, blockbusting reds designed to make your beef roast sing, to sweet and silky dessert wines to pair with your perfect pudding, we’ve got you covered.
Finca Lalande Organic Malbec 2022
You can’t beat a good Malbec and this crowd pleaser from Finca Lalande offers up far more than its modest price tag suggests. Rich and medium-bodied, this 100% organic Argentinian wine boasts intense aromas of figs and dark fruit, making it the perfect partner for red meat and pasta dishes.
Due to its extremely quaffability, we recommend stocking up with a few bottles of this one. Pick it up on offer for just £7.99 a bottle from Waitrose.
Matsu El Picaro
Originating from the Toro region of Spain, this Tempranillo grape-based red is smooth and seductive, whilst packing a punch with its 14.5% abv. With notes of licorice, sweet spice and blackberry, it has plenty to offer your tastebuds and its eye-catching label makes it great to give as a gift. Pick up a bottle for just £9.50 from Morrisons.
Little Giant Barossa Shiraz
If you love your reds to be full-bodied and inky black, then this little ripper from Australia is for you. Defined by its black fruits, dark chocolate and peppery spices, this bestselling Shiraz is best served with a bloody as hell steak. Available for £12.99 from Waitrose.
Lubanzi Chenin Blanc, Swartland 2022
South Africa produces some impressive and unusual wines, and this dry Chenin Blanc from Lubanzi is no exception.Light and minerally with a flavour profile that includes apple and stone fruit, this versatile white tastes just as good with a cheese board as it does with a plate of seafood linguine. Grab a bottle from The Wine Society for £10.50.
Sea Change Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Bored of the same old New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc? Eco-friendly wine brand Sea Change put as much passion into their wine portfolio as they do the environment, and their refined and expressive Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is testament to that. Balancing a medley of flavours ranging from green fruit to tropical passionfruit with a hint of richness and a clean mineral finish, it elevates New Zealand’s most popular grape to new levels.
Ideal with with lobster or king prawns, you can pick up a bottle of Sea Change Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc here for £19.49 a bottle, or £17.49 if you purchase six.
Mar de Frades Albariño Atlántico 2021
You can’t always judge a wine by its label, but Mar de Frades Albariño Atlántico tastes just as good as its ocean blue bottle looks. Boasting an intoxicating blend of peach blossom, lemon zest and sea salt, this Spanish white from the Rias Baixas region is a breath of fresh air. Best enjoyed with some high-grade sashimi. Pick it up for £26 from Harvey Nichols.
Champagne Bruno Paillard Première Cuvée MV XB
Champagne is everywhere these days, but Bruno Paillard Première Cuvée is a rare find indeed. Founded in 1981, this independent family-run Champagne house has blended Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier to create this complex yet elegant wine. Rich, buttery and with hints of melon and green apple, it’s the perfect weapon to pull out over the festive season. Pick it up for £46.90 from Wanderlust Wine.
De Saint-Gall Premier Cru Rose
With its hypnotic coral hue and fine bubbles, this blush pink Champagne from De Saint-Gall makes for a wonderful tipple to toast an occasion. Made using Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, notes of brioche, cherry and wild strawberries are all present and correct. Available as part of M&S Collection for just £30 a bottle.
English Pink Premium Rose
Whilst rose tends to be more of a summer wine, English Pink Premium Rose pairs excellently with turkey and cranberry sauce. Originating from vineyards in the South of England, this pale pink Provence-style wine is surprisingly refreshing with notes of strawberry. Available from English Pink for £22.95.
The Ned Noble, Marlborough
Balanced yet sweet thanks to the high acidity of the Sauvignon Blanc, this beautiful dessert wine offers notes of dried orange peel, gooseberries, ginger and lychee. Best served chilled with Christmas pavlova, Ned Noble is a fantastic wine to end a memorable meal.
Available at Majestic Wine for £14.99.
Château de Diusse, Plaimont Producteurs, Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh
Made using Petit Manseng and Gros Manseng grapes affected by noble rot, this wonderfully sweet dessert wine is a real treat. Aged in French oak barrels, flavours of candied lemon and orange peel, honey and walnuts ensure this will go down with your favourite blue cheese. Available at House of Townend for £10.49.
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