thegrapedcrusader

[thegrapedcrusader]

Christmas Wine Guide 2023

I'm sure I only did my last festive wine guide around 6 months ago. Time is flying and Christmas will be here before you know it. Here's my guide to what you should be drinking this year with the usual irreverent categories..... Happy Christmas everyone!

The "Champagne is getting a bit pricey isn't it?" sparkling choice - Jansz Premium Cuvee NV Tasmania - £14.49 Waitrose

The rugged region of Tasmania probably isn't the first place you think of for elegant and charismatic sparkling wine but the clever chaps at Jansz are certainly making it work. This blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir is terrific and punches far above its price point. Some stunning value here (currently £4 off in Waitrose) and a regular for us at home.

The "I want to take something a bit different round to my friend's house" wine - Orange natural wine Recas Estate 2022 - £14.40 Tanners

If you're not the only person that rocks up with a natural orange wine from Romania then you're at a very civilised gathering indeed. This blend of Fetească Regală, Muscat Ottonel, Riesling and Pinot Grigio is full of rich apricot and orange notes and has a slightly nutty / brioche finish. This never fails to impress when I open a bottle and being sulphite free is an added bonus.

The "Christmas spirit (no not that spirit)" option - Altamura Distilleries Premium Vodka - £32.50 Master of Malt

Until a few years ago I thought my vodka days were behind me (and even then they were cheap mixer days at best). Having begun delving into the world of fine vodka a few years ago however I've been stunned at some of the offerings available. This vodka is crafted from 100% Altamura wheat, a heritage grain cultivated for over two millennia in Italy's Puglia region. The resulting vodka has a citrus and aniseed flavour which whilst excellent in a high end cocktail is even better on its own with a few ice cubes.

The "You have to have a Pinot Noir with Christmas dinner" option - Domanie de la Metairie d'Alon Pinot Noir Village 2021 - £17.99 Majestic

I've long been a believer in the incredible match that Pinot Noir proves to a Christmas dinner. Typically I've gone New World, particularly Central Otago (NZ). This French example from close to Limoux in southern France really impressed me recently. An elegant and fresh wine with hints of cherry and liquorice that will work well if you're organised and eating relatively early in the afternoon.

Hope you all have a fantastic Christmas!

Richard

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Cordon Cut has always been one of my favourite dessert wines, just behind Vin de Constance. I’d been saving this wine for years and today seemed as good a time as any to crack it open. Absolutely spectacular!…. @mounthorrocks (at Bromsgrove) https://www.instagram.com/p/CisevMqtfbC/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Plucked one from the archives for lunch today. Blown away by this; so concentrated and youthful despite being 24 years old…. (at Bromsgrove) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ciscjd_t1Oh/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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A suitable toast to Her Majesty…. (at Bromsgrove) https://www.instagram.com/p/CisGLu6Nm02/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Time to prepare for the return of the autumnal reds! This seemed as good a place to start as any as I’ve got a few of these and wanted to try the first from this vintage to get an idea of longevity. Certainly tastes quite green and youthful still though softened after a few hours in decanter. Lots of hints of mulberry, cassis and graphite and a linear yet engaging finish. Took me right back to our visit to @warwickwineestate on honeymoon many moons ago…. (at Bromsgrove) https://www.instagram.com/p/CiXBtpstflm/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Sundowners at @isgalisogut last night…. Not the worst place for a Frederick Wheat IPA by @tuborg…. (at Isgali By Manzara) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChUWSIWN__d/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Out of office on… @efes Cold Filtered working beautifully… lovely spot @isgalisogut…. (at Isgali By Manzara) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChR6V3bNcM1/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Awesome #Cabernet by @journeysendwines - definitely young tasting but clearly has a long life ahead of it. Currently £10.99 in @waitrose which is a definite bargain…. (at Bromsgrove) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg7eXvntk-a/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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The epic “Optimo” pale ale by @digbrewco, hopped with Mosaic, Azacca and Cashmere. Such a brilliant pale ale with tropical and pine notes on the palate. This was a seemingly tiny can. As if #Birmingham wasn’t crushing it enough hosting the #commonwealthgames we also have brilliant breweries… as an added bonus you can now pick up @digbrewco cans from @digbrewsbottleshop just outside New Street Station. No excuse for drinking crap ale Brummies…..! (at Bromsgrove) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg4sB0atUcN/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Great night at the #b2022 #commonwealthgames Cricket at Edgbaston last night. Proud of Brum!…. (at Edgbaston Stadium) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cgoe02Rt9ic/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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I’ve realised that the wife never falls asleep on the sofa when we have a cracking wine. It’s becoming something of a benchmark for quality. Maybe I should send bottle stickers out to winemakers when they pass the nap test… this is a beautiful #Rioja from @bodegasmuga; one of my favourite producers from the region. A dark and brooding wine with velvety tannins. A grudgingly shared bottle…! (at Bromsgrove) https://www.instagram.com/p/CgZAOpyNGjH/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Do you remember those days when we used to drink red wine in the U.K.? Happy times…. That said, we all blown it’ll be Autumn next week but until then refreshment is king. This #Cremant de Limoux from @berrybrosrudd really hits the spot. It’s a blend of mainly Chenin with a dash of Chardonnay and Mauzac. The peach and toasty notes are almost enough to forget the end of days heat raging all around us. A bargain at £13.95… (at Bromsgrove) https://www.instagram.com/p/CgNQskktKLE/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Don’t worry. This isn’t a Smurf wine. But it is an absolutely cracking rosé for when it all gets a bit much having blown up and filled a paddling pool that then gets used for 148 seconds. I’m a bit of a rosé shirker for most of the year but when the heat is on it just makes more sense. We even ended up having paella. Getting right Spanish round these parts… £10.45 from @vinissimus.wines (at Bromsgrove) https://www.instagram.com/p/CgIAiCitffv/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Note: Autumn has been pushed back a few weeks. Get the @chapeldown Flint Dry out!… love this wine; a perennially enjoyable afternoon garden wine…. (at Bromsgrove) https://www.instagram.com/p/CfwqVNRNAv7/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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When the peak of summer hits in the U.K. (also known as late spring and early autumn) it’s important to capitalise on a crap weather day (also known as every other day) to sneak in a dark and brooding wintery red whilst you get the chance. This is a bit of a “it does what it says on the tin” kind of wine. A dense, decadent and fruit packed #BarossaValley #Shiraz. Most of all it was enormous fun…. An enjoyable entry level wine from the legends that are @torbreckbarossa (at Bromsgrove) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce_4wwbt2YT/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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As is quite typical for me we’ve embarked on a bit of a South African wine frenzy the last few days. This has been the latest offering; a wonderful Stellenbosch Merlot with a bit of bottle age. The nose is venturing into St Emilion territory with that lovely hint of Brie rind whereas the palate is full of violets, blueberries and spice. Reluctantly shared with a group of 4 dammit…… @journeysendwines (at Cheshire Polo Club) https://www.instagram.com/p/CeUNrE3tSnI/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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This Gruner Veltliner by @diemersdalwines impressed last night. It’s the first Gruner grown in South Africa and on the strength of this hopefully there’ll be far more. Lovely minerality to this with melon and citrus notes. Currently £4 off at @majesticwine down to £7.99 a bottle which is nuts…. (at Cheshire Polo Club) https://www.instagram.com/p/CeS5XdSNml_/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=