The Best Wine to Gift this Christmas

Bringing the right wine is always difficult to get right. Whether it’s as a present, or to hand over when you’re let in, we’ve hunted down the best wines to gift this Christmas.

Now, we’ve kept it tight on the purse strings to recommend some reds and whites that come in at under £10, but taste far more expensive. Okay, one of the sparkling wines goes over budget, but it’s so worth it. These are wines that seriously impress, and they’re great alongside Christmas foods too!

The Best Red Wines to Gift This Christmas

Castellore Primitivo

This is probably Aldi’s best wine for under £10, brimming with bold, rich, and intense dark berry flavours. Earthy spice keeps everything grounded, and there’s enough pleasant acidity to cut through those Christmas foods before a jammy, silky-smooth finish. It’s a winner with any tomatoey dishes too.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £6.29

Greasy Fingers Luscious Red

Smooth and food-friendly too. Grenache delivers the sweetness, and Shiraz brings the rich fruits in this delicious Australian blend. You can find it at most of the UK supermarkets because it’s so popular and moreish. It’s one of those joyful wines that is made for sharing with friends, and perfectly suits red meats or Italian dishes.

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

American Gothic Lodi Zinfandel

Named after the instantly recognisable painting adorning the bottle, this is a robust and rich Cali Zinfandel that demands the drinker’s attention. First, the smooth mouthfeel, and second the marriage of juicy plum and smooth blackberries, all underlines by elegant toasted oaky tobacco notes. Dangerously drinkable, and as good as wines twice the price.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £9.99

B. Ink South Australia Red Blend

Pretty remarkable at this price, this Australian red delivers the signature opulence you want and so much more. Inky by name and inky by nature, velvety tannins mix with up front jamminess, raspberries, and dark chocolate. But that’s not all, because vanilla and cinnamon notes layer up this beauty to make it the gift that keeps on giving.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: £8 (usually more!)

The Best White Wines to Gift This Christmas

Te Pā Signature Series Sauvignon Blanc

This mouthwatering Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc leans into the classic tropical notes of this style, delivering an adventure of ripe fruits – think nectarine, gooseberry, passion fruit and guava. Beyond this though, there is a minerality with chalk and a purity and crispness to the finish that is perfect between Christmas bites.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £9

Pinot Gris Urmeer Löss

This is another Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc punching above its price point, carrying herbaceous grassy hints, passion fruit, and concentrated gooseberries and peaches. Zesty acidity meets fruity sweetness, with a touch of peppery spice at the end – it’s easy to love.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £9.49

Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc

If you know someone into Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs, then we’d stunned if they weren’t on board with this. The grapefruit zips around the palate which is so moreishly bright and light, especially served chilled. Clean, zesty refreshment makes this this a winner that delivers way beyond its price. It’s gorgeous with chicken and lighter fish too.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £9

Freixenet Pinot Grigio

The bottle screams gift, but to become as well-regarded as Freixenet have, the liquid inside needs to be spot on, and it certainly is. Born in the picturesque vineyards of Garda, it brings a bit of Italian sun to Christmas with delicately poised florality, fruits and crisp citrus. The elegance to value ratio is tremendous.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11.5%
Find here: £8 (usually more!)

The Best Sparkling Wines to Gift This Christmas

Morrisons The Best English Sparkling Brut Vintage 2010

The price of this has been much higher previously, but at £18 you have to give it a go. Being an English fizz, it makes for an interesting gift because not everyone knows about the staggering improvement English sparkling wines have enjoyed. This will show them. 8 years of age bring deep biscuity notes and crisp orchard hints and the fine bubbles rival Champagne.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11.5%
Find here: £18

Martini Asti Sparkling Italian Wine D.O.C.G

It is Martini, but this is a very different drink all together. Unique Italian single-fermentation of the Moscato Bianco grape deliver natural flavours of melon, peach, and green apple, each lighter and lovelier than the last. Intertwining is a hint of brioche, and combined with those gorgeous bubbles and cutting acidity makes this one of the best palate cleansers available. Hearty meats, soups, potatoes… and even white chocolate – try it and surprise yourself (once your giftee has first of course).

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11.5%
Find here: £6.99 (usually more!)

We’ve searched high and low for the best drinks gifts this year, so whatever you’re looking for on the website, we’ve got it. We didn’t include Champagne for the cost, but these Our Best Champagnes. We also have Vodka, Tequila, Sherry and well, there are just too many to link, so if you’re struggling with a bottle that will impress someone, take a look.

