What Should You Do With Leftover Wine?

Humble brag, but we like to think that if you’ve followed our guidance and recommendations then leftover wine won’t be much of an issue because they’ll simply be too delicious to forget about… but if you do find yourself with some leftover wine that you don’t want to drink for whatever reason, here are some ideas before pouring it away. Waste not want not!

Basic Preservation

Let’s start with the fundamentals to preserve what’s left of the wine in the best way possible. Air is the main thing that kills wine off, so re-cork if rather than leaving it exposed! Having a reusable cork ready to use that fits most bottles will be handy, and we’ve got some other tips for you too. Perhaps the celebrations have stopped early and there’s still bubbly to spare? Get yourself a Champagne stopper on hand to keep the bubbles and freshness for as long as possible. Also, oxidation is slower at colder temperatures so make sure your re-corked wine is refrigerated. After that, ensure that it’s upright to limit the surface area of wine exposed to oxygen.

If you regularly find yourself with half a bottle leftover, then consider purchasing some empty half bottles to pour it into. This way, there’ll be considerably less air getting at the wine and it will stay fresher for longer!

Cooking Wine

Different wines last for different amounts of time once opened, and even then, it can be down to personal preference whether a wine is still good to use or not. Generally, wine starts oxidising considerably after 24 hours and beyond that, the infamous vinegary quality will build and build.

Red wines can sometimes take on an acrid quality even quicker than whites, but generally, the shelf life of whites to be used in cooking is slightly less. Here at The Three Drinkers we’ve used wines that were opened a couple of months ago in cooking with no issues, so judge it on a case-by-case basis. Some oxidation is fine, but if it’s noticeably vinegary and acidic then leave it out.

Also, it may sound obvious but if you’re just using a small splash of wine, the quality of the bottle doesn’t matter too much. After all, it’s being heated to a high temperature and reduced to the fundamental essence of the flavouring. However, if you’re cooking something that relies on the wine – Bolognese or Bourguignon for example, then you don’t want to put your whole meal at risk by using a dodgy leftover wine.

And it’s not just adding wine into a pot that can create something delicious. There are all kinds of fantastic sauces, butters, glazes, and marinades that make great use of wine, especially red wine, so experiment away.

DIY vinegar

If you really aren’t too keen on the bottle, then you probably won’t want to risk spoiling a hard-cooked meal with it either, so how about DIY vinegar? Nature will take its course with this once you leave the wine in a covered container (you can get specialist containers if you’re regularly doing this), and you can nudge it along with symbiotic bacteria and yeast cultures if required, turning alcohol into acetic acid. Honestly, it sounds a lot more complicated than it is and it’s a really interesting experiment to have on the go!

The time taken can range between two weeks to two months, and if you’re using a particularly strong wine, it’s worth diluting slightly because the bacteria struggle with too much alcohol.  The same goes for excessive sulfites. Keep it in a warm place, check on it every so often and voila! Your own red or white wine vinegar, ready to use in salad dressings, sauces, marinades, reductions, and pickling.

Vacuum Pumps

This is a slightly more extreme measure to take sure, but vacuum pumps aren’t too expensive and work really well to preserve open wines by clicking when the air has been removed from the bottle. There are plenty of these devices, often called, ‘Wine Saver’s but Vacu-Vin are a reliable brand if you want to take that extra step to preserve your wine.

Inert Gas Preservation

Now, this is worth it if you’re a real wine enthusiast, these machines pierce the cork with a needle to extract the wine you want to drink, replacing it with argon gas simultaneously for ultimate freshness preservation. The Coravin Model is most enthusiasts’ go-to machine, allowing you to pour any amount of any wine, without removing the cork at all!

Sangria

There’s a chance your wine may be too far gone for this, or perhaps you really haven’t enjoyed the bottle, in which case maybe ignore this one. But, if you still enjoyed your red wine and just have some leftovers that are on the turn, try Sangria. With so many different fruits, loads of ice and a generous sloshing of brandy, your wine will have new life breathed into it. Let the fruit rest with sugar and a little cinnamon for a while before using, and any unpleasantness from the wine should be tapered off by the bolder flavours and gorgeous sweetness of the mix. Sangria saves the day and not for the first time!

Mulled wine

From summer to winter; mulled wine is one of the best ways to get the most out of leftover wine in the chilly months. Simmering your wine slowly with brandy and warming spices (star anise, cloves, cinnamon) is incredibly satisfying to watch over, and there’s no set-in-stone recipe, so you can add in various fruits, lemon zest, sugar etc. to your personal taste. The key to mulled wine is low heat, giving time for everything to infuse whilst it cools down. Ideally for you, we have an entire episode of our Bring a Bottle podcast dedicated to walking you through it!

Episode 71: How to Do Mulled Wine Properly

Wine ice cubes

If there’s any food and drink in the kitchen that needs preserving, it isn’t long before we turn to the freezer let’s face it. So, can wine be frozen? Well, if you’re freezing a substantial amount with the expectation of returning to it and sipping it from a glass in the usual way, you’ll probably be disappointed. The wine won’t be the same once it’s thawed, but wine ice cubes are great for adding intensity to sangria, and still work perfectly in cooking. Just make sure you don’t freeze the whole bottle because that could get messy.

Moisturiser

A less conventional usage this one, but why not give it a go? It’s becoming more well known in recent years that the antioxidant high polyphenols in red wine can be beneficial for the skin, protecting it from free radicals, which are basically unstable atoms that can damage cells and speed up aging). Some research shows that the polyphenols also nourish and exfoliate the skin, and whilst the science isn’t of concrete certainty, numerous luxury brands have popped up using this idea. Brad Pitt’s Le Domaine, Caudalie, Westwell and Pelegrims to name a few. Apply it to your skin in any way you like, but why not try a splash of leftover wine in the bath? It might sound strange, but some people are chuffed with the results!

Compost

If there’s really no other use for your wine, then this has got to be better than pouring it down the plughole. Leftover wine and beer can really kickstart a compost into getting moving, with the yeast presence helping considerably. It’s an easy way to add liquid to the heap, the nitrogen helps too, and red wine in particular can activate good bacteria to enhance plant growth should you eventually use your compost for that. Don’t add too much though, because this can actually have the opposite effect and harm the bacteria that are key to a successful compost.

Apparently, the average British household throws away two glasses of wine a week, and as you can see, there’s really no excuse. If you want to take a look at some wines that you’ll almost certainly finish before you even have to worry about leftovers, then check out our very best Reds and Whites here!

8 Sparkling Wine Cocktails To Serve This Festive Season

You can’t beat adding some fizz and sparkle to festive proceedings with sparkling wine cocktails. They’re super simple to make, refreshing, delicious and they’re amazingly versatile when it comes with food pairings. From classics to more unusual concoctions, these are 8 of the best cocktails using various sparkling wines!

Negroni Sbagliato

Don’t be surprised if younger family members bring this cocktail up, because it went viral on TikTok recently after House of the Dragon star Emma D’Arcy announced her love for it. In short, it’s a Prosecco Negroni. This makes for a lighter Negroni, perfect if you’re not a big fan of the usual bitterness Negronis can have. An extra dry Prosecco like Giusti Rosalia works perfectly because the slight sweetness counteracts the spirits’ bitterness.

Ingredients
25ml Prosecco
25ml Campari
25ml sweet vermouth
orange slice (to garnish)

 Method
Pour the Campari and vermouth into a rocks glass and fill it with ice. Top up with Prosecco. Stir gently to chill and garnish with the orange slice. Voilà!

