Wine labels can cause a real headache sometimes with all their terminology, especially if in a foreign language. Spanish wine labels are easier to understand than some so here are a few of the key terms you need to know to get the most out of your bottle…
Enjoyed this? Why not check out Delicious Spanish Food and Wine Pairings and 5 Reasons to Try Garnacha
We love our wine and have been spoiled for choice this year with the wonderful bottles we have tasted. Here’s a selection of some fantastic gift packages, experiences and subscriptions that really caught our eye and out taste buds, that have that extra wow factor, making them the perfect wine gift.
Feel Good Grapes: Brilliant Biodynamics Box
See for yourselves the upside of this winemaking ethos with this curated collection of 6 biodynamic wines. It feels great to know that the winemakers are bending over backwards to get life back into their vineyards, but it also means you get to taste fabulous, vibrant wines.
Find here: £100
Hattingley Valley - Trio Gift Box
A hatt-trick (see what we did there?) of outstanding, award-winning sparkling wines from one of the countries most awarded wineries. It includes the Classic Reserve, the Rosé 2015 and the stunning Blanc de Blancs 2013. Together, these would have been £133.50 so there’s a great saving there too. The perfect present!
Find here: £96.47
Bellini Case - The Wine Society
The world’s oldest, not-for-profit wine club The Wine Society is offering a huge range of gift packages, from their ‘Christmas tidings’ case, to the ’Champagne and Chocolates Case‘ and this, the ’Bellini Case‘. The Bellini case includes The Wine Society’s own excellent quality, family-produced Prosecco, together with both a rhubarb and a white peach fruit nectars from the Van Nahmen range.
Find here: Full range of gifts from £22 to £145
Celebrity Wine & Food Hampers
Pop icon Kylie Minogue and Graham Norton have released their first-ever Christmas Hampers. Kylie’s “Wild Rosé” and “Lovers” hampers feature her best selling wines, alongside culinary delights and gifts hand-picked by the Kylie herself. Graham’s Christmas hamper is for white and bubble lovers, celebrating his best-selling Sauvignon Blanc and Prosecco, accompanied by delicious food.
Find here: From £125.00
Barbadillo En Rama Sherry Gift Set
Pastora Mananilla Pasada En Rama is no ordinary Sherry. It was resurrected by Barbadillo back in 2015 to replicate what Sherry used to be traditionally. Bottle ‘en rama’, which means raw, this Manzanilla has had no filtering or finishing, so it keeps as much flavour and freshness as if it had just been drawn straight from the cask. You’ll get a bottle of Barbadillo Pastora En Rama, two tins of delicious Perello Gordal Pitted Olives, two sherry glasses and a gorgeously retro style box, where you can use the lid as a wall hanging!
Find here: £35
Port.Club Port subscription from Churchill’s
Port is not just for Christmas! Port.Club from Churchill’s is the ultimate gift subscription for the port curious and port lovers alike, offering a delicious, decadent quarterly surprise. Included in the membership is access to unique travel and educational experiences both in Portugal and online. The Port Packs all come with one everyday port, one special occasion port and one unique club port, selected and blended by Churchill’s founder and head winemaker Johnny Graham. As a special launch offer, anyone who buys a membership will receive one additional pack to gift to someone for Christmas worth £70! It’s an awesome way to get into one of the world’s finest and most underrated wine styles in a relaxed, totally accessible way. 12 months price £240. Quarterly price £70.
Find here: From £70
LITTLEWINE Club
This brand new company was formed by established wine trade members with a passion for organic and naturally made wines. They’re offering 4 subscription packs from £50 a month: Roots, Grower, Backstage Pass and Cosmos, with added perks such as access to winemaker tastings. Little Wine use eco-conscious packaging and gift-wrapping too, which is a bonus for us and the earth!
Find here: From £50 a month
C&B Wine Odyssey
From one of the UK’s oldest established wine merchants who really know their stuff, send someone on a wine odyssey, with 6 bottles delivered straight to the doorstep on a pre-selected day of the month and the choice of 6 or 12 monthly payments. Subscribers also have access to tasting notes, recipes, producer videos and lots of other fun and educational content.
Find here: £160 & £240
Champagne Experience Gifting Vouchers
Searcys have launched a range of 30-plus gift experience vouchers for use across their iconic venues, from dinner at the Gherkin, afternoon tea at Blenheim Palace or lunch at the stunning Bath Pump Rooms, among other venues all over the UK. From beautifully gift boxed single bottles of champagne to extravagant staycation tasting experiences, there’s a huge range for an epicurean. See all their gifting options and experiences below.
