The Best Bubbles to Pop this Festive Season

With the near constant flow of food from nibbles to feasts to desserts, a delicious sparkling wine is perfect for cutting through Christmastime and providing the crisp refreshment required. Without further ado, here’s a selection of our most eye-catching fizzes, from supermarket marvels to sublime top tier magic! Let’s pop those corks!

The Best Budget Sparkling Wine (£10 and Under)

Sainsbury's Cava Brut

Cava is made using the same method as Champagne, but with Spanish grapes like Paradella, Macabeo and Xarel-lo which creates a more tropical and savoury profile than Champagne. Some see it as less refined but when it comes down to value, Cava is king. Those three grapes all go into this Cava Brut, which is aged for at least nine months creating bold zesty citrus aromas. It feels super fresh and vibrant, with a particularly lovely green apple flavour running through it. Try it with any fish from smoke salmon to good old fish and chips.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 1.5%
Find here: £5.85

ALDI’s Specially Selected Cremant Du Jura

You may not be familiar Crémant but it’s a sparkling wine made in the exact same way as Champagne outside the Champagne region, and the production quality of it has improved dramatically over recent decades. This bottle is fabulously light and refreshing, exactly what you need when feasting over the festive period. It lacks the creamy feel of a typical Crémant, but has a bolder combination of fruits, with citrussy lemon and grapefruit, and green apples and pears. If you’re fed up with Prosecco then this is a must try!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%    
Find here: £8.99

Sainsbury's Pignoletto Brut

Pignoletto derives from ‘pigna’ meaning pinecone because of the tight grape clusters on the vine and has similarities with Prosecco. Made using the Grechetto grapes of Umbria, this is drier than a usual Prosecco and similar to the Crémant above, has the pear and apple combination alongside citrusy notes. The real reward here is the refreshment of the fizz and the bright and crisp flavours that make it extremely quaffable indeed.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11%
Find here: £7 (usually £9!)

Tesco Finest 1531 Blanquette De Limoux

If you were on the hunt for sparkling wine in 1531, this would be your only option because Blanquette de Limoux is the oldest sparkling wine in the world! Mauzac and Chenin grapes blend and age in the bottle for a year to create this light sparkling wine full of complex flavours of peach flesh and green apple. There’s a really pleasant soft acidity and interesting toasted brioche finish too. It really gives the more expensive wines and Champagnes a run for their money.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £9.50

Sainsbury's Crémant De Loire

This is another fantastic value option from Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference range, and one that’s picked up some serious gongs. Mostly Chenin Blanc with a touch of Chardonnay, it’s a dry fizz with heaps of richness and refreshment from cleansing chalky apple flavours down to the Loire Valley soils. This zesty rich combination is a winning one, and so easy to drink as a result. Bravo to the producer Bouvet Ladubay!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £10 (usually £12!)

Sainsbury's Cremant d’Alsace

From the same collection is Cremant d’Alsace. Cave du Roi Dagobert are renowned in the Alsace region and produce this in the traditional method where it spends over a year bottle aging. It’s rich and creamy as a result, with buttery brioche flavours. Running alongside that too is a vibrant freshness from orchard fruits and luxurious lemon curd notes, completing an extremely well-rounded fizz for the price point. It’s perfect for any celebration and would pair really nicely with smoked salmon.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £12

The Best Mid-Tier Sparkling Wine (£10-£29.99)

Graham Norton’s Own Prosecco DOC NV

Chat show king Graham Norton has brought to us a stunning Prosecco, opting for a classic ‘Extra Dry’ style which means it’s lovely and sweet as well as being sublimely light. Citrus and white flower aromas fill your nose, and the finish is refreshingly crisp to boot. It’s a fantastic conversation starting party fizz!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11.2%
Find here: £12

Invivo X Unity Prosecco Rosé

This is another bottle that has a link to Graham Norton, albeit indirectly. It’s the official wine of the Eurovision Song Contest and will be served at Liverpool next year! This Venetian wine feels suitably glam and celebratory too, with fresh strawberries on the nose and a lovely blend of green apple, orange and lemon filling the palate. A really feel good fizz for Christmas.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £12

Cave de Turkheim Crémant d'Alsace

Another delicious Crémant for the money here, standing out for its perfumed pink grapefruit and lychee, as well as a characterful tartness not always found in similar bottles. Delicate bubbles, super dry and silky smooth, this is a lovely introduction to Champagne alternatives.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £13.49

Castel Fagila Franciacorta Extra Brut

In the heart of the Franciacorta area of Calino, Castel Faglia opt for small garden-like pots rather than sprawling vineyards, bringing out different aromas to usual. Fresh fruit invites you in on the nose, and the following palate is super dry, with surprising structure and lively acidity. Think fresh toasted almonds and aromatic spice underlined with subtle citrus. Satisfying and well worth a try!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £15.50

Tissot-Maire Blanc de Noirs Cremant du Jura Brut

Sheltered in the mountains of the vineyard corridor between Burgundy and Switzerland is the Jura wine region. Maison Tissot-Maire in Arbois is the merger of two expert winemaking families making elegant wines like this. Using mainly Pinot Noir, wildflowers and ripe berries come through on the nose, before a fresh and powerful mouthfeel that has a strong mineral core. Redcurrant and spice fig show themselves amongst the fine bubbles for a stunning food-friendly wine.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £15.95

Graham Beck Blanc de Blancs 2017/18

Graham Beck and South African fizz have been going hand in hand since the 1990s, picking up award after award along the way using the traditional ‘Methode Cap Classique’ sparkling winemaking method. The Blanc de Blancs uses night picked Chardonnay for extra freshness, with in-your-face green aromas of lime, apple, and pear. It’s biscuity-rich, with notes of brioche and a special feel of indulgence. Put simply, it’s one of the best. Suitably magical for this special time of year.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £19.99

Tesco Finest Rose Champagne

Tesco brings us this wine in partnership with Union Champagne, a cooperative of 2000 winegrowers, 60% of whose land is Grand Cru rated, so you can be assured that the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes in this are top notch. It’s super dry with invigorating citrus and red fruits before a very delicate mousse finish. Definitely pop this bubbly when you’re bringing out any fruity desserts!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £24