Mimosa

Any sparkling wine of your choice will do for a Mimosa, but we’ve gone for Cava. It’s the light and fresh option that’s perfect for pretty much any special occasion, and Christmas is no different! Just sparkling wine and orange juice here, so it’s perfect to ratio to your liking. If you’ve got a sparkling wine that you particularly love, go heavy on that! But if Nan’s on her 3rd Baileys before the turkey’s even out of the oven? Maybe it’s a good idea to up that OJ before handing her one.

Ingredients
100ml Cava
100ml orange juice 

Method
It’s just a case of combining the two in flutes here, so make sure you’ve got a sparkling wine that you love, and a good quality orange juice! It couldn’t be simpler.

Top Tip: Remember, chill everything to avoid using ice as this will kill off the bubbles!

Bellini

Famously easy to make, this a reliably refreshing Italian cocktail with only two ingredients – Prosecco and peach. It was supposedly named after Renaissance painter Giovanni Bellini because the drink’s gorgeous colour reminded the Venetian bartender of Bellini’s warm colour palette!

Ingredients
60ml peach purée
160ml Prosecco
Peach slice (garnish)

Method
You can buy peach purée but unless you’re a Bellini lover, you probably won’t have it in the cupboard. All you have to do is blend some peeled peaches until smooth and refrigerate. When it’s time to serve, strain into a flute, top up with Prosecco and gently stir. If you’ve got a peach left, of course a slice as garnish tops it all off!

Kir Real

Crème de Cassis is a gorgeous blackcurrant liqueur from Dijon in France and topping it up with a sparkling white gives you the Kir cocktail, created in 19th century France. Using Champagne instead creates the Kir Royale, but we’ve gone for Spanish Cava to create a much better value Kir Real. It requires the same time-consuming method as Champagne, there’s just more of it about! But it’s far closer a Champagne than something like a Prosecco so works great for this. Bubbly bite with juicy fruity sweetness! Fit for a royal indeed.

Ingredients
1 tbsp crème de cassis
Cava
Blackberry (optional garnish) 

Method
Nice and simple. Pour your crème de cassis into a Champagne flute and top up with Cava! A fresh or frozen blackberry or lemon twist makes a great garnish.

Rosé Aperol Spritz

Aperol Spritz was created in Italy and is now officially Germany’s favourite cocktail. If you want to inject some summery feeling into your festive season, or maybe you’re somewhere sunny for Christmas, then this Rosé version is there for you. The passion fruit juice is ideal for bridging the gap between the subtle bitterness of the Aperol and the fruity wine. The result is a fruitier, more refined Spritz that’s a very drinkable switch up. Who says it's just for summer?

Ingredients
50ml Aperol
75ml rosé
30ml soda
30ml passion fruit juice
Lime wedge (garnish)

 Method
Pop one ice cube in your glass and combine the Aperol with rosé. Top up with soda and juice, stirring gently to avoid breaking up the fizz, and then garnish with a lime wedge! Enjoy!  

The Golden Dram

Scotch cocktails can often be thought to be dark and moody affairs, but this unusual pairing with sparkling wine changes that. Combined with an Angostura-soaked sugar cube, you create a unique and refreshing cocktail that’s probably not quite like anything you’ve tasted before.

Ingredients
Angostura bitters-soaked sugar cube
25ml Scotch
100ml Prosecco

 Method

Drop a single sugar cube into your Champagne flute and soak with a couple of dashes of Angostura bitters. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then add Scotch before topping up to the top with Prosecco! Stir lightly to slowly dissolve the sugar and you’re all set.

Top Tip: If you like your cocktails sweeter, soak the sugar cube in a teaspoon of honey too!

Black Velvet

Legend goes that the Black Velvet was thought up by a London steward as Britain mourned the death of Queen Victoria’s husband Prince Albert in 1861. Whether that’s true or not, it certainly looks the part. Traditionally, it uses Champagne, but we’re using this opportunity to shout out Crémant. It’s a sparkling wine made using the same method as Champagne, and although it was once looked down upon, the current crop of Crémant producers have upped their game and it massively punches above its price point! You can find decent bottles for under £10, and still pull together a delightful Black Velvet that blends the bitter richness of Guinness, with the fizzing lightness of the wine.

Ingredients
100ml Guinness
100ml Crémant

 Method
Super simple apart from a drop of bartending technique. Fill half a Champagne flute with your crémant, and top up the rest with Guinness, pouring over the back of a spoon to achieve beautiful layering.

Rosé Bowler

This is an adaption of the Champagne bowler that dates back to the 1930s, but we’re going all out on the strawberries using rosé instead. The trio of grapes with brandy, dry white, and rosé provide a really interesting foundation for the muddled strawberries, and the good thing about this is, if you’ve picked up some berries that aren’t as sweet as you’d like, the rosé picks up the slack.

Ingredients
3 chopped strawberries
20ml brandy (preferably Cognac)
30ml dry white wine (like Chardonnay)
60ml rosé
Dash of syrup (optional)

 Method
Chop 3 strawberries and muddle them well in a shaker. Add your brandy, white wine and ice and shake well. Pour into your glass (without straining) and top up with Rosé.

Top Tip: We know winter strawberries can be a bit hit and miss, so if it’s still not sweet enough just re-introduce the syrup from the original Champagne recipe!

If you’re in the process of planning your Christmas offerings, then make sure to complete your set up with some Boozy Crackers that look stunning and taste delicious inside (the drinks inside that is, not the cracker itself).

And if you’re looking for the perfect Prosecco to make the above, take a look at our Best Proseccos for Under £15 here!

Words by Calum Ecroyd

The Best Drinks to Enjoy on Christmas Morning

Christmas morning is an exciting time, and if one is just getting going on the Christmas drinks there is a great deal of choice. From light, easy going drinks to ease you into Christmas gently, to drinks with a bit of a hit, to non-alcoholic beverages with lots of flavour, Christmas is a special time and therefore special drinks are needed. One’s normal morning orange juice might need a bit of a spruce up and the coffee might need a little kick. Whatever budget you are on this Christmas there should be something for everyone out there to make the day begin with a bang.

Classic Bucks Fizz/Mimosa

The classic morning drink for Christmas is orange juice with a little fizz in it. There are plenty of options for adding fizz to orange juice, from Cava, prosecco or Crémant to decadent Champagnes and even a little spirit should one need the extra pick me up.

Budget:

Vineyards Bucks Fizz

My first suggestion makes life very easy. One doesn’t even have to mix the drink oneself as it comes premixed and ready to pour. I’m not usually a fan of premixed drinks made from concentrates, but this little offering has managed to get the balance just right. Not too sweet or sharp it slips down nicely and would be a lovely way to start the day.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 4%
Find it here: £2.75

Tesco Cava Brut Non Vintage

If you have the orange juice and need a little something to add to it, I think this is excellent value. Cava has been much maligned in years gone by, and with good reason. The quality was a little lacking and this was represented by the super cheap deals. Cava is still a great deal less expensive than other sparkling wines, and I’d choose it over Prosecco for this drink. Cava has a little more body than Prosecco which will stand up to the acidity of the orange juice and give some wine flavours too. This example isn’t too heavy on the alcohol, but still has the flavour, and would make a great start to Christmas.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11.5%
Find it here: £5.85

Edenvale Sparkling Cuvee

No and low wines have until recently not been very good. Finally one comes along which is not expensive and still has lovely freshness and flavours. Made in Australia from Semillon grapes, it begins its life as a normal wine and then using a centrifuge, they remove the alcohol, but not the flavour. There are flavours of ripe apple, a touch of tropical fruit and a big dollop of lemon which will all mix nicely with orange juice.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 0.05%
Find it here: £4.99

Vinada Crispy Chardonnay

With no alcohol at all this is a very tasty sparkling wine. It is akin to an unoaked Chardonnay with lots of fruity flavours like apples, honeydew melon and citrus. Made as alternative to alcoholic wine, this sparkler is great for mixing with orange juice.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 0%
Find it here: £9.99

Mid Tier

Sipful Blood Orange Mimosa

Continuing on from budget ready-made drinks, for those of us who can’t be bothered to mix our own, is this brilliant offering from Sipful. Made with natural blood orange juice, and organic sparkling wine, it has zingy, zesty flavours which will certainly get go going and ready for the rest of the day.

