Top Xmas wine tips

(By Peter Richards MW & Susie Barrie MW)

It’s that time of year, isn’t it?

Review pieces about 2014 in the papers. Christmas cards and well-wishing emails. Even the concept of the advent calendar is being reinvented, to scary effect…

In the spirit of being useful, and sticking to what we do best, here’s our festive recommendations of fantastic wines for you to enjoy during this most delicious time of year.

Some of these were stand-out wines we tasted at Wine Festival Winchester a few weeks ago. (And if you need a different kind of present, don’t forget you can now buy tickets for next year’s festival, 27-29 November 2015, via the website!)

Others are wines (or the odd beer) we’ve tasted in recent weeks and which we think would make for delicious festive drinking.

Sorry in advance if any wines have sold out before you get there. There’s something for everyone – from bargains to special treats. Even a beer made with bits of Christmas tree… We’ve organised them according to our Follow Your Taste style scheme, which we used at Wine Festival Winchester. Check out this page for more info.

Those with a date indicate special offers. There’s a fair old price war going on at the moment in the supermarkets; it’s important to clarify that these are the wines we think offer great value at their prices listed below, discounted or not.

And thanks for popping in here, both now and over the year. We appreciate your company! It’s been quite a year, what with our debut marathon and wine festival, plus the usual delicious high-jinks with Saturday Kitchen, BBC Good Food Shows, The Palate – and there’s much more to come in 2015.

We’d like to wish you the most delicious celebrations!

Susie & Peter’s 2014 festive wine recommendations

LET’S GET FIZZICAL!

• Finest Bisol Prosecco NV, Italy (£5.59, Tesco, until 31.12.14)
• Côte Mas Picpoul Frisant 2013, France (£9, Olivers Beer and Wine Warehouse)
• Codorniu Reina Maria Cristina Blanc de Noirs 2011, Spain (£9.99, Majestic)
• Pol Aimé Champagne, France (£12.99, Tesco)
• Vouvray Pétilant 2009, Domaine Huet, France (£101.94 per 6, Armit Wines)
• Klein Constantia Methode Cap Classique 2011, South Africa (£17.00, SA Wines Online)
• Joseph Chromy Sparkling NV, Australia (£20, M&S)
• Lanson Black Label Brut NV Champagne, France (£22 until 1.1.2014, Sainsbury’s or £24.99 at Waitrose until 30.12.14)
• Nyetimber Classic Cuvée 2009, England (from £23.98, Majestic Wines or £23.99 at Waitrose until 30.12.14)
• Les Pionniers Vintage Champagne 2004, France (£24.99, Co-op)
• Jenkyn Place Brut Cuvee 2010, England (£26)
• Cottonworth Classic Cuvée, England (£28)
• Hambledon Classic Cuvée, England (£28.50)
• Nyetimber Rosé 2009, England (£33.75, Waitrose until 30.12.14)
• Pol Roger 2004 Vintage Champagne, France (£44.99, Waitrose until 30.12.14)
• Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2007 Late Disgorged, England (£59.99)
• Hattingley Valley Kings Cuvée 2011, England (£65)

WHITES – Like it fresh and racy?

• Mudhouse Sauvignon Blanc 2014, New Zealand (£6.66, Majestic Wines)
• Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand (£6.99, Tesco until 1.1.2015)
• Matetic Coralillo Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Chile (£7.99, Majestic)
• Picpoul de Pinet 2013, France (£8.50, M&S)
• Washington Hills Columbia Valley Riesling 2013, USA (£8.99, Tesco)
• Amalaya Torrontes/Riesling 2014, Argentina (£9.95, Wine Utopia)
• Les Armes de Chablis 2013 Petit Chablis, France (£9.99, Waitrose)
• Jim Barry the Lodge Hill Riesling 2013, Australia (£9.99, Co-op)
• Clos St Jacques Riesling 2011, France (£9.99, Majestic)
• Cape Peninsula Sauvignon Blanc 2014, South Africa (£10, M&S)
• The Society’s Chablis, Jean-Marc Brocard 2012, France (£11.50, The Wine Society)
• Chablis 2012, France (£12, M&S)
• Earth’s End Central Otago Riesling 2013, New Zealand (£13, M&S)
• Sancerre Les Ruettes 2013, France (£14.50, M&S)
• Stepp Riesling *S* Kallstadter Saumagen 2013, Germany (dry) (£15, M&S)
• Astrolabe Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2014, New Zealand (£16.99, Waitrose)

