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

The Best Pre-Lunch Christmas Drinks

Once the mimosas have been drunk, breakfast had and Christmas lunch is beginning to be prepared, the chef, and everyone else for that matter, might be wanting a little something to drink before the grand meal gets under way. Personally, I don’t eat much at breakfast, so one of the next drinks can be a great substitute, whether with or without alcohol. One of my favourite drinks of all time is the Bloody Mary. Traditionally made with vodka there are other options out there. If you’re not a tomato juice fan, then a gin and tonic can go down very well pre-lunch too. And there is always the traditional Christmas drink of Sherry. Forget the old days of cream sherries, there are plenty more options of something tasty to sip away at to get your appetite going.

The BEst Spirits for a Bloody Mary cocktail

Glen's Vodka

Glens Vodka is the second best-selling spirit in the UK. And it is made in Scotland! Made by the Loch Lomond Distillery Company, who know how to make great spirits, this is a clean, smooth and easy going vodka created for mixing, and it is great value for money. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 37.5%
Find It Here: £13

Dima’s Vodka

We at The Three Drinkers have long been a great supporter of Dima’s Vodka, and in my opinion, it is the best vodka on the market today. It has superb flavour without being flavoured, it has a great texture that feels creamy in the mouth, and it is incredibly smooth. Beyond all this, it comes from Ukraine and is created by Ukrainian Dima, hence the name. Every bottle sold goes to help fund the Ukrainians in their battle against Russia making buying a bottle even more worth it.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find It Here: £35

Ardbeg 10 Year Old

For whisky lovers out there, this makes one of the best Bloody Marys I have ever had. Choose a rich thick tomato juice, or even add some passata to the drink, and once the spices are added, with the Ardbeg 10 Year Old, a smoky, earthy, and delicious drink evolves. With the power of the whisky, you can use as little or as much spice and Worcester sauce as you like, and it’ll taste great.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 46%
Find It Here: UK £42.90 // US $52.99

X Muse Vodka

Pronounced 10th Muse, this vodka is made with heritage varieties of barley in Scotland, which are distilled separately and then carefully blended. Based on the mythical 10th Muse which was supposed to be an amalgam of the other 9 muses, this vodka has huge amounts of flavour and complexity which shine through in a Bloody Mary. This is a vodka which really does push the boat out, but is worth every penny, and definitely worth the splurge on Christmas day. Beyond the tomato juice, this is a vodka to savour and sip.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find It Here: £55.74

The Best Gin for a Gin and Tonic 

Gordon’s Special London Dry Gin

The quintessential British gin. Gordon’s has been the country’s gin of choice for the humble gin and tonic for a very long time. And with good reason. It is a classic London dry gin with plenty of botanical flavour alongside the juniper and the resulting G&T is very, very good. It’s also great value and, if you don’t happen to be drinking, they make a very good 0% version, which, having tasted quite a few decent no alcohol gins, is my favourite.

Gordon’s Special London Dry Gin
Size: UK 700ml // US 1.75L
ABV: 38%
Find It Here: UK £16 // US $21.99

Gordon’s 0% London Dry Gin
Size: 700ml
ABV: 0%
Find It Here: £12

Finger Lime Gin

Made from an unusual fruit, which although is called a ‘lime’, it’s not certain if it actually fits into the citrus family or not, this gin is definitely zesty with oodles of citrus flavours which mixes with tonic superbly well. If you can find some finger limes to garnish, the little green caviar-like cells will bounce up and down the drink with the bubbles creating a very pretty display. A little like a gin and tonic snow globe. Perfect for Christmas.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find It Here: £34.95

Anty Gin

Created by the Cambridge gin distillery, this is a special gin which, although made of ants, wood ants to be precise, tastes great, and adds a little more interest to a simple gin and tonic. A great talking point when guests or family descend on you for Christmas, it may be a convenient distraction from any brewing family feud!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 42%
Find It Here: £194.99

The Best Sherry for Christmas

Tio Pepe Dry Sherry

This sherry is made from the Palomino grape variety and aged for around five years. It is crisp and zesty, and the perfect drink before a meal that is likely to be of gargantuan proportion. Easy to sip and take your time over, and especially good if you like dry white wines like Sauvignon Blanc.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 15%
Find It Here: £9.50

Lustau Oloroso Emperatriz

If sherry means rich and nutty flavours with lots of dried fruit aromas and flavours to boot, then this is a sherry you’ll love. There is lots of complexity and alongside the usual flavours you will find dark chocolate and nougat. The Solara this sherry comes from was founded in 1921 to mark the visit of Eugenia de Montijo to Jerez, who was the last Empress of France.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 20%
Find It Here: £20.95