Size: 4x250ml
ABV: 4.5%
Find it here: £14.45

Veuve Monsigny

Made by the Phillizot family whose top wines can be found in Michelin star restaurants around France, and made from all their own grapes, Veuve Monsigny can be found in Aldi and represents one of the best value Champagnes on the market. With a zesty yet smooth palate, and for drinking by itself best laid down for 6 months, this wine is great with orange juice and makes a very, very good Bucks Fizz. 

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find it here: £14.99

Blowout

At a blowout budget, there is often little point in mixing the great champagnes of the world with orange juice. Not only will it do the champagne down, but it will also not actually do the drink any good. Most big rich and complex champagnes will fight with, rather than compliment orange juice. For example, there are yeasty flavours in aged vintage Champagnes that will certainly not go with orange juice, but here are a few luxury options that do work.

Troo Pornstar Martini Cocktail

For a premixed drink, I would either buy the Sipful mentioned above or for a more luxurious experience the Troo Pornstar Martini is extremely good. As good as any made from fresh in a bar, this has passion fruit, premium vodka, passoa, freshly squeezed lime juice and their own vanilla infused sugar syrup. It’s a little punchy on the alcohol in the morning, but it will easily take being let down with extra passion fruit for a longer, well balanced Christmas morning drink.

 Size: 500ml
ABV: 19%
Find it here: £25

Mercier Brut

Mercier is a very overlooked Champagne outside of France, where they drink a lot of it and it is very well known. It’s an old Champagne house having been founded in 1858 and uses all three traditional grape varieties for Champagne. It has classic flavours of lemon and some biscuity flavours from its 2-3 years of aging on lees. In my opinion, it’s a champagne that is just as good if not better than many grand marque champagnes for a little less.

 Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find it here: £30.49

Old vintage Champagne doesn’t really suit a Bucks Fizz or Mimosa, however young vintage Champagne can do and this offering from Taittinger goes extremely well with orange juice. With huge amounts of complexity including peaches, lime, honeysuckle and orange blossom, the champagne is young enough not to have all the yeasty, biscuity flavours yet, so balances perfectly with the fruit juice. Definitely, a decadent way to start the festivities.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find it here: £57.95

Once awake and refreshed, it might be time to think about something to eat. There are some drinks that are a meal in themselves, and I can think of nothing better than a Bloody Mary. Head over to my next article to see what I recommend to drink mid-morning!

Words by Colin Hampden-White

How to Pair Cheese and Wine: Your Definitive Tasting Guide

Words by Jessica Summer, founder of Mouse & Grape and certified cheese and wine pairing expert.

Tasting cheese and wine is difficult and it takes time to learn how to identify the different flavours and aromas you are experiencing. When you first start, if all you are smelling and tasting is just cheese and wine that is okay, it takes practice! You have to train yourself to recognise flavours, the best way is to try different things and be mindful. Think what am I tasting? Why do I like it? It can also help to associate a specific memory with tasting a specific item of food which will help you remember how the food tastes, such as family holidays or romantic dinners!

When I run my tasting events I always recommend that my guests go with their first option on a flavour or aroma 99% of the time it is the correct one. When you over analyse and second guess yourself is where it goes wrong, trust your instincts! Before we dive into my favourite cheese and wine pairings recommendations I am going to explain the Mouse & Grape tasting system so you can fully experience the joy of pairing cheese and wine together.

I would always recommend starting with your wine first and tasting it on its own, then trying the cheese on its own and lastly, (the best bit!) enjoying them together. The approach to tasting wine and cheese is very similar. In both cases, you need to pay attention to the look, smell and flavours as well as the feel of the cheese.

How do you pair cheese and wine?

To experience the best flavours in your cheese and wine I would recommend avoiding strongly flavoured food and drink such as coffee before you taste as this will affect your ability to taste simple and complex flavours. It is useful to have good palate cleansers to hand. These include water, bread, crackers and apples to use between trying different combinations. Cheese and wine must both be served at the correct temperature to allow them to reach their most delicious potential. Different wines should be served at different temperatures. Typically white, rosé and sparkling wines are served chilled. Reds are typically served lightly chilled or at room temperature. It’s important to remove your cheese from the fridge, and its wrapping, 1-2 hours before serving. If your cheese is still cold when it is served, its flavour will be dulled. 

THE LOOK

Wine: Hold your glass at an angle to identify the colour and the intensity. Is it white (lemon, golden or amber), red (purple, ruby or garnet) or pink (salmon or orange)? Pale, medium, or deep colour? Is it clear or cloudy? For the best results, examine your wine held against a white piece of paper and in bright natural light.

Cheese: Every cheese tells a story through its appearance so take a moment to look closely at the cheese. Examine the colours of both the exterior (the rind) and the interior (the paste). What type of cheese is it? Hard, soft or blue? Are the colours of the paste consistent and even throughout the piece? Look at the texture of the rind - are there any bumps, cracks, patterns or coloured moulds? Does the cheese have holes or salt crystals? Compare the centre of the cheese to the cheese next to the rind: what are the differences, or are they the same? Cheese loves to grow mould, so if your cheese has spent some time in the fridge you may find some surface mould has developed. Simply trim a thin layer off the surface – the cheese beneath will still taste exquisite. On the subject of mould, artisan cheeses can look very different to supermarket cheese: the cheesemakers focus on flavour over appearance. For example the goat’s cheese Rachel is washed regularly in a brine solution as the cheese matures. This gives it a pinky/grey rind with occasional orange and yellow spots which are naturally occurring and safe to eat. 

THE AROMA

Wine: Put your nose a little way into the glass and take a big inhale, the deeper the better! What does the wine smell like? Don’t worry if at first you can’t smell much, you’ll quickly be able to identify more aromas with practice. First identify broad categories (like berries) then try to pinpoint the aroma (blackberries). You may smell: fruits, such as green apples, pears, cherries or blackcurrant; spices such as cinnamon or vanilla; earthy smells like soil, grass, hay; or woody aromas like oak, pine, or cedar. Now swirl the wine in your glass. This will introduce more oxygen to the wine, which will increase the flavour intensity. Can you detect the existing aromas more strongly, or even notice new aromas?

Cheese: There are a few similarities in the way we describe wine and cheese flavours. Both can have aromas that are lactic, earthy, grassy, nutty or floral. Pick up the cheese and bring it to your nose to take a big sniff. Some cheeses like Époisse or Roquefort will be easy to smell! What can you smell? Cheeses can smell animally, yeasty or mouldy. Can you smell grass or flowers? Can you smell a “farmyard” smell? 

THE TEXTURE

Wine: Take a small sip of your wine but don’t swallow it yet! Let it sit on your tongue and warm the wine making it easier to detect. Then gently swish it around your mouth to get the full effect. Ask yourself:

• What is the mouthfeel like (water, semi-skimmed milk or creamy)?

