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.
Sparkling
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
White
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
Rosé
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
Red
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!