WHITES – Give me mellow yellow

• Sainsbury’s TTD Languedoc Blanc, France (£6 until 1.1.2015)
• Pietrariccia Fiano 2013, Surani, Italy (£7.49, Majestic until 2.2.15)
• Marquis de Pennautier Viognier 2013, France (£7.49, Majestic)
• Adega de Pegões Colheita Seleccionada, Portugal (Wine Society, £8.50)
• Mas la Chevalière Vignoble Peyroli Chardonnay 2012, France (£9.74, Majestic until 2.2.15)
• Richard’s Cape South Coast Chardonnay 2013, South Africa (Naked Wines, £12.99 or £9.49 for Angels)
• Pecorino 2013, Cantina Orsogna Autoctoni, Italy (£9.99, Red Squirrel Wine)
• King’s Thorn Pinot Gris 2013, New Zealand (£9.99, Majestic)
• Muscadet 2009 Le Pallet, France (£9.99, Majestic)
• Cornelia White 2014, South Africa (£10, M&S)
• Macon Villages Uchizy 2013, France (£11, M&S)
• Bellingham The Bernard Series Roussanne 2013, South Africa (£11, Sainsbury’s until 1.1.2015)
• Jean-Luc Colombo La Redonne Cotes du Rhone blanc 2013, France (£12.99, Waitrose)
• Paul Cluver Chardonnay 2013, South Africa (£13.99, Tesco)
• Bolfan Primus Orange Pinot Sivi 2012, Croatia (£14, M&S)
• Blankbottle Moment of Silence 2013, South Africa (£14.50, Stone Vine & Sun)
• Chablis Premier Cru, Brocard 2012, France (£14.50, Sainsbury’s until 1.1.2015)
• Iona Chardonnay 2013, South Africa (£15, M&S)
• De Morgenzon Chenin Blanc 2013, South Africa (£16, Majestic)
• Pandolfi Price Los Patricios Chardonnay 2013, Chile (Stone, Vine & Sun, £17.50)
• López de Heredia Viña Gravonia Blanco Crianza 2004, Rioja, Spain (£18.95, Berry Bros. & Rudd)
• Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay 2009, New Zealand (£18.99, Waitrose)
• Marqués de Murrieta Capellania Blanco Reserva 2009, Spain (£19.80, Haynes Hanson & Clark)
• Auvigue Le Clos 2011 Pouilly-Fuissé, France (£19.99, Waitrose)

REDS – Feeling fruity?

• Winemaker’s Selection by Sainsbury’s Rioja Reciente NV, Spain (£5.25, Sainsbury’s)
• Estiba I Malbec 2013, Argetina (£5.99, Tesco)
• Sangiovese di Puglia, Vetriano 2013, Italy (£6.50, Haynes Hanson & Clark)
• Domaine de Montval Syrah 2013, France (£6.66, Majestic)
• Corolla Nero d’Avola 2012, Italy (£6.74, Majestic)
• Porta 6 2012, Portugal (£7.49, Majestic Wine)
• Finest Domaine Aubersmenil Fitou 2012, France (£7.99, Tesco)
• Tercius Touriga Nacional 2011, Portugal (£8, M&S)
• Jaboulet Syrah 2013, France (£8.99, Majestic)
• Henry Fessy Coteaux Bourguignons 2012, France (£9, M&S)
• The Ned Pinot Noir 2013, New Zealand (£9.99, Majestic until 2.2.15)
• Mud House Pinot Noir 2013, New Zealand (£10.49, Tesco)
• Cuvée Balthazar Syrah 2012, France (£11.49, Waitrose)
• Etna Rosso Pietradolce 2013, Italy (£71.94 per 6, Armit Wines)
• LAM Pinotage 2013, South Africa (£14, The Wine Butler)
• Stockmans Station Central Otago Pinot Noir 2011, New Zealand (£14.99, Tesco)
• Michel Chapoutier La Petite Ruche 2012 Crozes-Hermitage, France (£15.99, Waitrose)
• Beaune 1er Cru Les Toussaints 2008, Albert Morot, France (£22, Majestic)
• Ghost Corner Pinot Noir 2013, South Africa (£19.49, Waitrose)
• Escarpment Kupe Pinot Noir 2011, New Zealand (£32.99, Waitrose)

REDS – Are you a big smoothie?