Wine Tasting Tour & Experience at Oastbrook in Sussex
Oastbrook is next to Bodiam Castle in the beautiful countryside of south-east England, where Wine Tasting & Vineyard Tours take place from spring to October 2021. Every tour includes a couple of hours with your very own winemaker guide, America, taking in the stunning boutique vineyards and organic farmland. Each experience rounds off with a tasting of Oastbrook wines in the heart of the picturesque Estate with complimentary handmade local cheese, biscuits and chutney. Book the tour or get the gift voucher for £25pp from Oastbrook.com. You could add a bottle of their Sparkling Rosé 2014 too for £38 while you’re at it!
Don’t forget to check out our Christmas wine, gin and whisky recommendations!
When planning a dinner, lunch or surprise picnic in the woods, Spanish wine and food is your failsafe combo. Follow Aidy and Helena as they share with you some of their favourite food and wine pairings…
Enjoyed this? Why not check out Why the Cariñena Region Needs to be on your Radar and 5 Reasons to Try Garnacha
One Drink, Three Ways is the signature feature by The Three Drinkers. Join Helena, Aidy and Colin as they take one bottle and create a trio of phenomenal serves that you can enjoy anytime, anywhere. From rums and whiskies to gins and wine styles, The Three help you get the most out of your glass. It’s time to get liquid on lips.
Cocchi Vermouth di Torino: THE go-to vermouth of choice for mixologists and drinks enthusiasts alike. Hailing from Piedmont in Northeastern Italy, this top-of-the-range vermouth has a unique and much-loved character thanks to a recipe dating back to 1891, which includes Moscato wine, bittersweet herbs and aromatic spices such as wormwood, rhubarb and citrus. Also known fondly as Cocchi Torino, this distinctive and delicious vermouth lends itself to all the definitive cocktails such as the Negroni, The Manhattan, The Americano and Martini, though it makes some staggeringly good twists on these classics.
The Three Drinkers each share their favourite ways to taste it….
I love a Negroni with a little more sweetness than some so for me, the red fruit flavours from the Chambord and cherry bitters together with the aromatics from the Shiraz Gin really elevate this Negroni and make it super-approachable. Maraschino cherries are also back in a big way, so if you have some, pop one on a stick and maybe, if no one's looking, pour in a dash of the syrup too. Naughty but so nice!
Bloody Negroni
Recipe
25ml Cocchi Vermouth di Torino
25ml Gin (I love Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin)
15ml Campari
10ml Chambord
2 Dashes of cherry bitters
Garnish: Maraschino cherry on a stick
Glassware: Tumbler
Method: This is such a simple cocktail, which is partly why I love it. Combine all the elements (bar the cherries) into a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously, then strain and pour over a large, single chunk of ice into a tumbler. Garnish with your cherry on a stick.
Negroni’s are loved for a reason, they are simple to make, and done right they taste bloody fantastic. A great vermouth and gin are what bind this together so perfectly, so make sure you choose something quality-driven like the below. Make this at your next gathering with family or friends and you’ll impress the hell out of everyone you’re with!
Classic Negroni
Recipe
25ml Cocchi Vermouth di Torino
25ml London Dry Gin
25ml Campari
Garnish: orange peel
Method: Making the Classic Negroni couldn’t be easier: pour the ingredients into an old-fashioned glass with ice cubes, stir, stir and stir some more and then garnish with the orange peel.
Cocchi is an old time favourite of mine and I like it with minimal intervention to really let those herbaceous, bitter flavours shine. This refreshing spritz, with its lower alcohol content than many a highball, is a perfect aperitif to reset your palate. Every Friday should start with these!
Twist on a Spritz
Recipe
50ml Cocchi Vermouth di Torino
100ml Tonic water (I love Franklin & Sons Rosemary and Black Olive)
Garnish: Rosemary sprig
Glassware: White wine glass
Method: Add your Cocchi to the wine glass over crushed ice, pour in your tonic to taste (I’d suggest 2 parts tonic to 1 part vermouth) and garnish with a fresh sprig of rosemary. Perfect for any time of year!