Bodegas Tradición 30 Year Old Palo Cortado

Palo Cortado is an unusual sherry. Many cheaper versions are created by the sherry maker, but those that happen naturally are rare. They are created when the “flor”, which is a naturally occurring fungal barrier that lies on top of the sherry in the barrel to prevent the oxygen from getting to the liquid, naturally and for no reason disappears, allowing the sherry beneath to start to oxidize. The best of these naturally occurring barrels are put aside to become Palo Cortado. It’s hugely complex, yet has great delicacy and finesse, this is one of the greatest examples, and would delight any sherry drinker.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 20%
Find It Here: £103.05

Having sated oneself between breakfast and the great meal to come, the main event is next. With a huge number of drinks to choose from, I will keep it simple. To find out how to indulge yourself during this gourmet festive event, move on to my next set of drinks here. If you missed the Best Drinks to Enjoy on Christmas Morning, click here.

IT London

Words by Hannah van Houweninge

Last week we had the absolute privilege of trying out the new cocktail menu at IT London. The bar is perfectly situated in Mayfair, and a five minute walk from Green Park Station. The setting itself is beautiful, with the round bar being in the centre of the restaurant. The in-house DJ plays upbeat music creating a social vibe without disrupting your conversation.

Now onto the most important part: the drinks. The new cocktail menu is expertly curated by Mattia Lufrano who combines classic cocktails that everyone knows and loves with Mediterranean twists. Mattia’s recommendation would have to be the Milk and Cereals cocktail. This cocktail reminds him of his breakfast of choice when he was young- the star of the show being… Cheerios. Don’t let the cereal-cocktail put you off. This beautifully made drink includes Wisemen Kentucky Whiskey, hazelnut liqueur and caramel tea to make a lovely smooth drink experience. The cocktails range from £18-26. The steeper price is 100% validated by the incredible attention to detail and stunning craftsmanship. Even the ice cubes are engraved with IT’s logo. 

If you still can’t wrap your head around the cereal-concoction, perhaps try the Chocolate and Coconut Negroni. This lovely twist on my favourite cocktail order has coconut infused Whitley Neill Gin and dark chocolate liqueur. Who wouldn’t love this?

IT London is great for a special night out such as an anniversary or birthday drinks.

Ambience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Value:⭐⭐⭐⭐

Range:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Overall: 9/10

Address: 28-29, Dover St, Mayfair, London W1S 4LX

TalkTV: Sweet Treats

Coole Swan Superior Cream Liqueur

Made with single malt Irish whiskey, Belgian white chocolate and fresh cream.

£25 from John Lewis, The Whisky Exchange

Sainsbury's Spiced Ginger Biscuit Irish Cream Liqueur

Irish cream with spiced biscuit flavours - a bit like Speculoos!

£9 on offer from Sainsbury's

M&S Vegan Chocolate & Coconut Cream Liqueur

Not a bad version for vegans! Made with coconut oil.

£10 in store from M&S

Bellucci Velvet Amaretto

Aldi's dupe of Disaronno's Velvet Liqueur, but does it hit the mark?

£5.49 from Aldi

One Drink, Three Ways: Glen Grant 10-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch

One Drink, Three Ways is the signature feature by The Three Drinkers. Join The Three Drinkers’ Helena, Aidy and Colin as they take one bottle and create a trio of phenomenal serves which 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.

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Brothers John and James Grant began as illicit smugglers but having built up a network of connections in Scotland, they founded The Glen Grant distillery in 1840 and even helped build local railways to help the Speyside region of Scotland become the whisky hotbed it is today. 

Beautifully amber on the eye, the 10-year-old Glen Grant Scotch is the definitive Speyside whisky. It has wonderfully unique notes of green orchard, toffee, and vanilla and it’s equally quaffable for a whisky beginner or a seasoned drinker, which is part of the reason it’s picked up so many awards and heaps of praise. 

Truth be told, Glen Grant is super satisfying to sip on its own, but when a whisky is this gorgeous it would be a crime not to experiment with it!

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Helena’s Choice: Orchard High Ball

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I’ve gone for a little orchard twist on the classic Whisky Highball. The green orchard notes of the Glen Grant work wonders so I’m emphasising them with a little pear liqueur and zesty freshness from orange bitters and wedge. Simply pour all the ingredients into a highball glass, stir well to blend everything, then add ice, and finish it off with an orange wedge for garnish.