• Casillero del Diablo Carmenere 2012, Chile (£7.99, Co-op)
• Mayu Syrah Reserva, Chile (£8, Sainsbury’s until 1.1.2015)
• Ravenswood Lodi Zinfandel, USA (£8, Sainsbury’s until 1.1.2015)
• Cotes du Rhone Villages 2013, France (£8.50, M&S)
• Cerro Syrah 2012, Chile (£9, M&S)
• Serabel 2013 Cairanne, Cotes du Rhone Villages, France (£9.49, Waitrose)
• Settevigne Vino Rosso 2011 Italy (£9.99, Waitrose)
• Tierras Coloradas Old Vine Carignan 2011 Montsant, Spain (£9.99, Waitrose)
• Château Barreyres Haut Medoc 2011, France (£10, Sainsbury’s until 1.1.2015)
• Brazin Old Vine Zinfandel 2012, California (£10.29, Waitrose until 30.12.14)
• F’Oz 2013 Alentejo (£10.69, Waitrose)
• Limestone Block Malbec Blend 2012, TintoNegro, Argentina (£65.94 per 6, Armit Wines)
• Barbaresco 2011, Italy (£12, M&S)
• Simonelli Santi & Malintoppo 2012 Italy (£12.95, Grape Expectations Wine)
• Sussex Vale Margaret River Cabernet Merlot 2012, Australia (£14, M&S)
• Muga Rioja Reserva 2010, Spain (£14.99, Co-op)
• Chateau Guillot 2007, Pomerol, France (£19.99, Majestic)
• Château Potensac 1997, Bordeaux, France (£20, Berry Bros & Rudd)
• Pometti Noi Orcia DOC 2009, Italy (£21, Toscanaccio)
• Pauillac, Lacoste Borie 2007, France (£22, Sainsbury’s until 1.1.2015)
• La Rioja Alta Viña Arana 2006 Reserva, Spain (£22.49, Waitrose)
• Chateau Lanessan 2004, France (£23, M&S)
• Marqués de Murrieta Tinto Gran Reserva 2005, Rioja, Spain (£26.95, Haynes Hanson & Clark)
• Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Reservee 2011, Domaine de Pegau, France (£30, Majestic)

SWEET TOOTH & STICKY FINGERS

• Duc de Termes Limited Edition Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh, France (£5.99 for 37.5cl, Tesco)
• Finest Dessert Semillon 2009, Australia (£6.79, Tesco)
• Innocent Bystander Pink Moscato 2014, Australia (£7.95 for 37.5cl, Wine Utopia)
• Rustenberg Straw Wine 2011, South Africa (£8.66 for 37.5cl, Majestic Wines)
• Gibo Asti Dolce NV, Italy (£9, M&S)
• KWV Cape Tawny NV, South Africa (£9.99, M&S)
• Taylor’s LBV Port, Portugal (£10, Sainsbury’s & Tesco until 1.1.2015)
• Finest Reserve Port NV, Portugal (£11.99, M&S)
• Domaine Fontanel Rivesaltes Ambré 2001, France (£15.50, Stone Vine & Sun)
• Kalleske JMK Fortified Shiraz 2012, Australia (£19.95, Wine Utopia)
• Taylor’s Quinta de Vargellas 2001, Portugal (£30, Waitrose)
• 20 Year Old Tawny Quinta de Bom-Retiro, Portugal (£34.10, Haynes Hanson & Clark)

And finally…

• Southwold Spruce IPA (£2, M&S)
• Antica Formula Red Vermouth (£15, M&S)
• Fine Single Malt English Whisky (£35, M&S)