fine wine

Helena's Choice: fine wines for your festive meal or gifting

We may be in an economic crisis but research is showing that people are choosing to spend a little more on their drinks this year instead of going out as it’s still cheaper to do that! I didn’t have to be asked twice. Here are some of the loveliest fine wines I have tried this year that would make great wine gifts or matches for your festive table as featured on Helena’s latest reel.

Champagne

Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve

A deliciously, rich and weighty, brioche-tastic champagne with zippy acidity and ridiculous drinkability. Very smart on the outside as well as on the inside. Awesome with cheese and smoked salmon blinis.

£46 from The Wine Society and The Finest Bubble

Gastronomic Provençal Rosé

Château D’Esclans 2021

For me, the creamier, fuller-bodied style of Provençal rosé is what I like to drink if my festive meal is at lunchtime. These gastronomic pinks are exceptionally versatile and refreshing when you are going to be eating a lot! They can be super premium too.

On sale for £29.95 from Fine Wine Direct

Grand Cru Chablis

Château Grenouilles, La Chablisienne 2019

£83.75 from Vinissimus

This is the granddaddy of Chablis with its golden, viscous robe and creamy, lactic texture. Top with a pinch of spice and tangy chalk and it's a foodie match joy! Try this with a comté cheese or your roast chicken and turkey with all the trimmings. 

Red Burgundy

Pommard Vieilles Vignes, Domaine Génot-Boulanger 2017

A lighter style of red is perfect for your Christmas turkey as it won’t overwhelm the flavours but will stand up just enough. This pommard is delicate, perfumed and silky, packed full of spiced cherry and plum. Divine.

£41.67 from Justerini & Brooks

English Pinot Noir

Gusbourne Boot Hill Pinot Noir, 2020

Enter, England's finest still red wine - in my opinion, anyway. The Boot Hill Pinot gives a nod to the finesse of classic Burgundy with its crisp, red cherry and raspberry notes and subtle, earthy flavours. Lean and light.

£33 from Gusbourne.com

Red Bordeaux

Pomerol NV

Pomerol, the Merlot-dominated village on the right bank of Bordeaux is often a classic red choice for Christmas. Velvety, red-berry and cedar scented, it’s an easy going red with a touch of class. If you’re having beef especially, this will sing.

From Justerini & Brooks

Aged Red Bordeaux 

Clarendelle Bordeaux Rouge 2016 by Domaine Clarence Dillon

Another classic and classy Bordeaux, this time with a little more age and some Cabernet in the blend, giving more juicy, blackcurrant flavours with earthy, tobacco leaf notes and a plush texture. Have this with beef or lamb. 

£19.80 from Hedonism Wines

Rosso di Montalcino

La Fiorita Rosso di Montalcino 2020

Rosso di Montalcino is meant to be a baby version of Brunello but these days, some fo the ross wines are so fine, they demand attention! Such is La Fiorita’s Rosso: a concentrated and complex, full-bodied Sangiovese with a characteristic herbaceousness and wild cherry finish. Have this with tomato based dishes, stews and even hard, nutty cheese.

£31.90 from Hedonism Wines

Super Tuscan

Siepi Toscana, Castello di Fonterutoli, 2019

If Italy is your thing, then this wine is all levels of epic. A blend of Sangiovese and Merlot, this is a super seductive, velvety, God of a wine that manages to stay bright and refreshing in spite of its concentration. Think dark plum, baked spice, woodsmoke and herbs. Needs big meat!

£80.20 from Vinvm 

Premium Malbec

Susana Balbo Signature Malbec 2019

To continue the super concentrated theme, this Uco Valley Malbec shows why we love this sub region as it showcases those aromatic, dark chocolate and mineral flavours so beautifully. Classy wine from a lady at the Vanguard (vinguard?) of premium Argentinian wine: Susana Balbo. Have this with dark chocolate or grilled meat. 

£18.16 from The Fine Wine Company

Want more recommendations? Check our our gift guides!

Beyond the Super Tuscans: A fresh look at Armit Wines

armit wine the three drinkers

The Three Drinkers headed to the first portfolio tasting in years of wine merchant Armit, famed for its stunning Italian wine agencies like Sassicaia and Ornellaia. Expecting the Italians, they found a lot more on offer, some of it equally spectacular. Colin Hampden-White tells all...

Armit Wines has now been supplying wine to the trade and private clients for over thirty years. Founded in 1988 by John Armit, the company started to forge relationships with producers so they could buy direct. Some of the strongest relationships were with Italian wine producers including the greats like Sassicaia and Ornellaia and it was with these relationships and wines that Armit became well known. Italian wine isn’t the only wine Armit specialises in, however. Far from being a one trick pony, Armit has wines from all over the world, and these wines are just as impressive as the Super Tuscan wines they still supply.

sassicaia the three drinkers

There was something different about the Armit tasting this year in comparison to some they’ve had in the past. There wasn’t an Italian wine to be seen. Armit wanted to show off more wines in their stable and shine a light on some other great regions.

Kicking off the tasting were a couple of wines from New Zealand. A fresh and fruity Riesling from Borthwick vineyards and some rich and refined Pinot Noir from Bell Hill, showing how well New Zealand competes with the likes of Burgundy for Pinot Noir. Staying in the southern Hemisphere, there were wines from South Africa, with a Grenache from Momento and a Cabernet  Sauvignon from Delaire Graff standing out. From Napa there were stonking wines from Diamond Creek and away from the usual Californian regions, there were wines from Santa Maria Valley by Bien Nacido and Solomon Hills showing very well. 

Baptiste & Julie Guinaudeau from Lafleur in Bordeaux

Baptiste & Julie Guinaudeau from Lafleur in Bordeaux

The new world wines didn’t have it all their own way though. Armit also have some great relationships in Spain and France, with two prominent producers being Domaine Leflaive and Lafleur in Burgundy and Bordeaux and in Rioja, Rioja Alta. These are some of the best estates in the world and to find them in one room is testament to the selection Armit have harvested over the years. 

Alongside these grand names in wine, there are lesser known, but just as exciting, wines from Torre de Oña, also in Rioja, Dowie Doole in Australia, Domaine Huet in the Loire and closer to home, Digby sparkling English wine. And just to top things off, Chateau Dereszla in Hungary had some very refined Tokaji, both dry and sticky in style.

The quality of wines on show was over all very high and the message from Armit was loud and clear: They are not only an Italian wine merchant. Sure, you can still buy your favourite Italian wines from them, but try reaching further afield when you visit their website, or call for advice, and you will be well rewarded for it.

See more are armitwines.co.uk

By Colin Hampden-White