The Best Top End Sparkling Wine (£30+)

Champagne Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve

Well, the top end was always going to include Champagne wasn’t it? In particular, this is a rich and weighty expression picking up a number of major awards. It’s ripe, it’s biscuity, it’s dense with mature fruit and a lively acidity cuts through with surgical precision. The average age of the Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier is a decade, with the younger additions bringing freshness, and the elders that complexity and spice. Full-bodied bubbly that oozes class and is a joy to explore.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £46

Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2018

You don’t need fluent French to identify ‘blanc de blancs’ as ‘white from white’ meaning white wine from white grapes. In the world of Champagne, this equates to the exclusive inclusion of Chardonnay grapes, and the same applies to English Sparkling wines. This bottle happens to be both. Gusbourne is a massive name in luxury English wine as it continues to win gong after gong. 2018 conditions left the Kentish fruits in fabulous condition, creating a wonderfully layered flavour. Riper notes of nectarines and clementines float above characterful green apples, whilst alluring lemon sherbet and pink grapefruit slice through. The creamy texture bows out for a toasted nut and brioche finish that really drives home. A benchmark British sparkling wine for sure. We love it.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £46

Rare Champagne Millésime 2008

We’ve touched on Charles Heidsieck, and now it’s Piper Heidsieck which originated in 1777. The first ambassador of their Champagne? Marie Antoinette no less. Since then, Piper Heidsieck drew connections with Old Hollywood and is one of the most prestigious, technologically advanced and well-funded houses around. In short, the Millésime Rare is absolutely delicious and very special indeed. 70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir, all grapes were sourced from Grand Cru villages. Delicate apricot pastry and orange zest tease the nose before the magic reveals itself. Pronounced vanilla tangles with fizzing fruitiness – pineapple, blood orange and a comforting continuation of patisserie flavours. Majesty and elegance to match the price tag and for any sparkling wine lover, this guarantees a magical Christmas treat.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £194

Refreshing, and light, we love Christmas fizz but variety is the spice of life, so if you want some reds, whites or even gins to complete your festive cupboards, we’ve scrutinised and deliberated to come up with our end of year best recommendations! Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

Words by Calum Ecroyd

The 20 Best Red Wines for Christmas 2022

We’ve been spoilt for choice when it comes to top-class red wine this year, whether that be £5 gems on supermarket shelves, mid-tiers packing a punch or precision excellence at the top end.

We’ve narrowed it down to the 20 eye-catchers that have that extra special something you need to try. They’re perfect for the magic of the festive season, whether that’s gifting or sipping away yourself! Without further ado, we’ll begin with some beautiful bottles you can easily find in your local supermarket...

Best Budget Red Wine Under £10

Mimo Moutinho Lisboa

Mimo Moutinho Lisboa continues the trend of Portuguese wine representing top notch value. Brimming with brambly, black and redcurrant spice, it’s bold and well worth trying if you want something a little different to usual. For under a fiver, it’s fantastic. Drink it with gamey meats, you’ll be surprised!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £4.49 Aldi

Tilting Tree Merlot

Velvety soft and delightfully easy drinking, Merlot is the Michael Bublé of wines. Bursting with aromas of sweet cherry, this bottle from the Asconi Winery in Moldova is refined beyond its price. It feels light on its feet with juicy plum flavour and a tantalising touch of eucalyptus too. Forget White Christmas, it’s Red Christmas at this price!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £5 Coop

Monte Plogar Cariñena Reserva

Six years aged, with leathery spice and tangy notes of tobacco leaf, this dry Spanish Rioja hails from the Cariñena region of the country, an area that is lesser known, hence the price. Rioja can easily be overpriced, so this is particularly good value and crying out to pair up with a leg of lamb or roast chicken. A crowd pleaser and wallet pleaser all in one!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £5.49 Lidl

Piccodoro Nero D'avola

There’s more fantastic value here with this stunning sipper from the gorgeous island of Sicily. It’s rich, rustic and figgy with comforting notes of cocoa, dark ripe cherries, and warm baking spice - a hug from the Italian nonna you never knew you had! All in all, it’s a tremendously food-friendly Nero d’Avola that’s perfect with pizza, or even richer stews and meats.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £5.75 Tesco

Dark Horse Malbec

Dark Horse is a fantastically rich and full-bodied red that shows what Californian Malbec has to offer. Plush and velvety, it’s bursting with juicy plums and blackberries, and a welcome hint of spice underneath. This will be a winner with most of your festive feasts, in particular pork and lamb and roasted veg! Nom!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £7 ASDA (usually £8.50!)

Graffigna Reserve Malbec

If you haven’t tried Graffigna Malbec yet this year, then this Christmas is the perfect time. From the Uco Valley in Argentina, it’s elegant, rich, and chocolatey with fruit forward notes of blueberry balanced by a crack of black pepper. For its price point, it’s an absolute steal!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £7.50 Sainsbury’s (usually £9!)

Best Mid-Tier Red Wine

Luigi Bosca Pinot Noir

Argentinian wines usually provide good value in the UK, and few more so than this Pinot from Mendoza. Lively in the mouth, this bright ruby red feels light and fresh, with subtle toasts from French oak ageing. It has a defined but delicate character, with black fruit notes playing off hints of smoke and spice simultaneously. Masterfully crafted, it’s a reflection of the heritage of the Bosca vineyard that’s still family run today. A go to with any seafood over the festive season.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.2%
Find here: £15.30 Vinvm

Orovela Saperavi 2015 Kakheti

The mind doesn’t jump to Georgia when we think of wine, but maybe that’s going to change? Waitrose have uncovered this Saperavi from Kakheti, one of the oldest wine-growing regions in the world. The vines that go into this unusual fruit-forward red are between 13-30 years of age and present tonnes of structure. It’s intense and brooding, with generous notes of cedar, meadow berries and chalky cocoa, all swimming in subtly spicy plum sauce. Autumn in a bottle, and a limited production apparently so be quick!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £16.99 Waitrose