UK
ABV: 16%
Size: 750ml
Buy it now for £23
Although we are big fans of all things drink at 3DHQ, we love a nice scented candle or a quirky drinks related calendar too. Here are some of our favourite picks this festive season…
There’s nothing quite like the luxury of an incredible smelling home and being massively into our aromas, we love Parks candles. Made sustainably with 100% natural wax with a range of options from small to large, Parks offer fragrances across all aromatic ranges from citrus, spicy and fruity to woody and floral. Our favourites are the Nordic Spruce, which fills your home with the aroma of Christmas trees and the Cinnamon and Clove candle. They’re Christmas all over!
Find here: £5 - £75
A splash-out gift for whisky lovers in the form of a simply stunning art book, which takes readers on a breathtaking visual tour of whisky production. Only 1000 copies were made, numbered and hand bound in leather before being presented in a bespoke leather and suede slipcase. Understated yet sophisticated, this stylish tome would not look out of place in any contemporary or classic interior. If you’re feeling really fly, there’s a copper edition too for £1,250. Let us know if you would like our address to pop one over…
Find here: £450
Aidy discovered N25 this year while on the hunt for some fabulous caviar for his 30th birthday. Let’s just say he wasn’t disappointed! As far as selection goes, they have everything you could ask for and more... Baerii, Hybrid, Oscietra, Schrenckii, Kaluga, Beluga, Almas and Albino. See, you’ve probably never seen that many choices! The crème de la crème is their signature caviar; Kaluga. Cousin of the famous Beluga caviar, this could quite possibly be the rarest sturgeon in existence. There is also Almas and Albino Beluga which elevate the experience visually too thanks to their yellow and white colours. With 24 hour shipping throughout Europe and the fact they sell Krug like it’s on tap alongside a variety of super quality seafood such as lobster – you’re in good hands.
Find here: From 57 Euro
I was first introduced to Philips Hue about 5 years ago and it has changed my life. We often disregard just how important lighting is and the affect it has on our moods. Philips Hue hits every colour on the colour spectrum and comes in a variety of lightbulbs for existing fighting, standalone lamps and even strip lighting. You can create a variety of ambient lighting moods for waking up to give you energy, peace-time for a little midday meditation or nap time and as the evening rolls around to calm your senses and get you ready for a good night’s sleep. Their app allows you to control everything seamlessly via smart devices such as Google and Alexa and there is a plethora of in-app functions to get the most out of your tech. I cannot recommend these more highly.
Ranging from £25
The maker of the world’s favourite whisky glass, Glencairn Crystal, has launched the ultimate gin drinking vessel: The Gin Goblet! Using their famous Mixer Glass as a starting point, the Glencairn design team carefully considered the needs of the gin drinker, the bar staff and the distillers, giving it a unique lip for easy drinking, a curved top to enhance aroma, an elegant stem to keep your hand away from warming the gin and a smaller bowl to require less ice and stop the gin from being diluted. You can also have them personalised with hand engraving.
Find them here: £10 each
A must for content creators or anyone with kids, this vibrant calendar captures just about all the food and drink days of 2021. It looks brilliant on the wall too! You can get it in A2 or even A1 size and while you’re at it, pick up some super cute legoman greetings cards.
Find here: £15 A2/ £50 A1
The Coravin Pivot is a new, entry level device from Coravin that extends the life of your everyday wines for up to a month! No more wasted bottles. It works by replacing the air in the bottle with inert Argon gas, kept in by a rubber stopper. It’s brilliant value at its introductory offer of £99 and one to start with before graduating to its more elaborate systems. We recommend you get a few extra rubber stoppers too.
Find here: £99
A gorgeous twin pack of metallic edged, hand-blown tumbler glasses that are modern and minimalistic with a vintage twist. We love these with Negronis and Old Fashioned cocktails, but anything with a mixer will look super swish in these! Perfect for the mixology fiend in your life and to bring to life your own home bar.
Find them here: £28 for 2
The past year has been… yes, we won’t even go there. While 99% of the population took up making banana bread, those with gardens decided to plant flowers and herbs – how successful they were is another story. While we weren’t all lucky enough to have an outdoor space to unwind, Click & Grow have brought the greenery to us! This revolutionary technology is like an indoor greenhouse, allowing you to grow seed to plant or flower in as little as two weeks. Tried and tested, we can happily swear by it.