• Is your mouth filled with saliva (telling us the wine is high in acid)?

• Is the wine creating a drying sensation in the mouth thanks to tannins?

Cheese: The texture of cheese plays an important role in the evaluation of it. Take a small crumb of the cheese you are tasting and rub it between two fingers. Notice how easily (or not) it smears. Take a small bite, and let it sit on your tongue for a moment. Notice how firm or soft the cheese feels. As it warms up it will soften a little more. Now slowly and mindfully chew it. Is it soft and pliable? Does it melt in your mouth? Is it a hard cheese that breaks down into small chunks as you chew? Does the cheese coat the inside of your mouth?

THE FLAVOUR

Wine: Take a second sip and employ the “slurp” technique to aerate the wine (sucking air past your front teeth with the wine on your tongue). This will help you notice the flavours more easily. Ask yourself:

• What flavours do you taste? 

• Can you taste the aromas you detected or have they changed?

• Is the wine sweet, tart or bitter?

• Are any elements standing out in a bad way, meaning the wine is unbalanced? (Acidity, tannin or sugar, for example?)

• Swallow the wine and breathe out. Do the flavours change?

• Do they linger or do they disappear quickly? This is known as the “finish”. Great wines have a pleasant finish that lingers and does not vanish quickly.

Cheese: When tasting the cheese for the first time think ‘less is more’ and take a small bite which will be easier for you to move around your mouth. Let it sit in your mouth for 5-10 seconds which is enough time for the cheese to warm up and release more powerful flavours making them easier to detect. The flavours in cheeses change and evolve the longer you keep them in your mouth. You may notice that a cheese might start being very salty but as you continue to chew it becomes sweeter and the diary flavours are more pronounced.

How to taste cheese and wine together

Pairing is the art of bringing two or more ingredients together to create a more delicious outcome. The best way to discover outstanding pairings is through trial and error, and sometimes great pairings can come from the most unlikely of combinations. It is important to remember that taste is subjective. I might love a wine, cheese or pairing but it might not be for you. For this reason, all Mouse & Grape hampers feature exceptional quality cheeses and wines that can be enjoyed on their own too, and I always add other pairing recommendations and recipes for you to try. Part of the fun is to discover your palate and experiment and try different combinations to find your ultimate cheese and wine pairings. That being said, there are cheese and wine combinations that I have put together in the Mouse & Grape hampers and tasting events that people love and I am excited to share some of the most popular ones with you here. 

First, take a sip of wine and work through the Mouse & Grape tasting system above. Then use a palate cleanser and do the same with the cheese. Then take a bite of cheese and hold it in your mouth as you take a sip of wine and chew them together. 

Ask yourself the following questions: 

• What flavours can I taste with them together?

• Is either the wine or the cheese flavour dominant?

• Is this combination more or less enjoyable than the cheese and wine alone?

When you are pairing cheese and wine together, you are either looking for two contrasting flavours which bring out the best in both such as the classic contrasting flavours of sweet and salt, or you are looking for a cheese and wine with similar flavour profile which will complement one another without overpowering creating a harmonious balance bringing out the best in both. One example of the former pairing would be Sauternes and Roquefort. A stunning example of the latter is 2 Year Aged Gouda with a Saint Émilion Grand Cru (the pairing combinations from the Mouse & Grape Old & Bold Christmas Hamper). Both the cheese and wine have big bold flavours which complement one another and don’t overpower. I love how the salt crystals in the cheese bring out the fruitiness in the wine. Another great example is Truffle Brie with Champagne, which can be found in the Mouse & Grape Ultimate Christmas Hamper. The high fat content in the brie coats your mouth in gooey goodness and then the refreshing sharp ultra-fine bubbles of the sparkling wine cleanse the palate and set you up for another bite! The rich creamy, mushroomy flavour of the truffle brie is complemented beautifully by the toasty notes in the champagne - a match made in heaven! 

What are the best cheese and wine pairings?

Following my two pairing rules above, below are a selection of my favourite cheese and wine pairing combinations for you to try:

Sparkling Wines
Champagne: Aged Comté or Colston Bassett Stilton - a combination you can find in the Mouse & Grape Luxury Christmas Hamper
Cava: Manchego or other hard sheep milk cheese like Berkswell or Cora Linn
Prosecco: Burrata, Mozzarella or feta, I particularly like the Blackwood Cheese Graceburn
English Sparkling wine: Creamy soft cheeses like Hampshire cheese co Winslade or Tunworth.

White Wines
Sauvignon Blanc: Ash - coated goats cheeses like Valencay, Norton and Yarrow Brightwell Ash or Sainte Maure De Touraine - a combination from the Mouse & Grape classic Christmas Hamper.
Verdejo: Hard goats cheeses like White lake Dairy Rachel - you can find this delicious combination in the Mouse & Grape Eliza Hamper
Soave: With washed-rind cheeses like Taleggio or Nettlebed Creamery Highmore
Oaked Chardonnay: Eppoisé or  Maida Vale made by Village Maid Cheese

Red Wines
Bordeaux Blend: Keen’s Cheddar - found in the Mouse & Grape Old and Bold Christmas Hamper
Pinot Noir: Saint Nectaire, Tomme De Savoire, truffle pecorino
Rioja: Appenzeller, Gruyere, Aged Comté
Sangiovese: Pecorino Sardo, Gorgonzola Naturale or Beauvale - a British cheese made in a similar style.

Rosé
South of France pale Rosé: Goats cheeses like Perroche, Sinodun Hill or Golden Cross
English Rosé: lactic cow’s milk cheeses like Cornish Yarg or Mrs Kirkhams Lancashire

Sweet wines
Sauternes: Roquefort or Époisses
Moscato d’Asti: Gorgonzola Dolce or Flor Di Langa
Tokaji: Fourme D’Ambert or Cote Hill Blue
Port: Stilton or Durrus

Jessica Summer is the founder of Mouse & Grape and a certified cheese and wine pairing expert. Mouse and Grape is a luxury online cheese and wine business that specialises in perfectly paired cheese and wine hampers, a cheese and wine subscription service, and corporate and private tasting events. Jessica is a cheese and wine writer and was a judge at The British Cheese Awards 2022, a finalist at the World Cheese Awards Young Cheesemonger of the Year Competition 2022, and a wine judge at this year's people’s choice drinks awards.

Using my knowledge, tasting experience and qualifications I select the best quality wines and cheeses to curate the ultimate cheese and wine pairing hampers and tasting events. I have drawn upon my experience in the industry to write this guide and I am excited to share my cheese and wine pairing secrets with you! In my opinion, cheese and wine has to be the most iconic and well suited pairing combination in the food and drinks world. Biting into one's favourite piece of cheese or sipping a beloved wine is already a very pleasurable experience but when you combine these heavenly flavours together you reach optimum indulgence and maximum enjoyment!

If you have any cheese and wine questions, would like to book Jessica for an event or try one of her mouth-watering cheese and wine hampers contact her through the website or on Instagram! 

Five Perfect Food Pairings for Argentinian Malbec

This article is brought to you by Graffigna Genuine Collection Reserve Malbec from the exceptional Uco Valley. With more than 150 years of history, Graffigna is the 3rd oldest winery in Argentina.