Bodegas Arzuaga Navarro Laderas del Norte 2020

Say hello to the winner of Best Red Over £10 at the Wines From Spain Awards 2022. This is the first wine from Finca Valdesardon (Valdesardon Estate), a single organic vineyard in the heart of Ribera del Duero region. There’s characterful red fruits to be enjoyed, as well as curious balsamic tones, freshly brewed coffee and toasted notes from the 12 months in French oak. A vineyard to keep an eye on that’s for sure.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: €17.90

Clarendelle Bordeaux Inspired By Haut-Brion 2016

Haut-Brion inspired Clarendelle’s 2016 release is a benchmark Bordeaux with aromas of blackcurrants and red fruits tangling with floral overtones. Largely Merlot, there’s enough acidity to be surprisingly refreshing and with the silky-smooth tannins, it creates a mightily impressive blend.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: UK £19.99 Laithwaites // US $24.99

Susana Balbo Signature Malbec

The ultimate introduction to quality Malbec from the most renowned female winemaker in Argentina, Susana Balbo. This is a beautiful bottle with a deep violet hue, revealing glorious aromas of bundled blackberry, black cherry, and blueberry, all framed by touches of minty spice. Toasted vanilla and juicy plum flavours follow before a luxuriating velvety finish. Lovely.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: UK £22 Good Wine Online // US $24.99

 Talbott 'Kali Hart' Pinot Noir 2017/18, Monterey

Next up is this sublime, silky-smooth Pinot from the Kali Hart using the coveted cool-climate Santa Lucia Highlands in Monterey. These conditions create extremely concentrated grapes with a lively acidity and great flavour, perfect for Cali Pinot Noir. The vibrant red berried palate is dying to be served with Christmas Turkey, and the depth with oak, spice and minerality, alongside soft tannins, will keep you sipping all night long.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: £24.99 Majestic

Pinot Noir, Josten & Klein Vom Schiefer, 2018

Germany is underrated for Pinot Noir, or ‘Spätburgunder’ and actually produces the most after France and the U.S, with a steady flow of light, elegant and expressive creations... just like this! There’s luxuriating cherry chocolate flavour, but it doesn’t get bogged down so for a wine with so much depth and complexity, there’s an appealing lightness. A glass of this alongside a gluttonous Christmas Dinner and life’s good.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £23.50 The Good Wine Shop

Best Top End Red Wine

La Fiorita Rosso di Montalcino

This is the definition of an easy-drinking red using 100% Tuscan Sangiovese. The nose is somewhat mysterious in its delicacy, with faint pine. On taste, the expressive palate opens up with fruity black cherry and raspberry mixing with herbal notes and pepper. It’s medium bodied with silky light tannins and a bright finish you’ll want to come back to over and over. Stunning!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: UK £31.90 Hedonism // US $68.99

Boot Hill Pinot Noir, 2020 Gusbourne

Simply put, this is a classic Pinot, but expertly crafted. There are wild raspberries and red cherries on the nose and it treats you to such a smooth mouthfeel with all the plump red fruits you expect, and a grounding earthy minerality to complete the balance. Seriously well put together and fantastic alongside a roasted chicken with trimmings galore.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £35 Gusbourne

J Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

Nicole Hitchcock at J Vineyards focuses on cool-climate varieties in the sunny Russian River Valley, where many of the top American Pinots originate from – this is one such classic example. Notes of blueberry, raspberry and dark cherries fill out the flavour with just the right balance of oak and cocoa in support in what is by all accounts, an expertly crafted, moreish, and supremely well-rounded premium liquid. Bravo! Pair it with something along the lines of pork tenderloin with rosemary and apple, or even a goats cheese with spiced cherry!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.3%
Find here: UK £29.99 Vivino (usually £34.95!) // US $39.99

Chateau d'Esclans 2020 Rosé

A little step away from reds for a second here but what an incredible gift for any rosé lover this would be, one of the world’s greatest from a top producer slap bang in the heart of the Côtes de Provence. The carefully selected grapes are sorted electronically and manually several times over before they undergo a Burgundian style process, receiving a twice weekly stir in large oak barrels for 10 months, adding incredible structure and richness to the wine. Pure on the nose, it's weighty with vibrant peach and redcurrant and the beguiling combination of crisp acidity and creamy texture is so easy to love. Class. In. A. Glass.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £29.95 Fine Wine Direct (usually £50!!!)

Orin Swift Palermo Cabernet Sauvignon

Brace yourself for a delicious Cab with oomph. Cabernet, alongside Chardonnay helped put Napa Valley and Californian wine on the map in the 1970s, and they’ve only got better. Full-bodied and bold, this is a long journey of wine, bursting with berries to begin, and finishing with mellower notes of chocolate, leather, and even tea leaf. Give it some air to sing and you’re away! Any grilled or barbequed meats and get this cracked open. It’s utterly glorious... and dangerously moreish!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 15.5%
Find here: UK £59.95 Vivino // US $68.99

Tenuta di Arceno Arcanum Toscana 2015

We’re really into the higher price points now where any wines have to really prove their worth, and this wonder certainly does because it’s one of the best we’ve had the joy of experiencing. The ultimate dreamy date-night Tuscan red, it’s an Italian French love affair with rich tannins and magically intense dark fruits. These seductively tangle with indulgent dark chocolate, ripe cherries, raspberries rolled in black pepper and dark, juicy plums. So much has been experienced before the embracing finish of cherry compote and warming cedar spice that echoes and echoes in the mouth. Pure romance, pure excellence. Save this special wine for an equally special night and you won’t be disappointed!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: UK £90 // US $79.99

Siepi 2020, Toscana

Castello di Fonterutoli has been a stopping off point between Florence and Siena for over a thousand years, where everyone from traders to Emperors paused for refreshment. It’s in the heart of Chianti Classico and has been owned by the Mazzei family since 1435! In the 80s (very recent history for them!), they planted Merlot beside Sangiovese in their very particular terroir and this inky blend of both was born. It’s stunningly elegant, powerful, and complex. The aromatics of lavender, cloves, and mocha dance seamlessly, melding with brambly blue fruits, leather, and graphite with precision. There are dried herbs and spices, creaminess, and agile liveliness, it has everything. Divinely beautiful, and a magical experience for the drinker.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: £94

Maybe you’re more into bubbles or whites when it comes to wine. Well, relax because we’ve got you covered there! If it’s spirits you want to check out next though, then we’ve got gifting ideas for gin, vodka, tequila and rum waiting for you too.

