Whether its a gift for friends and family or the perfect festive tipple, we are showcasing some of our top picks of delicious wine for Christmas. From dark and delicious reds to crisp dry chardonnay, we have something for everyone. Don’t forget to check out our upcoming festive fizz edition before you stock up for the big day!
Maturum Chardonnay 2017 | Alto Adige DOC | Bronze Medal – A luxurious and aromatic Chardonnay from the Alto Adige DOC, a winner of Decanter Bronze medal. Maturum is the high-end wing of K.Martini & Sohn, a Swiss-Italian winemaking family that has been producing premium wines in South Tirol since 1979. Their Chardonnay is likely to impress you with its intense aromas and complex flavours. Expect notes of golden apple, vanilla and tropical fruit such as lychee, mango, honeydew melon and pineapple. It is light on the palate with a crisp, long finish. Available from Independent Wine, with gift wrap options available.
Francone Barolo 2016 | Barolo DOCG | La Morra and Monforte d’Alba – Crafted by an award-winning winemaker, this UK-exclusive Barolo is made from grapes grown at two cru vineyards: La Morra and Monforte. Barolo DOCG is often described as Italy’s greatest red wine, and this particular bottle is definitely one of our favourites. It will appeal to anyone who loves rich red wines with an expressive flavour and tangible texture. It’s made from a combination of grapes from La Morra and Monforte, two of the five most prized cru villages in Barolo DOCG. Each of those two areas contributes its own, distinctive terroir character to the blend – La Morra lends richness and power, while Monforte brings elegance and freshness. Available from Independent Wine, with gift wrap options available.
Aldi Premium Wines at a fraction of the cost – Margaux, Barolo, Pomerol…. all wines you’d expect to see on the finest wine lists. This season, Aldi will be making these and other top names available to shoppers at a fraction of the usual price tag as the supermarket refreshes its premium, online exclusive Classic Icons collection. From a Châteauneuf-du-Pape to a Vintage Champagne, the collection of 29 stand-out wines range from just £5.49 to £24.99. The new launch forms part of Aldi’s continued commitment to opening up the world of wine to its customers, with this Classic Icons range satisfying the growing demand from wine enthusiasts who are turning to Aldi’s website for their wine.
The stellar line-up includes wines from some of the most highly regarded regions and admired appellations. Wine lovers can treat themselves to classic Bordeaux Margaux and Pomerol wines or discover fine Burgundies such as Gevrey-Chambertin or Pouilly-Fuissé, alongside standout wines from the New World including Argentina and California.
The full range will be available online and in store this season, with shoppers able to get their hands on the first bottles available now, and launches staggered until December. Visit www.aldi.co.uk for more info and to purchase.
Make your festivities rosé with Vins de Provence – Keep the taste of sunnier flavours burning merry and bright this festive season with crisp and elegant rosé wines from Vins de Provence. From bolder red fruit flavours and lightly oak-aged wines, to playful floral notes, refreshing mineral tastes and complex spicy hints, this year, find the perfect Vins de Provence rosé to complement your yuletide celebrations. Our top picks are:
Château Saint Maur, Saint M, Côtes de Provence, 2019, RRP £18 at L’AMI JAC – Gorgeously salmon-pink, Saint M carries mouth-watering aromas of wild strawberries, garrigue and red fruits on the nose. The perfect party bottle! Its delicious smoothness on the palate is brightened with flavours of strawberry and grapefruit, ending with a long and refreshing finish that cuts through oilier fish canapes, such as smoked salmon blinis or crab and prawn gyoza, just sublimely.
Maison Saint Aix, AIX Rosé, Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, 2019, RRP £15 – at Frazier’s Wine Merchants (75cl) or £29.99 at Majestic (150cl magnum) Captivatingly salmon pink in colour, AIX Rosé is crammed with vibrant red fruits and watermelon. Deliciously fruity, with a delicately balanced, long and fresh finish, it is the perfect year-round rosé – and particularly suited to Christmas! Let a magnum of this gorgeous wine bring an added sense of occasion to your festivities around the dinner table. Santé!
Faulkner Wine, Le Grand Cros – L’Esprit de Provence, Côtes de Provence, 2019, RRP £17.95 at BBR – With an elegant peach-pink hue, on the nose Le Grand Cros is complex and intense with hints of yellow peaches, passion fruit and yellow flowers. The mouth offers lovely texture with an expression of peach and pomelo, finishing with a slight sensation of sweetness underlined by a gorgeous freshness. The ideal match for a fragrant Thai curry or Provençal herb and lemon roasted chicken.
Prosecco Rosé DOC – Supermarket Aldi is putting the ‘pro’ in prosecco yet again as the supermarket announces the latest addition to its much-loved sparkling range; a brand new and deliciously indulgent Prosecco Rosé DOC (£6.49, 75cl). Not only is Aldi quick on the tills, this launch is fizz-ically the first time these pink bubbles have been available to buy in the UK. Available online rom the 2 November before hitting shelves in store, this is going to be a UK market first.
Wine expert, Mistress of Wine, Sam Caporn explains: “Shoppers might have already enjoyed Italian rosé (or rosato) sparkling wine, but it won’t actually have been Prosecco, because pink Prosecco hasn’t previously been permitted. Prosecco (like Champagne) is governed by strict regulations and Prosecco DOC has to come from grapes grown exclusively from nine provinces in the north east of Italy, and there are many rules in place regarding how it can be produced. Like standard Prosecco, the new rosé variety must be made primarily from Glera grapes but with the addition of Pinot Noir.”
Sure to appeal to both Prosecco and rosé lovers alike, Aldi’s Prosecco Rosé DOC is a soft pink colour with elegant notes of summer fruits on the nose. On the palate there is a delightful blend of strawberry and raspberry red berry fruits with a hint of white peach, finishing with a gentle citrus twist.
Aldi’s new Prosecco Rosé DOC (£6.49, 75cl) and Prosecco Rosé DOC Mini (£2.29, 250ml) is available now. Visit www.aldi.co.uk/c/wines/bubbles for more information on Aldi’s fizz.