Argentinian Malbec is loved all around the world for its comfortingly full body, velvety texture and notes of chocolate dipped, ripe berries. We’re finally getting our heads around Argentinian Malbec in this country and realising that there are different styles to enjoy, even from within the most famous region itself: Mendoza. The vertiginous Uco Valley there produces more concentrated, aromatic and mineral styles of Malbec than the sweeter and more fruit forward styles from the warmer plains. Here are some classic Argentinian Malbec and food pairing ideas: 

Malbec & Meat

Tender cuts of grilled meats and steak are always a go-to pairing for any Malbec, but it can take on some more interesting flavours too. Don’t be afraid to do your beef ribs with barbecue sauce or go full on decadence with a venison wellington. It can handle it, especially the more concentrated, bolder styles of Malbec. Fruit and meat can be a wonderful match as well, so don’t discount your tagines either, especially with prunes. Younger, fruiter, lighter styles of Malbec work very nicely with duck and plum sauce too. 

Malbec & Vegetables

Malbec loves a vegetable, especially if it’s grilled or has a hint of bitterness or juiciness about it. Earthy beetroot is a surprisingly good pairing, whereas any kind of mushroom is a more natural choice. Roasted peppers can sing with Malbec as can baked aubergines and moussaka. Fruity, young Malbecs often fit the bill a little better than heavily oaked, older versions here.

Malbec & Fish

Fish is a trickier match with Malbec, but if you are going to pair them, aim for something grilled, smoked or barbecued like halibut or smoked eel. Malbec can handle fattier, fleshier fish too though, especially if in a fruity, sweet sauce. Try teriyaki salmon or grilled swordfish with a mango sauce. 

Malbec & Cheese

Aged Gouda is a great match for an Uco Valley Malbec, like Graffigna Reserve. The moreish salt crystals bring out the fruit and the tangy, nuttiness of the cheese seems to enhance the baking spice and chocolate notes too. It’s a harmonious match where the result is greater than the sum of its parts! Also try an extra mature Cheddar, which would work well with either a high altitude, heavyweight Malbec or a fruitier one. If you can find it, Provolone also makes a classic Argentinian dish called Provoleta, where it’s warmed up to melt and go deliciously gooey.

Malbec & Chocolate

Dry wine and chocolate are not generally happy bedfellows, as the fat in the chocolate can strip fruit from the wine and leave it tasting metallic or dull. Very dark chocolate however, is another matter. Try a bittersweet, 70% plus dark chocolate with a particularly fruity Malbec so you’re not left with a mouth full of tannin. For more concentrated Malbec, chocolate truffles are an absolute winner. 

Which Malbec Should I Try?

If you’re looking for the perfect bottle of Malbec to pair with these delicious dishes, try Graffigna Genuine Collection Reserve Malbec, (£9 from Sainsburys £7.50 when on promotion).

Want to get to know the story of Malbec? Check out this article! Want to take a deep dive into more wine and cheese matching? Take a look at this one.

The Best Bubbles to Pop this Festive Season

With the near constant flow of food from nibbles to feasts to desserts, a delicious sparkling wine is perfect for cutting through Christmastime and providing the crisp refreshment required. Without further ado, here’s a selection of our most eye-catching fizzes, from supermarket marvels to sublime top tier magic! Let’s pop those corks!

The Best Budget Sparkling Wine (£10 and Under)

Sainsbury's Cava Brut

Cava is made using the same method as Champagne, but with Spanish grapes like Paradella, Macabeo and Xarel-lo which creates a more tropical and savoury profile than Champagne. Some see it as less refined but when it comes down to value, Cava is king. Those three grapes all go into this Cava Brut, which is aged for at least nine months creating bold zesty citrus aromas. It feels super fresh and vibrant, with a particularly lovely green apple flavour running through it. Try it with any fish from smoke salmon to good old fish and chips.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 1.5%
Find here: £5.85

ALDI’s Specially Selected Cremant Du Jura

You may not be familiar Crémant but it’s a sparkling wine made in the exact same way as Champagne outside the Champagne region, and the production quality of it has improved dramatically over recent decades. This bottle is fabulously light and refreshing, exactly what you need when feasting over the festive period. It lacks the creamy feel of a typical Crémant, but has a bolder combination of fruits, with citrussy lemon and grapefruit, and green apples and pears. If you’re fed up with Prosecco then this is a must try!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%    
Find here: £8.99

Sainsbury's Pignoletto Brut

Pignoletto derives from ‘pigna’ meaning pinecone because of the tight grape clusters on the vine and has similarities with Prosecco. Made using the Grechetto grapes of Umbria, this is drier than a usual Prosecco and similar to the Crémant above, has the pear and apple combination alongside citrusy notes. The real reward here is the refreshment of the fizz and the bright and crisp flavours that make it extremely quaffable indeed.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11%
Find here: £7 (usually £9!)

Tesco Finest 1531 Blanquette De Limoux

If you were on the hunt for sparkling wine in 1531, this would be your only option because Blanquette de Limoux is the oldest sparkling wine in the world! Mauzac and Chenin grapes blend and age in the bottle for a year to create this light sparkling wine full of complex flavours of peach flesh and green apple. There’s a really pleasant soft acidity and interesting toasted brioche finish too. It really gives the more expensive wines and Champagnes a run for their money.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £9.50

Sainsbury's Crémant De Loire

This is another fantastic value option from Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference range, and one that’s picked up some serious gongs. Mostly Chenin Blanc with a touch of Chardonnay, it’s a dry fizz with heaps of richness and refreshment from cleansing chalky apple flavours down to the Loire Valley soils. This zesty rich combination is a winning one, and so easy to drink as a result. Bravo to the producer Bouvet Ladubay!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £10 (usually £12!)

Sainsbury's Cremant d’Alsace

From the same collection is Cremant d’Alsace. Cave du Roi Dagobert are renowned in the Alsace region and produce this in the traditional method where it spends over a year bottle aging. It’s rich and creamy as a result, with buttery brioche flavours. Running alongside that too is a vibrant freshness from orchard fruits and luxurious lemon curd notes, completing an extremely well-rounded fizz for the price point. It’s perfect for any celebration and would pair really nicely with smoked salmon.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £12

The Best Mid-Tier Sparkling Wine (£10-£29.99)

Graham Norton’s Own Prosecco DOC NV

Chat show king Graham Norton has brought to us a stunning Prosecco, opting for a classic ‘Extra Dry’ style which means it’s lovely and sweet as well as being sublimely light. Citrus and white flower aromas fill your nose, and the finish is refreshingly crisp to boot. It’s a fantastic conversation starting party fizz!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11.2%
Find here: £12

Invivo X Unity Prosecco Rosé

This is another bottle that has a link to Graham Norton, albeit indirectly. It’s the official wine of the Eurovision Song Contest and will be served at Liverpool next year! This Venetian wine feels suitably glam and celebratory too, with fresh strawberries on the nose and a lovely blend of green apple, orange and lemon filling the palate. A really feel good fizz for Christmas.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £12

Cave de Turkheim Crémant d'Alsace

Another delicious Crémant for the money here, standing out for its perfumed pink grapefruit and lychee, as well as a characterful tartness not always found in similar bottles. Delicate bubbles, super dry and silky smooth, this is a lovely introduction to Champagne alternatives.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £13.49

Castel Fagila Franciacorta Extra Brut

In the heart of the Franciacorta area of Calino, Castel Faglia opt for small garden-like pots rather than sprawling vineyards, bringing out different aromas to usual. Fresh fruit invites you in on the nose, and the following palate is super dry, with surprising structure and lively acidity. Think fresh toasted almonds and aromatic spice underlined with subtle citrus. Satisfying and well worth a try!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £15.50