Orchard High Ball

Recipe

50ml Glen Grant 10YO

10ml pear liqueur (Merlet works well)

2 dashes orange bitters

Soda Top

Orange wedge

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Aidy’s Choice: Brigadoon

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Originally from The Player, now Basement State in Soho, this is a modern classic that delights whisky drinkers and seasoned dram fans alike. The sour lemon and sweet apricot in this combination mirror each other so well, and at the heart of it is the strong Speyside Scotch that remains the worthy star of the show. There are a few bold flavours jostling here so make sure to shake well and serve over ice.

Brigadoon

Recipe

50ml Glen Grant 10YO

20ml Apricot liqueur (Briottet works well here)

20ml lemon juice

10ml orgeat

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Colin’s Choice: Grant’s Buck

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This short and sharp tipple is a delight. The green fruit notes of the whisky are brought to the fore, and there’s a little extra sweetness that goes nicely too. I’m also a fan of the finish with the gentle lingering spice from the Scotch and ginger ale. Fill a rocks glass with ice and add the ingredients. Give it a good stir and garnish with a lemon twist.

Grant’s Buck

Recipe

50ml Glen Grant 10YO

50ml ginger ale

Lemon twist

UK
ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £30.99

If you approve of our concoctions, check out what we put together for Samuel Gelston’s Irish Whisk Cream Liqueur, or if you want to stay on the whisky train, check out our three cocktails for Glenmorangie X!

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! 

Aldi’s New Yorkshire Pudding Beer

For some it’s an essential part of the mighty Roast, for others it’s demoted to a take it or leave it bonus, and whilst we’re used to seeing it smothered in gravy, how does the Yorkshire pudding work in beer?

Channel 4 show Aldi’s Next Big Things gave thirty entrepreneurs the opportunity to get their unique creations onto the supermarket’s shelves, and it was Father and Son duo Harry and Howard Kinder from the award-winning Malton Brewery that jointly scooped the prize alongside Harry Specters Chocolate Bars.

Judges loved the creamy texture and froth of their unusual concoction, which contains half an actual Yorkshire pud in every bottle and comes out at only 3.6% ABV, so it’s pretty mild but I guess you’d expect that when a big portion of the recipe is a Yorkshire pudding. Malton Brewery says it’s based on the first-ever recipe for this beloved creation, written by Hannah Glass in 1747, so it’s vegetarian but unfortunately not vegan.

Incredibly, this isn’t the first product of this kind! In 2020, Leeds brewery Northern Monk partnered with Aunt Bessie’s to release a ‘Sunday Roast’ brown ale, using Yorkshires and roast potatoes, as well as a Jam Roly Poly number. The popularity of this new Malton Brewery product is next level, however, so who knows, maybe the humble roastie was holding the pudding back from its destiny as an essential beer flavouring after all?

You should be able to find it in your local Aldi now, with each 500ml bottle costing £1.49, and packs of four and eight also available if you can’t get enough of them. Keep your eyes peeled though because they recently sold out within hours of being restocked online.

There’s a conveyor of unusual festive food and drink combinations every year, and much of it can be dismissed as a novelty bit of fun, but maybe there’s more to this one? We haven’t tried it just yet, so please let us know if you have, and whether or not it lives up to the hype!

The Best Whisky to Gift this Christmas

For those of us who love whisky Christmas is a time to enjoy it all the more, whether that be for oneself, to share with others, or even to buy as gifts. I believe there are whiskies which are special at most price points, so I will be giving you great suggestions you can find in a supermarket, but also a range of bottles you most definitely can’t. It is Christmas after all, and the festive holidays should be for everyone. From sweet ex-bourbon casks, sherry casks, port casks and smoky whisky, these are my Christmas crackers for 2022. Starting with the two best-selling single malt whiskies in the world. So without further ado, let’s get to it…

Glenfiddich 12 Year Old

At any one point in time, it is never certain whether this whisky or the next is the best-selling single malt in the world. They are so well matched, that they both take the lead over the other from time to time. Although they are equally very good, I do have a favourite, and this is it. With great balance and lots of fruity Speyside orchard fruits, this whisky will often be on special offer over Christmas and is a great gift. Although I’m not sure if it’d make it into wrapping paper in my house.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find it here: UK £38 // US $44.99

Glenlivet 12 Year Old

I recently re-visited this distillery and in the tasting after the tour was presented with the 12-year-old as the first whisky. We then had two others from the range, and in my mind, although it was certainly not the most expensive, it was the best. It is so well balanced with apples and pears, with a little honey and vanilla, it’s hard not to see why it holds such regard in many people’s minds. And already on sale until January 2023 at Waitrose

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find it here: UK £28 // US $47.99