The Best Sherry to Sip on this Christmas

Far, far too many drinkers are disregarding Sherry as an overly sweet, fortified wine that only your Nan drinks and missing out on a really varied and delicious world.

With Christmas coming up, there is no better time to give it another go, because between the tangy crispness of the paler expressions, and the richer complexity of the darker liquids, you’re bound to find one you fall in love with.

We’ll touch on the styles as we go, but for a more detailed breakdown, check out our handy ABC Guide to Sherry Styles.

Fino

Tio Pepe Fino

When it comes to Sherry, Fino is the epitome of bone-dry crispness. Palomino fino grapes (hence the name) are what’s used, and this Tio Pepe Fino is so dry, with no sweetness. Instead, it cuts through with salted almonds and umami touches, and makes an incredible dance partner with salty snacks. It won’t be for everyone, but those that love it really love it.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 15%
Find here: £13 Sainsbury’s (£10 Nectar price)

Manzanilla

M. Antonio de la Riva Manzanilla Fina Miraflores Baja N.V.

Manzanilla styles like this take on the salts in the soil and the air from being made in the port of Sanlúcar, as well as humidity meaning more yeast (flor), and therefore more protection against oxygen… meaning supreme lightness and freshness. This is a particularly complex Manzanilla, with nutty, olive-y lightness and salinity right through to the finish.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 15%
Find here: £24.50

Amontillado

Gonzalez Byass Vina AB Amontillado

Amontillado Sherry takes up a similar position to Fino, but with more exposure to oxygen in the oak barrels (butts) and longer ageing, there’s a noticeably darker colouring and complexity, with richer, nutty flavours. This Gonzales Byass is a fantastic representative of the style, bringing super smooth, intense, almonds and raisins. The nose is sweeter than the palate, which is wonderfully dry, with a savoury umami profile.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 16.5%
Find here: £16.50

Palo Cortado

Very Rare Palo Cortado

This style falls somewhere between Amontillado and Oloroso, delivering freshness from the former, and complex body from the latter. It’s the trendiest style of Sherry if you want to look like you know what you’re talking about, and this bottle is delivers dry intensity with citrus tang, as well as plummy almond notes.

Size: 375ml
ABV: 19%
Find here: £8.50

Pedro Ximenez

San Emilio Pedro Ximenez Solera Reserva Emilio Lustau - HALF BOTTLE

PX is where you go for your sweetness, named after the grape, that makes it, and therefore standing out from the other styles. Semi-dried grapes give all that natural sweetness, the texture is far treaclier, and the colour is an extremely dark red. The prestigious Lustau are behind this indulgent Sherry, filled out with lush chocolatey raisins, dried figs and toffee.

Size: 375ml
ABV: 17%
Find here: £13.65

Oloroso

Sandeman Armada Superior Cream Oloroso Sherry

One of the most famous styles, Olorosos like this develop because of a lack of yeast (flor), so you get a deliciously dark, rich, and complex expression like this mahogany gem, with notes like cocoa and fig popping up and a velvety lingering aftertaste.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 17.5%
Find here: £11

If you’re after more recommendations for drinkers to stock up on this Christmas, or perfect gifts,  then we’ve got tonnes of guides up on the site now, like Rum, Gin and Champagne.

Supermarket Wine Bargains: Morrisons December 2023

 Morrisons have got some eye-catching deals on wines we love this December, so we’ve picked out the best bargain bottles that we love. There’s crisp whites, fruity reds and refreshing rosés, and every single one comes in at under £10, so they’re absolute must tries.

Morrisons Red Wine Discounts December 2023

Mucho Mas Black Label Red

Between Madrid and Cadiz lies Félix Solís, one of the largest family-owned wineries in the world, and this is their easy-drinking red. It’s juicy with ripe plums, berries, and figs, rounded out by vanilla and pepper and is a solid mid-week red for this price.