Tissot-Maire Blanc de Noirs Cremant du Jura Brut

Sheltered in the mountains of the vineyard corridor between Burgundy and Switzerland is the Jura wine region. Maison Tissot-Maire in Arbois is the merger of two expert winemaking families making elegant wines like this. Using mainly Pinot Noir, wildflowers and ripe berries come through on the nose, before a fresh and powerful mouthfeel that has a strong mineral core. Redcurrant and spice fig show themselves amongst the fine bubbles for a stunning food-friendly wine.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £15.95

Graham Beck Blanc de Blancs 2017/18

Graham Beck and South African fizz have been going hand in hand since the 1990s, picking up award after award along the way using the traditional ‘Methode Cap Classique’ sparkling winemaking method. The Blanc de Blancs uses night picked Chardonnay for extra freshness, with in-your-face green aromas of lime, apple, and pear. It’s biscuity-rich, with notes of brioche and a special feel of indulgence. Put simply, it’s one of the best. Suitably magical for this special time of year.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £19.99

Tesco Finest Rose Champagne

Tesco brings us this wine in partnership with Union Champagne, a cooperative of 2000 winegrowers, 60% of whose land is Grand Cru rated, so you can be assured that the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes in this are top notch. It’s super dry with invigorating citrus and red fruits before a very delicate mousse finish. Definitely pop this bubbly when you’re bringing out any fruity desserts!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £24

The Best Top End Sparkling Wine (£30+)

Champagne Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve

Well, the top end was always going to include Champagne wasn’t it? In particular, this is a rich and weighty expression picking up a number of major awards. It’s ripe, it’s biscuity, it’s dense with mature fruit and a lively acidity cuts through with surgical precision. The average age of the Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier is a decade, with the younger additions bringing freshness, and the elders that complexity and spice. Full-bodied bubbly that oozes class and is a joy to explore.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £46

Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2018

You don’t need fluent French to identify ‘blanc de blancs’ as ‘white from white’ meaning white wine from white grapes. In the world of Champagne, this equates to the exclusive inclusion of Chardonnay grapes, and the same applies to English Sparkling wines. This bottle happens to be both. Gusbourne is a massive name in luxury English wine as it continues to win gong after gong. 2018 conditions left the Kentish fruits in fabulous condition, creating a wonderfully layered flavour. Riper notes of nectarines and clementines float above characterful green apples, whilst alluring lemon sherbet and pink grapefruit slice through. The creamy texture bows out for a toasted nut and brioche finish that really drives home. A benchmark British sparkling wine for sure. We love it.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £46

Rare Champagne Millésime 2008

We’ve touched on Charles Heidsieck, and now it’s Piper Heidsieck which originated in 1777. The first ambassador of their Champagne? Marie Antoinette no less. Since then, Piper Heidsieck drew connections with Old Hollywood and is one of the most prestigious, technologically advanced and well-funded houses around. In short, the Millésime Rare is absolutely delicious and very special indeed. 70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir, all grapes were sourced from Grand Cru villages. Delicate apricot pastry and orange zest tease the nose before the magic reveals itself. Pronounced vanilla tangles with fizzing fruitiness – pineapple, blood orange and a comforting continuation of patisserie flavours. Majesty and elegance to match the price tag and for any sparkling wine lover, this guarantees a magical Christmas treat.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £194

Refreshing, and light, we love Christmas fizz but variety is the spice of life, so if you want some reds, whites or even gins to complete your festive cupboards, we’ve scrutinised and deliberated to come up with our end of year best recommendations! Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

Words by Calum Ecroyd

The 20 Best Red Wines for Christmas 2022

We’ve been spoilt for choice when it comes to top-class red wine this year, whether that be £5 gems on supermarket shelves, mid-tiers packing a punch or precision excellence at the top end.

We’ve narrowed it down to the 20 eye-catchers that have that extra special something you need to try. They’re perfect for the magic of the festive season, whether that’s gifting or sipping away yourself! Without further ado, we’ll begin with some beautiful bottles you can easily find in your local supermarket...

Best Budget Red Wine Under £10

Mimo Moutinho Lisboa

Mimo Moutinho Lisboa continues the trend of Portuguese wine representing top notch value. Brimming with brambly, black and redcurrant spice, it’s bold and well worth trying if you want something a little different to usual. For under a fiver, it’s fantastic. Drink it with gamey meats, you’ll be surprised!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £4.49 Aldi

Tilting Tree Merlot

Velvety soft and delightfully easy drinking, Merlot is the Michael Bublé of wines. Bursting with aromas of sweet cherry, this bottle from the Asconi Winery in Moldova is refined beyond its price. It feels light on its feet with juicy plum flavour and a tantalising touch of eucalyptus too. Forget White Christmas, it’s Red Christmas at this price!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £5 Coop

Monte Plogar Cariñena Reserva

Six years aged, with leathery spice and tangy notes of tobacco leaf, this dry Spanish Rioja hails from the Cariñena region of the country, an area that is lesser known, hence the price. Rioja can easily be overpriced, so this is particularly good value and crying out to pair up with a leg of lamb or roast chicken. A crowd pleaser and wallet pleaser all in one!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £5.49 Lidl

Piccodoro Nero D'avola

There’s more fantastic value here with this stunning sipper from the gorgeous island of Sicily. It’s rich, rustic and figgy with comforting notes of cocoa, dark ripe cherries, and warm baking spice - a hug from the Italian nonna you never knew you had! All in all, it’s a tremendously food-friendly Nero d’Avola that’s perfect with pizza, or even richer stews and meats.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £5.75 Tesco

Dark Horse Malbec

Dark Horse is a fantastically rich and full-bodied red that shows what Californian Malbec has to offer. Plush and velvety, it’s bursting with juicy plums and blackberries, and a welcome hint of spice underneath. This will be a winner with most of your festive feasts, in particular pork and lamb and roasted veg! Nom!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £7 ASDA (usually £8.50!)

Graffigna Reserve Malbec

If you haven’t tried Graffigna Malbec yet this year, then this Christmas is the perfect time. From the Uco Valley in Argentina, it’s elegant, rich, and chocolatey with fruit forward notes of blueberry balanced by a crack of black pepper. For its price point, it’s an absolute steal!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £7.50 Sainsbury’s (usually £9!)

Best Mid-Tier Red Wine

Luigi Bosca Pinot Noir

Argentinian wines usually provide good value in the UK, and few more so than this Pinot from Mendoza. Lively in the mouth, this bright ruby red feels light and fresh, with subtle toasts from French oak ageing. It has a defined but delicate character, with black fruit notes playing off hints of smoke and spice simultaneously. Masterfully crafted, it’s a reflection of the heritage of the Bosca vineyard that’s still family run today. A go to with any seafood over the festive season.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.2%
Find here: £15.30 Vinvm

Orovela Saperavi 2015 Kakheti

The mind doesn’t jump to Georgia when we think of wine, but maybe that’s going to change? Waitrose have uncovered this Saperavi from Kakheti, one of the oldest wine-growing regions in the world. The vines that go into this unusual fruit-forward red are between 13-30 years of age and present tonnes of structure. It’s intense and brooding, with generous notes of cedar, meadow berries and chalky cocoa, all swimming in subtly spicy plum sauce. Autumn in a bottle, and a limited production apparently so be quick!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £16.99 Waitrose

Bodegas Arzuaga Navarro Laderas del Norte 2020

Say hello to the winner of Best Red Over £10 at the Wines From Spain Awards 2022. This is the first wine from Finca Valdesardon (Valdesardon Estate), a single organic vineyard in the heart of Ribera del Duero region. There’s characterful red fruits to be enjoyed, as well as curious balsamic tones, freshly brewed coffee and toasted notes from the 12 months in French oak. A vineyard to keep an eye on that’s for sure.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: €17.90

