12 Winning Wines For Christmas

We’ve shortlisted 12 essential white and reds that are perfect to enjoy over the festive season!

From Pinot to Bordeaux, Chiroubles, Côtes du Rhône, Ribera del Duero for the reds and a range of Chardonnay from Burgundy including Macon Charnay & Macon-Fuisse, along with whites from the Loire, Sicily & Alsace.

Moulin de Gassac, Pinot Noir, Pays d’Oc

Complex and delicate nose: Tipicity of the Pinot noir: candied cherry, light roasted hints and mocha with a nice herbaceous edge. Abundunt fruit. A beautiful freshness and soft tannins make it a balanced and fine Pinot.

Domaine la Soumade, Cotes du Rhone

Domaine Soumade produce some brilliant reds across the board on their 26 hectare estate.This is their serious Cotes du Rhone from the South which involves Grenache and Syrah. Dark fruits of plum and blackberries, spice and cedar. Great fruit density with ripe and well integrated tannins. A very well made CDR. Super value!

Yves Cuilleron, Syrah, North Rhone

An expressive nose on the small red fruits. On the palate, fresh red fruits and delicate spices give a lovely expression of the Syrah. Another great wine from Cuilleron.

Chateau Calvimont, Graves, Bordeaux

Classic fresh claret with cool black fruits, blackcurrants, blackberries & cedar notes that’s beautifully balanced with acidity and well integrated tannins.

Rippa Dorii, Crianza, Ribera del Duero

Aromas of bramble fruit, vanilla, nutmeg and sweet spice. The palate is rich and complex with blueberry and blackberry fruit, ripe tannins and good length.

Domaine Cheysson, Chiroubles, Beuajolais

Beautifully perfumed on the nose this is juicy and lively with cherries, fresh strawberries and ripe bramble fruit. Some pleasant pepper notes linger on the finish. The tannins are smooth, lending structure but are not overly textural and there is real depth, which balances with the freshness of the style.

Montsable, Chardonnay, Haute Vallee de L’Aude

Beautifully balanced with ripeness, acidity, length and real structure. A lot of Chardonnay for your money here.

Clos de l’Eglise, Macon Charnay, Burgundy

This is an elegant, unoaked Mâcon-Charnay. Ripe citrus notes on the nose, with a complex palate which balances richness with a gently herbaceous and mineral streak. Great value for a well made Macon.

Domaine Fussiacus, Macon Fuisse, Burgundy

Aromas of lemons and citrus fruit with a hint of stony minerality. Round smooth mouthfeel with apple and lemon flavours. The finish is lively with well balanced acidity. A classy glass of Chardonnay.

Domaine Pre Baron, Sauvignon Blanc, Touraine, Loire

Inviting peachy fruit on the nose and peach and slightly tropical fruit notes on the palate. Full-flavoured and ripe with a fresh lingering, lemony finish.

Domaine Mittnacht, Pinot Blanc, Alsace

Domaine Mittnacht is run by Christophe and his wife Yuka, a talented Japanese chef. They were one of the first domaines in Alsace to convert to biodynamic viticulture in 1999. These wines are all about the pure fruit, sharp acidity and lovely minerality. It's like a Gewurztraminer on the nose, with the typical high level of acidity from Pinot Blanc and that mouth filling texture you get from Pinot Gris. 3 wines for the price of one!

Marabino, Muscatedda, Sicily 

An aromatic white made from Moscato Bianco. Typically in the region these grapes are used for sweet or fortified wines, but Pierpaolo has chosen to create a crisp, dry version. Floral and fresh.