Find here: From $99.95
Taking Australian coffee culture into the night, where it is so much more than just a drink. Mr Black was born out of a love of perfect coffee and great distilling put together for a good time! This one is concentrated just like a great espresso and has a hint of caramel sweetness on the finish. As well as single bottles, they offer a range of gifting options such as an Espresso Martini set (£39.99), a festive Espresso Martini set (with booze for £65) or the Mr. Black Holy Trinity: three bottles of their best; their iconic coffee liqueur, their single origin Colombia liqueur and their Amaro version.
Find here: £25.99 - £29.99
Don’t miss our wine, cocktails and no-low gift guides too!
Those who make hot sauce well have achieved a somewhat cult status in their field over recent years. Welcome to a new mover and shaker in this market - and absolutely one to watch! Dunstan’s Recipes is a family run, luxury condiments business with a focus on spice and a deep love of complex flavours. The owners, brothers Oscar and Alex Dunstan, started the business from scratch and are quickly building a name for themselves at farmers markets and selling to their local community. They now ship world wide! Try their premium sauce ‘Toxic Masculinity’ (£10) if you like it uber spicy with a blend of Scotch Bonnet and Naga Bhut Jolokia. For those looking for a gentler blend, try ‘Humbug’ (£5), for a hot, Christmassy take on cranberry sauce.
Price: £5 - 10 for 170g
Find it here.
Ingredients:
25ml Courvoisier VSOP Cognac
120ml Champagne
1 Sugar Cube
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Method
Soak the sugar cube in bitters, drop into the glass, add cognac and top with Champagne. Finally, garnish with a lemon swathe. Glass: Coupe.
Fancy trying your hand at some more cocktails? Then, make sure you check out our White Russian and Apple Pie cocktails. If you don’t fancy making your own here are some must-try delicious pre-made cocktails.
We love our wine and have been spoiled for choice this year with the wonderful bottles we have tasted. Here’s a selection of some that really caught our eye and our taste buds, that have that extra wow factor, making them the perfect wine gift or sip over the festive season.
Champagne Duval-Leroy ‘Clos Des Bouveries’ 2006 Vintage
Not just any Champagne, the ‘Clos des Bouveries’ is an ancient vineyard plot owned by the Duval-Leroy family that boasts the perfect location and terroir for champagne grapes, giving them exceptional concentration and fruit. Made with 100% Chardonnay and partially fermented in oak barrels, it combines purity with complexity and body. Gorgeous.
Size: 75cl
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £121 and find the rest of the range here
Beau Joie Brut
Translating as ‘beautiful joy’, this Champagne is just that; a stunner on the eye and a delight to drink! The striking bottle oozes luxury with its unique copper casing, which also acts as a wine cooler when chilled - and the champagne inside is definitely something to write home about. The even better news… Beau Joie is available in three variants: a crisp, clean, rosé Champagne, a fruity elegant demi-sec and a unique, zero-dosage brut.
Size: 75cl
ABV: 12%
Find here: £89.95
Delamotte Blancs de Blancs NV
2020 marks the 260th anniversary of this house, founded in 1760 by Francois Delamotte. It’s the sister Champagne to the celebrated Salon, arguably the world’s rarest champagne and is the hidden ‘insiders’ gem that true winos adore. 100% Chardonnay from the region’s top Grand Cru vineyards, the non vintage manages to combine freshness and complexity with elegance and accessibility, showcasing gorgeously understated notes of lemon, grapefruit and brioche, backed up by a moreish chalkiness and soft, creamy mousse. For the price, it’s unbeatable. It also comes in half bottles! Perfect for the stocking.
Size: 75cl
ABV: 12%
Find here: £42.46 (on offer) // £22.91 (half bottle)
Bollinger Special Cuvée 007 Limited Edition
This special cuvée was created to celebrate a 40 year collaboration between Maison Bollinger and the James Bond franchise, while at the same time, marking the launch of No Time To Die. This wine comes in a limited edition gift box that brings together Bollinger’s signature Special Cuvée, the Aston Martin DB5 and James Bond, with its sleek, silver birch colour and silhouette of the man himself. Special Bolly just got even more special in our opinion!
Size: 75cl
ABV: 12%
Find here: £46.50
Hattingley Valley Kings Cuvée 2014
A very limited release from Hattingley valley made by rising star winemaker Emma Rice, this gorgeous English sparkling wine is a premium blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier (the exact same grapes used in Champagne). It is perfect for enjoying with pre dinner snacks and has just won the accolade of ‘Supreme Champion’ at the WineGB awards, making it the best sparkling wine in the UK. We’ll drink to that!