Clarendelle Bordeaux Inspired By Haut-Brion 2016

Haut-Brion inspired Clarendelle’s 2016 release is a benchmark Bordeaux with aromas of blackcurrants and red fruits tangling with floral overtones. Largely Merlot, there’s enough acidity to be surprisingly refreshing and with the silky-smooth tannins, it creates a mightily impressive blend.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: UK £19.99 Laithwaites // US $24.99

Susana Balbo Signature Malbec

The ultimate introduction to quality Malbec from the most renowned female winemaker in Argentina, Susana Balbo. This is a beautiful bottle with a deep violet hue, revealing glorious aromas of bundled blackberry, black cherry, and blueberry, all framed by touches of minty spice. Toasted vanilla and juicy plum flavours follow before a luxuriating velvety finish. Lovely.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: UK £22 Good Wine Online // US $24.99

 Talbott 'Kali Hart' Pinot Noir 2017/18, Monterey

Next up is this sublime, silky-smooth Pinot from the Kali Hart using the coveted cool-climate Santa Lucia Highlands in Monterey. These conditions create extremely concentrated grapes with a lively acidity and great flavour, perfect for Cali Pinot Noir. The vibrant red berried palate is dying to be served with Christmas Turkey, and the depth with oak, spice and minerality, alongside soft tannins, will keep you sipping all night long.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: £24.99 Majestic

Pinot Noir, Josten & Klein Vom Schiefer, 2018

Germany is underrated for Pinot Noir, or ‘Spätburgunder’ and actually produces the most after France and the U.S, with a steady flow of light, elegant and expressive creations... just like this! There’s luxuriating cherry chocolate flavour, but it doesn’t get bogged down so for a wine with so much depth and complexity, there’s an appealing lightness. A glass of this alongside a gluttonous Christmas Dinner and life’s good.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £23.50 The Good Wine Shop

Best Top End Red Wine

La Fiorita Rosso di Montalcino

This is the definition of an easy-drinking red using 100% Tuscan Sangiovese. The nose is somewhat mysterious in its delicacy, with faint pine. On taste, the expressive palate opens up with fruity black cherry and raspberry mixing with herbal notes and pepper. It’s medium bodied with silky light tannins and a bright finish you’ll want to come back to over and over. Stunning!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: UK £31.90 Hedonism // US $68.99

Boot Hill Pinot Noir, 2020 Gusbourne

Simply put, this is a classic Pinot, but expertly crafted. There are wild raspberries and red cherries on the nose and it treats you to such a smooth mouthfeel with all the plump red fruits you expect, and a grounding earthy minerality to complete the balance. Seriously well put together and fantastic alongside a roasted chicken with trimmings galore.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £35 Gusbourne

J Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

Nicole Hitchcock at J Vineyards focuses on cool-climate varieties in the sunny Russian River Valley, where many of the top American Pinots originate from – this is one such classic example. Notes of blueberry, raspberry and dark cherries fill out the flavour with just the right balance of oak and cocoa in support in what is by all accounts, an expertly crafted, moreish, and supremely well-rounded premium liquid. Bravo! Pair it with something along the lines of pork tenderloin with rosemary and apple, or even a goats cheese with spiced cherry!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.3%
Find here: UK £29.99 Vivino (usually £34.95!) // US $39.99

Chateau d'Esclans 2020 Rosé

A little step away from reds for a second here but what an incredible gift for any rosé lover this would be, one of the world’s greatest from a top producer slap bang in the heart of the Côtes de Provence. The carefully selected grapes are sorted electronically and manually several times over before they undergo a Burgundian style process, receiving a twice weekly stir in large oak barrels for 10 months, adding incredible structure and richness to the wine. Pure on the nose, it's weighty with vibrant peach and redcurrant and the beguiling combination of crisp acidity and creamy texture is so easy to love. Class. In. A. Glass.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £29.95 Fine Wine Direct (usually £50!!!)

Orin Swift Palermo Cabernet Sauvignon

Brace yourself for a delicious Cab with oomph. Cabernet, alongside Chardonnay helped put Napa Valley and Californian wine on the map in the 1970s, and they’ve only got better. Full-bodied and bold, this is a long journey of wine, bursting with berries to begin, and finishing with mellower notes of chocolate, leather, and even tea leaf. Give it some air to sing and you’re away! Any grilled or barbequed meats and get this cracked open. It’s utterly glorious... and dangerously moreish!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 15.5%
Find here: UK £59.95 Vivino // US $68.99

Tenuta di Arceno Arcanum Toscana 2015

We’re really into the higher price points now where any wines have to really prove their worth, and this wonder certainly does because it’s one of the best we’ve had the joy of experiencing. The ultimate dreamy date-night Tuscan red, it’s an Italian French love affair with rich tannins and magically intense dark fruits. These seductively tangle with indulgent dark chocolate, ripe cherries, raspberries rolled in black pepper and dark, juicy plums. So much has been experienced before the embracing finish of cherry compote and warming cedar spice that echoes and echoes in the mouth. Pure romance, pure excellence. Save this special wine for an equally special night and you won’t be disappointed!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: UK £90 // US $79.99

Siepi 2020, Toscana

Castello di Fonterutoli has been a stopping off point between Florence and Siena for over a thousand years, where everyone from traders to Emperors paused for refreshment. It’s in the heart of Chianti Classico and has been owned by the Mazzei family since 1435! In the 80s (very recent history for them!), they planted Merlot beside Sangiovese in their very particular terroir and this inky blend of both was born. It’s stunningly elegant, powerful, and complex. The aromatics of lavender, cloves, and mocha dance seamlessly, melding with brambly blue fruits, leather, and graphite with precision. There are dried herbs and spices, creaminess, and agile liveliness, it has everything. Divinely beautiful, and a magical experience for the drinker.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: £94

Maybe you’re more into bubbles or whites when it comes to wine. Well, relax because we’ve got you covered there! If it’s spirits you want to check out next though, then we’ve got gifting ideas for gin, vodka, tequila and rum waiting for you too.

Words by Calum Ecroyd

Perfect White Wine to Pair with Christmas Food

We’ve been hard at ‘work’ popping corks on the very best white wines at each price point in the run up to Christmas, and these are the crème de la crème.

Richer reds and Champagne are usually more associated with the festivities, but a White (wine) Christmas is much lighter and just as delicious, especially with the inevitable feasting weighing you down!

Perfect for seafood in particular, but also roasts, dive in and discover which delightful bottle to stock in your cupboard this Christmas.