Words by Calum Ecroyd

Perfect White Wine to Pair with Christmas Food

We’ve been hard at ‘work’ popping corks on the very best white wines at each price point in the run up to Christmas, and these are the crème de la crème.

Richer reds and Champagne are usually more associated with the festivities, but a White (wine) Christmas is much lighter and just as delicious, especially with the inevitable feasting weighing you down!

Perfect for seafood in particular, but also roasts, dive in and discover which delightful bottle to stock in your cupboard this Christmas.

Best Budget White Wine for Christmas

Amandla 'Our Future' Sauvignon Blanc

This is a new South African black-owned brand from one of the rising female stars in winemaking, Pray Dlamini, who hand picks grapes from the Western Cape and blends this zesty sunshine Chardonnay herself. It’s bursting with ripe and tropical notes. Think passion fruit, pineapple, and lemon. Food friendly too, look to serve this alongside fish or lighter chicken and pork meals.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £9 Sainsbury’s

Andrew Peace Chardonnay 2021

Back in 1980, Jim Peace found himself disenchanted with the rat race in Melbourne and when he passed a vineyard for sale, fate intervened, and he never looked back. His son is now chief winemaker at the cooler climate Victoria vineyard, releasing quality like this. It’s a soft marshmallow Chardonnay with subtle melon and a refreshing splash of citrus from the touch of Semillon included. It’ll sit nicely with any fish you’re cooking over the festive season, as well as softer, creamier cheeses. Elegant beyond the price tag!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £6 Coop

Adnams Muscadet 2021

Muscadet is a wine from decades gone by that’s been making a resurgence, with its clean, bone-dry neutrality proving very desirable. The grape itself here is Melon de Bourgogne but don’t be fooled into assuming this is from Burgundy as a result, it’s actually the stunning Loire Valley (confusing we know). It has the classic earthy, fleshy white peach and super refreshing nature you want from a Muscadet, and it’s just the ticket for shellfish!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £8.99 Lidl

Morrisons The Best Marques de los Rios Rioja Blanco

Fabulous value here with a white Rioja produced in partnership with Bodegas Eguia in Rioja Alavesa south of Bilbao. There’s a lot going on and an awful lot to love with waxy lemon rind notes, vanilla, ripe pear, a touch of sweet spice and some texture from the part aging in French oak. An easy drinking winner with roast chicken or turkey.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £7 Morrisons

Tesco Finest Albarino del Rey 2021

Using Albariño Grapes from Spain's Rias Baixas, this is exactly the kind of elegance we’ve come to expect from the region. Apricot aromas make way for a lovely lemon meringue pie feel, with zinging zesty citrus and comforting weight to it. It’s simply a superb white for under the £10 mark. Make it sing with hard cheese or fleshy fish.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £9.50 Tesco

Prima Luna Frascati

This Frascati is a cheap and extremely cheerful thirst-quenching wine. If you’re a fan of Pinot Grigio, then this has a touch more character with green apple hints and citrus notes, before a touch of bitter almond on the finish. It’s seriously solid for under £6. Give it a whirl with fish, or cold chicken at the Boxing Day buffet perhaps.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £5.75 Tesco

Caves des Roches Cotes de Gascogne 2021

If you’re drawn to Kiwi Sauvignon then this is one for you. A vibrant wine from Gascony in Southwest France, it carries tropical vibes with ripe grapefruit and juicy guava, culminating in a crisp finish. At 11% and £5, being this moreish isn’t too much of a problem!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11%
Find here: £5.25 Tesco

Co-op Irresistible Viognier 2021

‘Irresistible’ is spot on. This is serious Viognier with a classic profile of hefty weight, sweet peach and apricotty grape. This honeyed flavour is balanced by zingy acidity heightening the freshness. Really, this should be priced into double figures, but let’s hope they don’t because this is Helena’s house white! Any seafood and salads, pour this out.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £8 Coop

Co-op Irresistible Marsanne 2021

Jean-Claude is one of the star winemakers of the Languedoc and the brains behind this is fantastically put together perky white expressing the Marsanne grape in all its glory. It can be a tough wine to get right, hence why Marsanne is often blended with others to taper it but this is spot on. Think of ripe fruits like peach and pear as well as honey, all countered by a refreshing acidity that keeps you coming back for more. If you like the Viognier above, chances are this is worth picking up too!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £8 Coop

Perelada Només Garnatxa Blanca 2021

White Garnacha (Grenache) is on the up big time and hailing from the region of Empordà in Spain, this is a pure and great embodiment of that. Think weighty, fleshy, creamy white wine with notes of a curiously sweet hit of melon, vanilla, baked apple and white chocolate. This will be just as at home with nuts and cheeses as it will be with poultry – super versatile.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £11.95 Lekker Wines

Best Mid-Tier White Wine for Christmas

Adnams North Otago Chardonnay

With mountains all around, the Waitaki Valley hotbed of wine sits on the river of the same name on the idyllic North Otago, New Zealand. Nestled here is the family-run Forrest estate, growing grapes in white limestone soils with river gravel for mineral rich growth. This is a limited-edition Chardonnay that feels delightfully rich with a toasty, savoury feel. Popcorn and spice show themselves, alongside ripe fruit in a powerful white that is both creamy and chalky. Any meaty fish in rich sauces, this is your bottle.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £19.99 Adnams

Petit Chablis, Vielles Vignes, Domaine Dampt et Fils

The village of Chablis may be tiny, but its reputation and fame is anything but. Petits Chablis uses soils from just outside the area of the top Chablis wines, but with the Dampt estate employing the exact same standards when making it, you wouldn’t notice. The flavours are surprisingly concentrated and beautifully so, with earthy leafiness and chalky feel offsetting melon notes and a touch of noisette. Crisp, clean, well-balanced, and well-rounded – fantastic fundamentals. We think it’d be perfect with smoked salmon or prawns, something along those lines.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £17.99 Laithwaites

