Christmas Selections

The festive season is coming up and we would like to share with you what we will be drinking. Enjoy!

For me, Christmas is all about bubbly! If I were to drink only one Champagne on Christmas Eve, Cristal 2008 is the one. Though I have enjoyed at least half a dozen bottles during the year, this wine’s finesse and crystalline precision continually lure me into wanting more. The vintage follows the usual Cristal formula: 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. Even in its youth, this wine has shown incredible intensity and complexity that is drinking superbly now and will benefit from time in the cellar to reveal its full potential.

End of the year dinners are about sharing, good times and memories with your loved ones,(friends and family). I have selected Domaine Henri Bonneau 2008 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve Des Celestins. This is a special appellation for me as it’s where I started to learn and discover more about wine 14 years ago.
I have always loved Henri Bonneau wines his Celestin cuvee is unique, not made in every vintage and only from his best barrel. The wine displays concentrated black fruit and spices with silky tannins and this Cuvee is one of the finest wines from the appellation.

A well-made Christmas dinner is the essence of enjoyable celebrations with family and friends. While we are lavished by a variety of delicious food - my personal favourite is the roast turkey with a secret recipe cranberry sauce, and we certainly need a Burgundy wine to go with it. My pick this year is the Domaine Ghislaine Barthod Les Cras, Chambolle-Musigny 2002. The wine has immense fruit and power while maintaining refreshing acidity. This is of impressive complexity and length that will complement the turkey nicely.

My parents like Sauternes but this year I want to make them experience a German Riesling instead. I am a huge fan of the Rieslings of the Mosel. Not many places can reach that level of precision in the balance between sweetness and acidity. I think these wines are finer than Sauternes and feel lighter than most sweet Bordeaux wines. Also, Riesling is much more versatile. This Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Spatlese 2012 will be sublime with many of the possible dishes at our Christmas dinner, and it doesn't have to be strictly served for dessert.