Thompson Brothers 8 Year Old Blended Malt SRV5

The Thompson brothers, Phil and Simon have gained legendary status as independent bottlers, and the way they have managed that is by bottling great whisky at great prices. And this is no exception. With complex aromas and flavours of melon, limes, grapefruits and bananas with touches of candlewax and a tiny bit of smoke, this is a great blended malt whisky.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 48.5%
Find it here: £34.95

Glenmorangie Nectar d’Or 

This is a real sweetie for the festive season. Finished in Sauternes wine casks, it has honey sweetness and vanilla to the fore. The sweet French white wine casks giving a syrup sweetness and viscosity. Sipped by itself or drunk in a highball with grapefruit soda, or ginger ale, this is an easy going crowd pleaser.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 46%
Find it here: UK £58.94 // US $81.99

Glenfarclas 15 Year Old

A stalwart of sherry matured whiskies, the 15 Glenfarclas is my all-time favourite ex-sherry cask Scotch. With the classic Christmas cake flavours, there are also nutty walnut flavours with orange peel, dates, and raisins. With a little water, it becomes even juicier. A great whisky for cold winter weather being very complex and easy to drink at the same time.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find it here: £57.94

Glen Grant 18 Year Old

In 2016 Glen Grant relaunched their range and thankfully included this 18 year old. It is a mix of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks but is so balanced there is not a predominance of flavour from either. With lots of caramel, vanilla and raisins there are complex waves of sweetness which meet the palate. If you don’t like big heavy sherried whiskies then this would definitely be one for you.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find it here: UK £115 // US $139.99

Glenturret 15 Year Old 2022 Release

This is the regular annual release from Glenturret of their 15 year old and like previous releases they have kept the abv on the higher side which gives a big punch of flavour. They’ve used a mix of casks which add to the complexity with both sweet and spicy notes, mixed with pepper, pine resin and lots of dried fruit. A big whisky for a big celebration.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find it here: £125

Fettercairn 18 Year Old

This is a very unusual whisky. Scotch must be matured in oak, but where that oak comes from can vary. Traditionally ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks are used, as well as Port, Madeira, and many other wine casks, but never before has a Scottish oak cask been used. Whyte and Mackay, the owners of Fettercarin have a comprehensive Scottish oak project which this 18-year-old has benefited from. The type of oak makes a great deal of difference, with Scottish oak having a peppery spicy note on the back palate and finish beyond all the fruit cake and soft spice. Each batch is pretty limited, so grab one while you can.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46.8%
Find it here: £174.50

Dalmore King Alexander III

One of the most complex yet easy drinking whiskies I know. This is matured in six different types of casks and then blended. It is a grand sipper, with lots of soft spice, winter berries and a zesty, oaky edge keeping the palate lively, this is a long-time favourite of mine. Decadence in a glass and definitely a special whisky.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find it here: UK £129.90 // US $279.99

Bowmore 22 Aston Martin 2nd Release

I have to thank my fellow drinker Aidy for opening his bottle for his Christmas party last weekend, otherwise, I’m not sure this would have been on my radar, but it definitely is now! A big rich complex dram with lots of fruit cake and spice, nuts, toasted oak and a good dollop of sweet beach bonfire smoke. This is an absolutely brilliant whisky from Bowmore. Sold out in most places, buy it if you see it, or find it at auction. It’s not only a great present, tastes great, but I think it will increase quite a bit in price, so maybe one to hang onto.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 51.5%
Find it at auction for around £500

Glenrothes 32 Year Old 1988 Cask 16546 Gordon and MacPhail

This whisky is simple in its conception. Fill an American oak hogshead, let it mature for thirty two years, and when ready, bottle it. Simple is not how I would describe the result though. There are subtle flavours of white meadow flowers and fennel which mix well with lots of complex honey and fresh vanilla pods. Fruit salad in syrup and a little fine oak and sandalwood make this a very special whisky for a special gift if you can bare to give it away!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 57.9%
Find it here: £720

Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute

I’ve been banging on about malt whisky, but now it’s time for a blend. The perception of blends is that they are cheaper and blander. This couldn’t be further from the truth. This whisky has great complexity with the whiskies contained within having been matured for over 40 years. Inlaid in 24 carat gold, this is the ultimate Christmas gift!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 57.9%
Find it here: £2799.90

With the above choices there should be something for everyone. From highball drinkers and aperitive sippers, to big rich fireside drams. For the new drinker and supermarket shopper to the new king, the one thing all of these have is quality, and the ability to give you pleasure. So, enjoy the festive season with whatever whisky you find and raise a glass to all people who enjoy a glass of the amber nectar.

If you enjoyed this then why not check out our gin, rum or red wine Christmas guides?

Words by Colin Hampden-White