G de Guiraud Semillon-Sauvignon 2019

What a wine to fly the flag for white Bordeaux. Toasty, waxy with a zesty finish to pep the bottle up, this is an organically farmed blend with equal parts Semillon and Sauvignon. It’s aged in the old 1er Cru Sauternes barrels to inject real depth and complexity, throwing up notes of ripe peach, lychee, oatmeal, and light lemon. It’s a vibrant palate cleanser so it loves any food. Christmas turkey with every trimming in the book? Pour away.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £15 Coop

Domaine Claude Lafond 'cuvee Nathalie' Reuilly Blanc 2021

This Loire Sauvignon shares the soil with Sancerre, picking up many of the characteristics without the price tag. Every drop oozes class, with leafy lemon flavour, a hint of nuts and a comforting creaminess. Delicious saline finish too. Try it with goats cheese, trust us!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £14.99 Majestic

Domini Veneti 'Foscarino' Soave Classico DOC, 2021

It’s head-turning and mouth-watering stuff from this blend of Garganega, Trebbiano and Chardonnay. Produced from grapes nurtured in volcanic soil in the Soave Classico region, there’s a sturdy saline core with branches of tropical pineapple and citrus, all shrouded in a creamy texture that would work wonders with most seafood dishes. A top-notch all-rounder and faultless bang for your buck!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £10.99 Majestic

Grace Koshu Kayagatake 2021

We’re taking a left field turn off to Japan for a moment if it’s alright with you, because at the very least, you have to see the Koshu grape (seriously, Google it after this) – is it the best-looking grape on the planet?  Mesmerizing pink. The wine itself resembles Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio somewhat, with divine balances of lemon, grapefruit, peach and jasmine. It feels soft and juicy but subtle all over, all whilst being terrifically light if you enjoy that from your wine. Foods like salmon, or perhaps goat cheese will pair nicely.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11.5%
Find here: £19.99 Novel Wines

Best Top End White Wine for Christmas

La Chablisienne Chablis Grand Cru, Chateau Grenouilles, 2018

Now this would bring more than a dusting of magic to any Christmas gathering, more like sleighfuls! Only a tiny harvest of Chardonnay is grown on ancient terroir for this, before two years of oak aging. This is simply top of the Chablis tree. Beguilingly rich, as rounded as they come, with creamy citrus notes grounded by chalky, mineral character and a kiss of oak. It’s as lively and complex as you expect for the amount it’ll set you back, if not more! Bravo!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £74.95 Le Bon Vin

Gusbourne Guinevere Chardonnay 2020

Brace yourself for this stunner, a super elegant Chardonnay from Gusbourne in Kent. You’ll recognise some overlap with a white Burgundy, with ripe stone fruit, a touch of spice and reassuring texture from 10 months of oak barrel aging. The palate is saline and buttery, with mellow oak and vanilla notes, perfectly balanced by the slight acidity of lemon and lime. As well as being crisp and fresh, there’s intriguing complexity that’s dying to be explored so it’s a super satisfying English wine. A glass of this alongside any creamy fish or chicken pie and you’re laughing!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £35 Gusborne

If you haven’t been won around by white wine this Christmas then one, well done for making it to the end regardless, and two, we’ve got Christmas guides for beautiful reds and glorious bubbles too!

Words by Calum Ecroyd

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!

The Story of Malbec and the Uco Valley

This article is brought to you by Graffigna Genuine Collection Reserve Malbec from the Uco Valley, with its silky chocolate tones, concentrated black and red fruit notes, a hint of graphite and spice. 

Arguably the best loved red wine grape worldwide, Malbec is enjoyed by novices and experts alike. It’s usually one of the most reliable wines on a wine list and at its price point, it over delivers. Let’s take a quick look at why the quality of Malbec from Argentina particularly is only going one way. 

A brief history of Malbec

Malbec vines have been around a long time; as long ago as Roman times apparently. It first, famously found favour with Eleanor of Aquitaine and Francis I in southwest France, where these ‘black wines’ still feature Malbec as the key grape in the appellation of Cahors. So prized was it by the French royalty, they had Malbec planted around France, where it made its way to the blender’s paradise of Bordeaux where it was used in the famous red blends. When the phylloxera aphid plague decimated Europe's vineyards in the nineteenth century, it did not fare well eventually, much of it was replaced by the hardier Cabernet and Merlot varietals. To this day however, Malbec is still officially permitted in Bordeaux wines and is affectionately known as Pressac in some parts.

Luckily for Malbec, a group of Argentine winemakers, some of them European immigrants, sought the advice of a French agronomist called Michel Pouget to look at how to improve wine quality in the country. Being French, Monsieur Pouget looked to the fine wine region of Bordeaux in France and brought out a variety of grapevines, including Malbec, to Argentina. In these dry, sunny vineyards, Malbec thrived in quite a different way to how it had in France, making wines that were more fruit-driven, soft and in today’s terms, commercial. Quickly establishing itself as Argentina's flagship red grape, it spread out to all wine provinces from Salta in the north to Patagonia in the South, via, of course, Mendoza. 

Malbec across Argentina

Plantings of Malbec across the core winemaking provinces of Argentina of Salta, Patagonia and Mendoza have done much to showcase the diversity of the grape. Very generally speaking, for example, the Malbecs from the particularly high altitudes of luminous Salta, often give a deeper coloured Malbec, like dark, salted chocolate. Down in Patagonia, the style seems to be more on the crunchy, red raspberry side and in Mendoza, Malbec is more about baked blueberries and raspberries dipped in milk chocolate and wrapped in velvet. 