Size: 75cl
ABV: 12%
Find here: £85
Six Brothers Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2019
Founded by Richie Vandenberg, an ex ‘Aussie Rules’ footballer and captain, the Six Borther wines were names after the heroic Vandenberg brothers who fought for their country at the outbreak of World War II. This Chardonnay is just the ticket for turkey, creamy cheese dishes, pastas or even fish. It’s aromatic and powerful, with flavours of white stone fruits, creme brûlée, hazelnut and citrus peel. Creamy on the palate too, it’s a perfect festive white. Opulent and delicious.
Size: 75cl
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £22.99 mix six price from Majestic
Gusbourne ‘Guinevere’ Chardonnay, Kent, England 2018
Yes, a still white wine from England and it is breathtaking! This exceptionally elegant Chardonnay is packed with complex notes of citrus peel, brioche, orchard fruit and citrus with the leanest, saline backbone. There’s so much going on but it doesn't shout loudly. Guinevere is the perfect name.
Size: 75cl
ABV: 11.5%
Find here: £25
Saintsbury Chardonnay, Carneros, USA
A rich, sunshine Chardonnay is precisely what you need on a cold, Christmas day. Notes of marshmallow and vanilla are offset by a lick of lemon citrus and a cool, mineral core. Channel California while you sip! We love this wine and this mix six price, you could treat someone to their own stash. Pair it with the Pinot Noir (below) and you’ve covered all bases.
Size: 75cl
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: UK £20.99 mix six price // US $34.58
Soho House's Lady A Rose
You may have heard us banging on about how rosé - especially Provencal rosé is perfect with festive meals, so what a great idea to ship in a case of this as a gift for someone (or yourself)! This unique Rosé is a collaboration with the iconic, biodynamic Chateau la Coste estate in Provence and Soho House. It’s delicate and elegant with peach and strawberry notes, yet with a creamy weight on the palate. Perfect alone or with turkey and all the trimmings!
Size: 75cl
Find here: £19.90
Etna Rosato, Tenuta delle Terre Nere 2019
Nerello Mascalese grapes grown on bush vines in the volcanic soils of Sicily’s Mount Etna make for unique, interesting and delicious wines. Supremely elegant but multi-layered and textural, this is a beautiful, textural yet vibrant pink with subtle notes of red plum and cherry. A gorgeous winter pink and a great food wine, especially with fleshy fish dishes.
Size: 75cl
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £11.25
Boekenhoutskloof Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
South Africa had a tough time during lockdown with alcohol sales being banned, resulting in very hard times for producers and merchants. You can support them by drinking fabulous wine - and this is a firm favourite of ours.
Pronounced BURK- ERN-HOOTS-CLOOF (which is a delight to say out loud - try it!), this Cabernet Sauvignon from the Helderberg area showcases the perfect blend of old world and new world styles. Perfumed, complex and alluring, those classic Cabernet notes of cedar and blackcurrant are there in abundance and balanced so beautifully with a crisp acidity, cool minerality and moreish notes of bay leaf, graphite and cacao. Beguiling and utterly delicious.
Size: 75cl
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: UK £39.99 mix six price // US From $35 here
Saintsbury Pinot Noir, Carneros, USA
Cool climate California produces some beautifully aromatic, cherry-scented Pinot that’s soft as silk. This is an incredibly easy-drinking Pinot Noir packed with dark and red berry fruit and gentle cinnamon spice. A perfect partner for turkey and festive fare and a create follow on from the Chardonnay (above).
Size: 75cl
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: UK £20.99 mix six price // US $46.58
Vandenburg Six Brothers Pinot Noir, Tasmania, 2018
Sister wine to the Chardonnay above, this soft and rich Pinot Noir comes from a single vineyard located south of the Tamar Valley in Tasmania. Think of spicy, red fruit like cherry and raspberry compote with a subtle herbaceousness and moreish, truffle earthiness. Incredibly complex and elegant, this wine is drinking beautifully now but will also keep for 5 years or so. Drink it with duck and Asian sauces or lamb and roasted vegetables. Gorgeous!
Size: 75cl
ABV: 14%
Find here: £33.99 Mix 6 price
McGuigan Langhorne Creek Shiraz 2014
One of the premium wines from McGuigan; the well-loved Australian wine. With its pleasing red wax top, this wine looks how it tastes: bold and velvety with notes of blackberry jam spice and a kick of pepper and eucalyptus. A great looking bottle for a gift and a belter with red meat.