Best Budget White Wine for Christmas

Amandla 'Our Future' Sauvignon Blanc

This is a new South African black-owned brand from one of the rising female stars in winemaking, Pray Dlamini, who hand picks grapes from the Western Cape and blends this zesty sunshine Chardonnay herself. It’s bursting with ripe and tropical notes. Think passion fruit, pineapple, and lemon. Food friendly too, look to serve this alongside fish or lighter chicken and pork meals.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £9 Sainsbury’s

Andrew Peace Chardonnay 2021

Back in 1980, Jim Peace found himself disenchanted with the rat race in Melbourne and when he passed a vineyard for sale, fate intervened, and he never looked back. His son is now chief winemaker at the cooler climate Victoria vineyard, releasing quality like this. It’s a soft marshmallow Chardonnay with subtle melon and a refreshing splash of citrus from the touch of Semillon included. It’ll sit nicely with any fish you’re cooking over the festive season, as well as softer, creamier cheeses. Elegant beyond the price tag!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £6 Coop

Adnams Muscadet 2021

Muscadet is a wine from decades gone by that’s been making a resurgence, with its clean, bone-dry neutrality proving very desirable. The grape itself here is Melon de Bourgogne but don’t be fooled into assuming this is from Burgundy as a result, it’s actually the stunning Loire Valley (confusing we know). It has the classic earthy, fleshy white peach and super refreshing nature you want from a Muscadet, and it’s just the ticket for shellfish!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £8.99 Lidl

Morrisons The Best Marques de los Rios Rioja Blanco

Fabulous value here with a white Rioja produced in partnership with Bodegas Eguia in Rioja Alavesa south of Bilbao. There’s a lot going on and an awful lot to love with waxy lemon rind notes, vanilla, ripe pear, a touch of sweet spice and some texture from the part aging in French oak. An easy drinking winner with roast chicken or turkey.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £7 Morrisons

Tesco Finest Albarino del Rey 2021

Using Albariño Grapes from Spain's Rias Baixas, this is exactly the kind of elegance we’ve come to expect from the region. Apricot aromas make way for a lovely lemon meringue pie feel, with zinging zesty citrus and comforting weight to it. It’s simply a superb white for under the £10 mark. Make it sing with hard cheese or fleshy fish.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £9.50 Tesco

Prima Luna Frascati

This Frascati is a cheap and extremely cheerful thirst-quenching wine. If you’re a fan of Pinot Grigio, then this has a touch more character with green apple hints and citrus notes, before a touch of bitter almond on the finish. It’s seriously solid for under £6. Give it a whirl with fish, or cold chicken at the Boxing Day buffet perhaps.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £5.75 Tesco

Caves des Roches Cotes de Gascogne 2021

If you’re drawn to Kiwi Sauvignon then this is one for you. A vibrant wine from Gascony in Southwest France, it carries tropical vibes with ripe grapefruit and juicy guava, culminating in a crisp finish. At 11% and £5, being this moreish isn’t too much of a problem!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11%
Find here: £5.25 Tesco

Co-op Irresistible Viognier 2021

‘Irresistible’ is spot on. This is serious Viognier with a classic profile of hefty weight, sweet peach and apricotty grape. This honeyed flavour is balanced by zingy acidity heightening the freshness. Really, this should be priced into double figures, but let’s hope they don’t because this is Helena’s house white! Any seafood and salads, pour this out.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £8 Coop

Co-op Irresistible Marsanne 2021

Jean-Claude is one of the star winemakers of the Languedoc and the brains behind this is fantastically put together perky white expressing the Marsanne grape in all its glory. It can be a tough wine to get right, hence why Marsanne is often blended with others to taper it but this is spot on. Think of ripe fruits like peach and pear as well as honey, all countered by a refreshing acidity that keeps you coming back for more. If you like the Viognier above, chances are this is worth picking up too!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £8 Coop

Perelada Només Garnatxa Blanca 2021

White Garnacha (Grenache) is on the up big time and hailing from the region of Empordà in Spain, this is a pure and great embodiment of that. Think weighty, fleshy, creamy white wine with notes of a curiously sweet hit of melon, vanilla, baked apple and white chocolate. This will be just as at home with nuts and cheeses as it will be with poultry – super versatile.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £11.95 Lekker Wines

Best Mid-Tier White Wine for Christmas

Adnams North Otago Chardonnay

With mountains all around, the Waitaki Valley hotbed of wine sits on the river of the same name on the idyllic North Otago, New Zealand. Nestled here is the family-run Forrest estate, growing grapes in white limestone soils with river gravel for mineral rich growth. This is a limited-edition Chardonnay that feels delightfully rich with a toasty, savoury feel. Popcorn and spice show themselves, alongside ripe fruit in a powerful white that is both creamy and chalky. Any meaty fish in rich sauces, this is your bottle.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £19.99 Adnams

Petit Chablis, Vielles Vignes, Domaine Dampt et Fils

The village of Chablis may be tiny, but its reputation and fame is anything but. Petits Chablis uses soils from just outside the area of the top Chablis wines, but with the Dampt estate employing the exact same standards when making it, you wouldn’t notice. The flavours are surprisingly concentrated and beautifully so, with earthy leafiness and chalky feel offsetting melon notes and a touch of noisette. Crisp, clean, well-balanced, and well-rounded – fantastic fundamentals. We think it’d be perfect with smoked salmon or prawns, something along those lines.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £17.99 Laithwaites

G de Guiraud Semillon-Sauvignon 2019

What a wine to fly the flag for white Bordeaux. Toasty, waxy with a zesty finish to pep the bottle up, this is an organically farmed blend with equal parts Semillon and Sauvignon. It’s aged in the old 1er Cru Sauternes barrels to inject real depth and complexity, throwing up notes of ripe peach, lychee, oatmeal, and light lemon. It’s a vibrant palate cleanser so it loves any food. Christmas turkey with every trimming in the book? Pour away.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £15 Coop

Domaine Claude Lafond 'cuvee Nathalie' Reuilly Blanc 2021

This Loire Sauvignon shares the soil with Sancerre, picking up many of the characteristics without the price tag. Every drop oozes class, with leafy lemon flavour, a hint of nuts and a comforting creaminess. Delicious saline finish too. Try it with goats cheese, trust us!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £14.99 Majestic

Domini Veneti 'Foscarino' Soave Classico DOC, 2021

It’s head-turning and mouth-watering stuff from this blend of Garganega, Trebbiano and Chardonnay. Produced from grapes nurtured in volcanic soil in the Soave Classico region, there’s a sturdy saline core with branches of tropical pineapple and citrus, all shrouded in a creamy texture that would work wonders with most seafood dishes. A top-notch all-rounder and faultless bang for your buck!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £10.99 Majestic

Grace Koshu Kayagatake 2021

We’re taking a left field turn off to Japan for a moment if it’s alright with you, because at the very least, you have to see the Koshu grape (seriously, Google it after this) – is it the best-looking grape on the planet?  Mesmerizing pink. The wine itself resembles Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio somewhat, with divine balances of lemon, grapefruit, peach and jasmine. It feels soft and juicy but subtle all over, all whilst being terrifically light if you enjoy that from your wine. Foods like salmon, or perhaps goat cheese will pair nicely.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11.5%
Find here: £19.99 Novel Wines

Best Top End White Wine for Christmas

La Chablisienne Chablis Grand Cru, Chateau Grenouilles, 2018

Now this would bring more than a dusting of magic to any Christmas gathering, more like sleighfuls! Only a tiny harvest of Chardonnay is grown on ancient terroir for this, before two years of oak aging. This is simply top of the Chablis tree. Beguilingly rich, as rounded as they come, with creamy citrus notes grounded by chalky, mineral character and a kiss of oak. It’s as lively and complex as you expect for the amount it’ll set you back, if not more! Bravo!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £74.95 Le Bon Vin

Gusbourne Guinevere Chardonnay 2020

Brace yourself for this stunner, a super elegant Chardonnay from Gusbourne in Kent. You’ll recognise some overlap with a white Burgundy, with ripe stone fruit, a touch of spice and reassuring texture from 10 months of oak barrel aging. The palate is saline and buttery, with mellow oak and vanilla notes, perfectly balanced by the slight acidity of lemon and lime. As well as being crisp and fresh, there’s intriguing complexity that’s dying to be explored so it’s a super satisfying English wine. A glass of this alongside any creamy fish or chicken pie and you’re laughing!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £35 Gusborne

If you haven’t been won around by white wine this Christmas then one, well done for making it to the end regardless, and two, we’ve got Christmas guides for beautiful reds and glorious bubbles too!

Words by Calum Ecroyd