Festive Wine Pairings & Tasting Notes

The perfect pairings for your Christmas table.

In conjunction with Pippa Sedgwick we have the perfect wine for every meal during the festive period, packed with so many award winning wines it’s difficult to list them all. Here’s our top picks this year.

Digby Fine English, Non-Vintage, Hampshire, England.

Gold Medal Wine GB Awards 2022

A blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. Appealing toasty, nutty, biscuity aromas. The palate is generous in flavour with refreshing green apple compote fruit notes, beautifully balanced, enjoy the lovely long finish. Pair with Smoked salmon or lobster, also soft cheeses such as Camembert and Brie.

Digby Fine English, Leander Pink Non-Vintage Brut, Hampshire, England.

The official sparkling wine of the world-renowned Leander Rowing Club.

Gold Medal World Champagne and Sparkling Wine Championships 2021

Best in Class World Champagne and Sparkling Wine Championships 2021

Classic blend of Champagne grapes Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier. A stylish sparkling rosé with mulled berry fruit aromas, the palate is creamy and delicious with a long refreshing finish. It makes a great aperitif, delicious with canapes. Perfect with seafood, charcuterie meats and even your Christmas turkey. Alternatively open a bottle with your cheeseboard or the wine pairs wonderfully with our meringue roulade.

‘The Holy Snail’ Sauvignon Blanc IGP Val de Loire Thierry Delaunay, France.

A classic Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley, citrus, and tropical fruit aromas, full of character and depth. Akin to a lighter style Sancerre and very drinkable indeed. Pair with fresh crab, grilled fish, smoked salmon, goats’ cheese, fresh herbs, and tomatoes.

Sauvignon Blanc, Durvillea, Astrolabe, Marlborough, New Zealand.

From Marlborough legends Astrolabe. Lip smacking Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, plenty of gooseberry fresh fruit and citrus lime flavours that deliver with every mouthful, with a lovely minerally long finish. Great with oysters, smoked salmon, chicken, vegetarian dishes and especially your Turkey curry made with the Christmas day leftovers.

Astrolabe Sauvignon, Marlborough, New Zealand.

Astrolabe’s Sauvignon is a vibrant, minerally Marlborough Sauvignon, lovely aromas of lemon grass, lime peel and elderflower. The palate is dry, medium bodied with flavours of white peach, gooseberry and citrus notes to the fore leading onto a long fresh finish. The perfect wine for your Christmas meal.

Eguia Tempranillo, Bodegas Muriel, Rioja, Spain.

Aged for 6 months in oak the wine offers bold red fruit aromas along with scents of vanilla. The palate is fresh, vibrant, savoury, and elegant leaving a pleasant long finish. Delicious with lamb, beef, and poultry. Great with your cheese board.

Malbicho Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina

The spirit of this wine is unique and expressive with red fruit aromas, the palate is rich fruity smooth and long. Perfect with beef or lamb. Best paired with Shropshire blue or classic stilton on the cheese board.

Santa Alba Reserve Pinot Noir, Vina Alto Roble, Curicó Valley, Chile.

Inviting aromas of strawberry, raspberry, dark ripe cherry, hint of cinnamon, the palate is just as rewarding with a little weight and hint of vanilla due 4 months ageing in American oak, altogether, well balanced with a touch of elegance on the finish. A fantastic wine for your boxing day buffet pairs with turkey, charcuterie, cold cuts, cheese board and fresh salmon.

White Rabbit (dry white port) Niepoort, Douro Valley, Portugal.

Lovely aromas of nuts and almonds, the palate is concentrated and fresh with a hint of sweetness. Served chilled with ice and a slice, delicious! Pairs wonderfully with canapés, cheese, pâté, and crusty bread.

Tawny Dee (tawny port) Niepoort, Douro Valley, Portugal.

Delicate nutty aromas with a hint of dried fruits, enjoy the luscious youthful character. Simply partner with Pâté and crusty bread, Christmas pudding, mince pies and a good cheeseboard.

Ruby Dum (ruby port) Niepoort, Douro Valley, Portugal.

Fresh vibrant fruity style, well balanced through to the long finish. Very drinkable indeed! Enjoy on its own or with Pâté and crusty bread, Christmas pudding, mince pies and your festive cheeseboard.

Deliciosa Manzanilla ‘Pago de Miraflores’ Valdespino, Jerez, Spain.

Nutty, fresh, and yeasty, delicious! A great aperitif with salted almonds and really should be tried with smoked fish.

Inocente Fino ‘Pago De Macharnudo’ Valdespino, Jerez, Spain.

Trophy | Trophy – IWC 2021 International Wine Challenge

Textbook Fino. Full and aromatic, beautifully balanced. A great aperitif with salted almonds, olives and charcuterie.

Pedro Ximenez El Candado, Valdespino, Jerez, Spain.

Awards: Gold – IWC 2020 International Wine Challenge

The finest, darkest, sweetest, most intoxicating PX ever! Best poured over the finest vanilla ice cream. Heaven!