In more recent years, different terroirs within these key provinces have been identified, where each gives their own nuance to the grape and therefore, the wine style. Mendoza, for example, which is the largest wine province by far, responsible for 76% of the country’s area under vine, is divided into five large sub-regions. These are the Uco Valley (includes the departments of Tunuyán, Tupungato and San Carlos), the Primera Zona (including Luján de Cuyo and Maipú), the Northern Oasis (Lavalle and Las Heras), the East (San Martín, Rivadavia, Junín, Santa Rosa and La Paz) and the South (San Rafael, Malargüe and General Alvear). 

World Class Malbec in the Uco Valley

Much new research, investment and development has been done in Argentina to get the most out of its diverse terroirs and vines. It is the Uco Valley in the southwest of the region however, running along the Tunuyán River, that is largely considered to be the finest wine producing region not just in Mendoza, but in the whole of Argentina. Here, a killer combination of high altitude, snowmelt from the Andes and brilliantly draining alluvial soils combine with over 250 days of sunshine every year and huge temperature swings between night and day. The result is exceptionally high quality grapes that give wines that are particularly intense in aroma and flavour, deeply coloured and richly fruited. And it’s not just about Malbec here, although that is the key grape to be found; Semillon, Chardonnay, Torrontes, Cabernet Franc, Bonarda and Barbera grow exceptionally well here too, so look out for wines made with these!

The Uco Valley has also seen great investment in its wine tourism, so it’s a fantastic place to visit, not just to taste incredible wine, but to stay in luxury boutiques with top class restaurants and take in the epic views while walking, hiking, horse riding and much more.

Try this:
Graffigna Genuine Collection Reserve Malbec, 2020 (£9 from Sainsburys £7.50 when on promotion)

A fresh and fruit-forward Malbec, showcasing black cherry and plum notes blending harmoniously with a touch of spice from the oak. It’s a voluminous wine, friendly and intense, with a very good , full and complex midpalate and excellent tannic structure. Taste it with grilled or roasted meats and vegetables or alone with a blanket by the fire.

If you’ve enjoyed this, make sure you check out more wine content here.

The Best Boxed Wines For Christmas

Long gone is the reputation of boxed wines as vinegary hangover juice, so if you’re not already a convert then keep reading! Advancements in technology mean that the wine stays fresher for longer, and the knock-on effect is that decent wine producers are actually happy to trust the packaging. Boxed wine is also way greener to manufacture, transport and recycle, and last but not least, let’s not forget old trusty economies of scale, it's cheaper!

With Christmas around the corner, a boxed wine or two on the counter just makes things so much simpler. There’s no pressure to finish or open another bottle that might not get finished, you and your family can just help themselves, and if (big if), there’s any left at the end of the night, it can be popped in the fridge to stay fresh for weeks more. These days, the quality is top notch, and the boxes are so gorgeously designed they’re fit to be table centrepieces. Honestly, what’s not to like? So without further ado, here are some of our favourites that will definitely not disappoint.

Best Boxed Red Wine

Laylo Tinto de Estremoz

Laura and Laura (not a typo!) set up Laylo after being won over by all the benefits of boxed wine, but finding themselves disappointed in the lack of beauty in the box themselves. If bottles of wine can be stylish, why can’t the box? The Tinto de Estremoz design references the treasured stone that’s mined in the ‘marble city’ of Estremoz, including the prestigious Rosa Aurora marble. Inside, winemaking legend Donzilia Copeto has been trying to capture the perfect Portuguese Alentejo blend, and this bold and inky red is the result. Consisting of 5 local varietals and a dash of Merlot, this is full of juicy cherries and dark fruits, and velvet smooth tannins. Stunning inside and out!

Size: 2.25L
ABV: 14%
Find here: £36.99 Laylo

Terre di Faiano Organic Rosso

We’ve been banging on about this one for a while now, and for very good reason. Packaged like a chic Easter Egg, it’s a full-bodied blend of Negroamaro, Primitivo and Cabernet Sauvignon from Puglia. It’s juicy, figgy, plummy and organic as well as vegan! Silky smooth and towards the sweeter end, if you’re a fan of big, bold, chocolatey wine, this is for you. Pair it with hearty meats, stews and grilled veg and you’re on for a winning combination, so it’s ideal for those winter suppers going into the New Year!

Size: 2.25L
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £20.79 Waitrose (on offer till 29th Nov, usually £25.99)

BIB Wine Domaine Jean-Marc Astruc Fitou

We’ve been keeping an eye on the BIB Wine Company for a while because they’ve trailblazed the newfound popularity of luxury boxed wine. Their sleek and classy matt grey packaging with a changing artistic design has nailed it, and you’d be delighted to sit it on your countertop around Christmas. This high-end French blend from Languedoc is Southern France in a glass – it’s brambly, full of flavour and richly concentrated. Try it with a lamb roast if you’re part of the anti-turkey set!

Size: 2.25L
ABV: 14%
Find here: £36.20 The BIB Wine Co

Best Boxed White Wine

Tesco Australian Chardonnay

Value hunters stop here. Whilst this Chardonnay from the sunny vineyards of Southeast Australia might not blow you away, it is still wonderfully fruity, with ripe nectarines and juicy melons coming through. It’s an easy-drinking, soft white that provides unbeatable value for a laid-back Christmas. Get the tap flowing alongside the turkey or chicken Christmas roast because it’ll match nicely there!

Size: 2.25L
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £13 Tesco

BIB Wine TR Dry Furmint

Furmint, sometimes called Mainak, is a grape most widely known for making the famous Hungarian sweet wine of Tokaji. Furmints are becoming quite the regular on supermarket shelves, so the festive season could be a great time to see what the fuss is about? This is a dry but refreshing wine, with subtle notes of honeysuckle and pear. It’s likely to be a little bit different to many whites you’ve tried before and it’s very easy to love indeed. We recommend cracking it open when the Christmas cheese board comes wafting through!

Size: 2.25L
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £39 The BIB Wine Co

When In Rome Grillo Organic DOC Sicilia

When in Rome are another company pushing the envelope when it comes to boxed wine. Their box is probably the easiest to recycle too! No prizes for guessing which country they specialise in, and it’s the lesser-known Italian grapes that they particularly focus on. Grillo is a summery Sicilian grape, giving great orange freshness and a rustic core. Bonus points for being organic too of course. A little (or large) glass of sunshine over the holidays.