Size: 75cl
ABV: 15%
Find here: £20
Inglenook Zinfandel Edizione Pennino 2011
Inglenook has been owned by film director Francis Ford Coppola since 1975 and he named this Zinfandel after his grandfather’s music company, Pennino. It even has one of the song titles on the cork! Zinfandel from here is bold and brooding, full of lush, damson fruit and notes of dried fig coming out with its age. This one is exceptional and beautifully balanced to boot!
Size: 75cl
ABV: 14.8%
Find here: £58
Vineyard 7 & 8 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
2017 started so well in Napa but ended in devastating fires. Luckily, these vineyards were spared and the 2017 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon has developed into a beautiful wine, showing vibrant blackberry, currant, cassis and espresso, Great tension, and a beautiful finish. So impressive for such a challenging vintage.
Size: 75cl
ABV: 14.8%
Find here: US £189.99
Looking for more ‘drinkspiration’? Then, make sure to check out our cognac, whisky and tequila gift guides!
Cognac is back with a bang and it’s not just for cocktails, my friends. Cognac is a spirit made with grapes, which is then aged in oak and it can be a great place to ease yourself into the spirits world. Often, it can be a little softer than whisky, with mellow flavours of candied orange peel, fudge and cinnamon spice. Like whisky, it has many levels of quality from the entry-level VS style all the way up to XO (extra old) and vintage cognacs (There’s our little video here with some basics if you want to know more.) In the meantime, here are some special cognacs that are perfect for gifting and sipping this festive season.
The Camus family has always been deeply involved in winemaking and distilling and make a wide range of Cognacs at differing quality levels and styles. This is their gentle, easy-going entry-level Cognac which boasts aromas and flavours of blossom, dried apricot, vanilla pod and spice. A brilliantly accessible introduction to Cognac.
Size: 1l
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £32.96 // US $30.99 (70cl)
This classic VSOP, a quality step up from VS, is made by one of the best known producers of the region: Courvoisier. With its incredibly rich history, especially as the producer of cognac for the Napoleonic wars, Courvoisier has had a long time to perfect its style and this is an absolute benchmark for VSOP. Think of a silky smooth spirit, with notes of baked pear, red apples and hints of cinnamon spice, coffee bean and toast.
Size: 70cl
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £34.95 // US $42.99
Powerful, smooth and rich with notes of toffee and cherry wood, this cognac sits between a VSOP and XO style. It was named in honour of King Louis XV granting the ‘Accord Royal’ to Rémy Martin in 1738, which allowed them to plant vines on royal land. This is a rich and robust Cognac. Given its age and pedigree, this cognac is an absolute steal!
Size: 70cl
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £42.45 // US $53.99
This exceptionally elegant and delicate ’Grande Champagne’ cognac is the flagship spirit of the historic house of Delamain and it is celebrating its 100th year this year. Grande Champagne is the premium grape growing area of the region and it produces the finest eaux-de-vie to make cognac. As the label states, this extra old cognac is pale and dry, with a subtle, floral perfume, a hint of leather and a complex, yet round, fruited finish.
Size: 70cl
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £97.45 // US: $135.54
With cognac, the quality of the grapes matters, even though they are being distilled and in a fantastic year, the base for some exceptional cognacs are produced, such as this one from 1990. Made with grapes from one single vineyard, this is a concentrated and powerful, yet elegant cognac with a perfume of jasmine and apricot blossom along with some darker notes of nuts and star anise.
Size: 70cl
ABV: 41.3%
Find here: £140
This bottling is relatively new for Courvoisier and yet is another timeless, beautifully blended spirit where its complexity comes from very old eaux-di-vie from all over the Cognac region. Think of dried peach, red fruits, cocoa powder and a touch of worn leather. Delicious. A great one for dark chocolate too.
Size: 70cl
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £86.95 // US $99.99
And in case you were feeling flush…
Rome de Belleguard is home to the most expensive Cognac in the world and no this isn’t it. Made with grapes grown exclusively in the Grand Champagne appellations in Cognac, the spirit is stored in new casks for 3-5 years before being matured in oak barrels for up to 30 years. Ethereal and perfumed, this is a very elegant spirit with vanilla cream, citrus peel and woody spice.
Size: 70cl
ABV: 40%
Find here: £3000
Have you checked out our wine, no-low and cocktail gift guides yet?