The Christmas and New Year period is when we’ll be popping more corks than normal. Well, some of us will be! Thing is, we don't want to break the bank, but we still want the wine to be really darn good. Is this possible? Yes! We’ve done the ‘hard’ work and sipped our way through enough wine this year, so we can bring you the most delicious booze for your buck. Here are some great, special, yet affordable white wines for Christmas.
Eylo Verdejo, Rueda 2020
Vibrant, tropical and zesty, Verdejo is a luscious, Spanish grape that lovers of Sauvignon who want something a bit different will adore. A little fuller-bodied than a Sauvignon, the Eylo has a lush note of smoky guava with its citrusy, crisp goodness. Drink this with goats cheese, white fish and smoked salmon - or just sip it alone.
ABV: 13.5%
Size: 750ml
Grape: Verdejo (Spain)
Find here from Laithwaites: £10.99
Tempus Two Quartz Chardonnay, 2020
Modern style, easy drinking, Aussie Chardonnay at its best and by that, we mean fresh and fruity with notes of melon and white peach - not a sickly oak bomb. This is a great food wine that will work with your turkey as well as nutty hard cheeses. A proper, reliable crowd pleaser.
ABV: 12%
Size: 750ml
Grape: Chardonnay (South Australia)
Find here from Sainsbury’s: £7
Tesco Finest Soave Superiore Classico, 2020
Soave lost favour as a wine style when Pinot Grigio took over for a while, but it’s finding favour again as a go-to, quality-driven, dry white wine style. Easy with everything, alone or with food, this particular version with its touch of salted almonds will appeal to everyone and at any time.
ABV: 13%
Size: 750ml
Grape: Garganega (Soave Classico, Italy)
Find here from Tesco: £7.50 (IWSC 2021 Gold Medal Winner)
Campanula Pinot Grigio, 2020
It’s not every day we recommend Pinot Grigio because to be honest, we were a bit over it. However, Hungary is producing some really fabulous whites at the moment and this little PG is rather good. It has the classic white pear and mineral vibe going on with a lovely balance and texture. Italy, watch your backs!
ABV: 12.5%
Size: 750ml
Grape: Pinot Grigio (Hungary)
Find here from Laithwaites: £9.99
Chapel Down Chardonnay, 2020
There’s something about Chardonnay grapes in Kent and the sunny 2020 vintage really made them sing! This is a glorious, mid-world style of Chardonnay that has a crispness that Chablis lovers will enjoy with an extra dollop of fruit to keep everyone happy. Peach, melon, a touch of vanilla pod and a cool slick of citrus. Lovely.
ABV: 11.5%
Size: 750ml
Grape: Chardonnay (England)
Find here from Majestic £11.99
L’émigre Blanc, Graves, White Bordeaux, 2020
Ok, so £14.99 is not your cheapest wine but for a high class, White Bordeaux it’s actually pretty good value. White Bordeaux will usually be a blend of zesty, citrusy Sauvignon Blanc with the more waxy, weighty Sémillon. The result is rich and intense yet elegant, with a touch of spice. This white Bordeaux is organic with great intensity offering well defined flavours of elderflower, lime and blackcurrant leaf. Its label appeal is big too!
ABV: 12%
Size: 750ml
Grape: Sauvignon Blend (Graves - Bordeaux, France)
Find here from Virgin Wines: £14.99