Size: 2.25L
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £25.99 When In Rome Wine (10% off if you subscribe to them!)

Best Boxed Rosé Wine

Nice Drinks Pale Rosé

This is a great option for the Rosé lovers over Christmas... and beyond, because the box stays fresh for 6 weeks after opening! How far technology has come. As the box says, this is a ‘proudly pale Rosé’, from Grenache grapes in the South of France. It’s dry, lively, crisp, and fresh, with a dried strawberry flavour. Yum!

Size: 2.25L
ABV: 12%
Find here: £21.50 Nice

These boxed wines would add to any Christmas table, and you know what else would? These special Boozy Christmas Crackers are just as stunning, and filled with not just wine, but beer, rum, gin and everything else!

Words by Calum Ecroyd

TalkTV: German Wines for Winter

German wines are creeping their way back into our hearts as we eschew heavy, tannic, alcoholic wines for more softly spoken, elegant and supremely drinkable options. If you think you wouldn’t recognise German wines, think again as many of the world's best-loved wine grapes thrive here - they are just often under different names and we can get scared off by the language and slightly confusing sugar levels. It’s worth noting however that German is home to home to nearly 135 different grape varieties, from the well-known and loved Riesling and Pinot Noir, to lesser known grapes like Albalonga and Zweigeltrebe. 66.9% of production is dedicated to producing knock-out white wine, with 11.5% dedciated to Pinot Noir, which is known here as Spätburgunder. Here are some quintessentially German, cool, calm and collected wines that are perfect for all year round - including your festive feasts!

Pinot Gris, ‘Urmeer’, Weinhaus, Germany, 2021

This Pinot Gris (that’s the grape) is a rich, ripe and round wine with notes of oatmeal and orchard fruit but balanced by elegant minerality and bright raciness. Try this as a foil for foods with a bit of spice. Hailing from Rheinhessen, this is a fresher and fruitier version of Pinot Grigio.

Find it for £8.99 at Waitrose

Definition Mosel Riesling, Loosen, Germany, 2020

Riesling is the supermodel grape of Germany and Mosel is arguably it’s most famous home within Germany. This is a classic style from here: zesty, like freshly squeezed lime with a hint of rubber minerality. on the nose. On the palate there’s a bit of sweetness, but it’s brilliantly balanced with razor-like acidity. Not cloying at all. Made by the famous Ernst and Thomas Loosen and will be awesome with hard cheeses and anything with a hint of spice.

Find it for £9.99 mix 6 price at Majestic

The Society’s Saar Riesling, Germany 2019

A riper, richer version of a classic Riesling with an intense, lime and slate nose and rather tropical palate. A fuller body than the previous wine and hailing from a specific part of the Mosel. This Riesling would be great with salty hard cheese and spiced Asian dishes or Mexican tacos. 

Find it for £11.50 at The Wine Society

Wine map of Germany

Also try…

Joaquim Flick, Nonnberg, Riesling trocken, Germany 

This is a great example of a dry Riesling, with its quintessentially racy acidity and notes of green apple, lemon citrus and rubber. Juicy and powerful on the palate, it’s a great one for goats cheese or even poultry. 

Find it for £11.46 at Vinello

Pinot Noir, Josten & Klein Vom Schiefer, Germany

Did you know that Germany is the world’s third largest producer of Pinot Noir?This country really does to fantastic, elegant, smooth and light-bodied Pinot Noir. Think silky cherry and milk chocolate but light on its feet, ballerina-style. This one has a real depth and cpm[lexity too. perfect for Christmas lunch with all the trimmings. bear in mind that the German name for Pinot Noir is Spätburgunder.

Find it for £23.50 at the good wine shop

The Best Boozy Christmas Crackers You Need To Try This Christmas

The fortune telling fish, miniature nail files and Dad jokes tumbling out of crackers on Christmas Day are enshrined in festive law and we wouldn’t have it any other way, but that’s not to say we can’t try for something a little more exciting, is it? 

These alcohol-filled crackers are perfect to spice things up a little on the big day, filled with whatever tipple takes your fancy! Whether it’s rum miniatures that pack a punch, create-your-own crackers, or cream liqueurs to get the Baileys open even earlier than usual, we’ve got it all covered and more!  

The Best Gin Christmas Crackers:

Fever-Tree Ultimate Gin & Tonic

If you’re a gin lover and you haven’t heard of Fever-Tree then we don’t know where you’ve been. They are about as reliable as it gets when it comes to premium tonic varieties, and this cracker set matches four of them wonderfully. The Audemus Pink Pepper Gin with Elderflower Tonic in particular is delightful, but there isn’t a bad option in the box!

Find here: £34 Box of 4

Franklin & Sons Gin & Mixers

Founded in Victorian London, Franklin & Sons are pioneers in the soft drinks space, using the best natural ingredients to churn out unique flavours and top-notch classics. Inside this beautiful box are six crackers with the same Christmas tree design, each containing an award-winning combo of gin and mixer. From classics like Rock Rose and Sipsmith Dry to newer innovations from Manchester Gin and Masons, this is a cracker pull you’d definitely want to win. 

Find here: £35 Box of 6

York Gin

York Gin orchestrates its range of stunning gins around the history of the equally beautiful city of York. Their box of six contains one of each flavour, telling the story from the Roman foundations (Roman Fruit) to the Chocolate Orange flavour honouring the iconic Terry’s, whose factory was just a couple of miles from the York Gin distillery. A 100% renewably powered distillery, with a great concept and award-winning gin to back it up – not a bad thing to pull out of a cracker at all!

Find here: £60 Box of 6 (or £10 for 1)

The Best Mixed Spirit Christmas Crackers:

The Lakes Distillery

Each swanky cracker contains one premium 50ml miniature to experience the range of products the Lake District distillery has on offer. There’s a classic Lakes gin that doesn’t shy away from vibrant juniper, and a zesty pink grapefruit version too. As promised, this is a mixed set, but that mix is completely up to you. You can select whichever four from those two gins, or a fruity, gently smoky whisky, as well as a very alluring salted caramel vodka liqueur! Or you can have all four the same, but a surprise element when you’re opening is nice wouldn’t you agree?

Find here: £20 Box of 4

Lakeland Spirits Mix

You get the best of both worlds with these crackers. Not only are there miniatures of the UK’s most popular spirits in Bacardi, Baileys, Smirnoff, and Beefeater, but you also still get the terrible jokes and hats that come with your standard cracker...there’s no escaping them!

Find here: £39.99 Box of 6

The Best Beer Christmas Crackers:

Bier Company

These beefy crackers will need a real tug of war to break them open, and that’s because they contain not one but two premium craft beers each! Also included in these stylishly designed colourful crackers are the usual party hats, riddles and jokes we all know and love.

Find here: £39.95 Box of 5 (£12.95 for 2)

Black Sheep Brewery

This Yorkshire brewery’s crackers are ideal for experimenting with a range of intriguing beers. You simply select how many of each you want from their list of nine. So, you could throw in two reliable Riggwelters, and then add on one Pineapple Milkshake IPA and a Monty Python’s Holy Grail Ale? You’ve got a really inviting selection with plenty of classic and unusual IPAs, Ales and Stouts, so it’s up to you – that’s the beauty of it!

Find here: £5.50 per cracker

The Best Whisky Christmas Crackers:

Drinks by the Dram

This selection of six bowtied crackers arrives in a lovely box, each containing a 30ml wax-sealed mini dram from a curated selection of fine whisky producers. For example, there’s the award winning softly sweet Glengoyne 10-Year-Old, the rich and peaty palate of Smokehead, or the experimental World Whisky Blend, which has combined single malts, single grains, and bourbons of all kinds into one. It’s a nice selection that will please beginners and seasoned dram drinkers all the same!

Find here: £39.95 Box of 6

The Best Cream Liqueur Christmas Crackers:

Hotel Chocolat

Hotel Chocolat has put together 50ml bottles of, ‘Velvetised Creams’, with real chocolate, crisp vodka, and silky cream. These would be perfect to save for a Boxing Day boozy hot choc, or if you can’t wait (we don’t blame you), enjoy them as an after-dinner digestif. You can expect two original chocolates, two salted caramels, one mint, and an Espresso Martini version, all super decadent and definitely worth fighting over... or diplomatically swapping, whatever works. 

Find here: £24.95 Box of 6

Baileys

Well, it’s a Christmas list so it was only a matter of time before Baileys showed up! These four colourful crackers complete the table, with two 50ml Irish Creams, a Coffee Liqueur, and an Orange Truffle flavour too. It’s the only cream liqueur to be awarded a World Spirits Medal every year since 2003 and when it’s so synonymous with Christmas, how can you not want it around? 

Find here: £14.99 Box of 4

Aldi Ballycastle 

The quality that comes with some of Aldi’s own versions of much-loved products is no longer a secret, and in terms of value, these 50ml Ballycastle creams are hard to beat. Inside there’s the classic, Chocolate & Clementine, Espresso, and White Chocolate, which sounds like a gloriously indulgent selection to us, just what every Christmas feast demands. 

Find here: £7.99 Box of 4

The Best Rum Christmas Crackers:

Sly Dog Spiced

Don’t worry rum lovers, because behind those ominous eyes is a Sly Dog miniature, filled with a Jamaican and Dominican rum blend and their secret recipe of spices. This is a sublime spiced rum with perfect balance, picking up Gold at the World Rum Awards in 2022. If you want something to crack open after the cracker itself that really hits the spot, then this is it. 

Find here: £30 Box of 4

The Best Cocktail Christmas Crackers:

Candy Cane Fizz & Berry and Bright Gin

Now this a box that screams luxury. The Cocktail Man in London has pulled together Chase GB Gin with his secret signature Sliqueur giving you everything you need to get started on that Christmas cocktail. You also get garnish, hats, jokes and don’t worry, there are very clear cocktail instructions because the last thing you need is another thing to get sorted on the big day. 

Find here: £59.95 Box of 4

The Best Vodka Christmas Crackers:

J.J Whitley 

J.J Whitley has been making spirits for 260 Christmases now (since 1762 that is by the way, just in case our maths is off), so it’s no wonder that they’re still winning awards on a yearly basis. It’s lovely and fresh on the nose and unravels into a creamy and full-bodied delight... and that’s just their Artisanal original! You’ll also get to try Vanilla, Raspberry, Watermelon & Lime, Blood Orange, and finally Passion Fruit. Serve them as chilled as a Christmas Day and you’ll be sure to have a jolly one!

Find here: £15.99 Box of 6

The Best Wine Christmas Crackers:

Virgin Wines 

You get more booze for your buck with these classy crackers, as each one reveals a 187ml bottle of fabulous wine. There’s Aussie Pinot Grigio, South African Chardonnay Viognier (which would be great with the Christmas dinner itself), Chilean Merlot, French Malbec, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and South African Cinsaut. Something for everyone

Find here: £35.99 Box of 6

Virgin Wines Prosecco

If Prosecco is more your thing, then Virgin still have you covered. Each cracker contains a 200ml Extra Dry Senti, an exquisitely crisp and fruity Prosecco with the perfect amount of fizz. Prosec-ho-ho! (Had to be done.)

Find here: £36.99 Box of 6

Create Your Own Christmas Crackers

Lakeland Fill-Your-Own

Often the most memorable moments around Christmas time involve personalised gifts and decorations, that show you’ve gone the extra mile and thought about the people you’re with. That’s why Lakeland have created these fill-your-own crackers. They arrive with some festive embossing and minor decoration, but it’s down to you to personalise them and fill them with whatever you like! If you know someone loves a particular drink but it can’t be bought in a cracker, then what a pleasant surprise for them to find it!

Find here: £14.99 Box of 6

If you’re now ramping up Christmas preparations, then why not booze-up the advent calendar as well as the crackers? Who says they’re just for kids? We’ve compiled our Favourite Advent Calendars For 2022, each one with a tasty treat behind every door!

Words by Calum Ecroyd