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

Greasy Fingers Luscious Red

This is moreish blend of Australian Shiraz and Grenache is a mainstay of multiple UK supermarkets because of its popularity. The Grenache brings delicious sweetness, and the Shiraz fills out the expression with rich, fruity flavours. Smooth and food-friendly too.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £8 (usually £10)

19 Crimes The Banished

This famous series is inspired by the people shipped to Australia in the 18th century for a life of hard labour and the generations that came from them. It’s full-bodied and full of fruit – think plum, cherry, and blueberry, with touches of leathery smoke. Forget delicate, this is intense and inky and demands you pay it attention.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £9 (usually £10)

Carnivor Zinfandel

This is exactly what you want from a California Zinfandel – robust, nicely structured, and jammy. With a myriad of dark fruity flavours and gentle spice, it screams carnivore companion.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: £9 (usually £10.50)

Morrisons White Wine Discounts December 2023

Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc

Oyster Bay’s Sauvignon Blanc is a rock steady Marlborough expression, bright and light with grapefruit citrus and acidic zip. Serve it chilled to extract all that clean, zesty refreshment and you’re laughing for a tenner.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £7.99 (usually £11)

Workshop Mastercraft Sauvignon Blanc

This is another Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc punching above its price point, carrying herbaceous grassy hints, passion fruit, and concentrated gooseberries and peaches. Zesty acidity meets fruity sweetness, with a touch of peppery spice at the end – it’s easy to love.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £8 (usually £11.50)

Te Pā Signature Series Sauvignon Blanc

Yet another Marlborough option, Te Pā is rich with ripe guava, nectarine, gooseberry and most noticeably, passion fruit. This tropical ripeness leads into chalky minerality and a crisp and pure finish that is very satisfying indeed.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £8 (usually £10)

Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Cellar Selection

A distinct herbaceous nose invites you into this Marlborough white, which blossom into a zesty grapefruit palate that leaves a natural, pure, and crisp impression. Lychee, pear and soft acidity fill out the profile for a balanced and flavourful Sauvignon.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £10 (usually £13)

Morrisons Rosé Discounts December 2023

Mirabeau Forever Summer Rose

Maison Mirabeau are specialists in Provence Rosé, making the absolute most of their sun-drenched vineyards. Notes of nectarine and rose fill out a summery nose, and the palate is a deliciously dry and crisp red berry parade.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £9 (usually £11)

Freixenet Italian Rose

Shimmer, shimmer, these Freixenet bottles have become a familiar sight, and their Italian Rosé is well worth picking up. It’s made from Corvina and Garganega Blanc, the classic Veneto grapes, exuding a pink perfume of cherries and strawberries. Flowery, soft apricots are noted before a strong strawberry finish, and all in all, it’s very good stuff for £9.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11.5%
Find here: £9 (usually £10)

Castillo D'Ibiza Rose

Inside this beautifully curvaceous bottle is a dry, pale Rosé from Pernod Ricard in Spain, blending Tempranillio and Garnacha grapes for zingier, tart refreshment than you might expect. Citrus and minerality come through with the same intensity as the strawberry, which makes this one of the better food-friendly options.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £9.50 (usually £12.50)

We have Supermarket Wine Bargains on the website for most of the UK supermarkets, and we’re always busy updating them when the latest offers arrive so keep your eyes peeled for not only Morrisons’ next bargain wines, but Aldi, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s etc. too.

Christmas Drinks Essentials for Your Home Bar

If you’re hosting Christmas guests, then a well-stocked ready to go home bar is a must have. You’ll probably have a lot of these in anyway, but this guide just helps fill any gaps in your inventory so that everything festive drink is catered for.

Of course, Christmas is the perfect time to put a home bar to good use, but they’re a great feature to have all year round. Whether it’s going the whole hog, and carving a small, bespoke area for it, or just expanding on the drinks cupboard, take a look at our guide on creating the perfect home bar here. Before you do that though, let’s dive into the Christmas drinks essentials! We have tonnes of recommendations for specific bottles across the website, and we’ll link to some throughout, so you know where to go.

Christmas Spirits

The star of the cocktail, spirits are obviously essential, but wide-ranging and expensive too. If you’re planning on making some festive cocktails, then vodka is the most popular cocktail spirit, so it has to be included (these our are favourite wallet-friendly vodkas). However, this is where you will need to cater to your guests. If you know what they like, then we’d recommend buying a premium bottle of this, or multiple, and only getting a budget option for a less popular spirit.

Gin’s resurgence continues, and it’s probably the most popular British spirit in the 2020s so far, so a bottle or two would be wise – perhaps a London Dry and a flavoured gin (we have some recommendations here). We also think gin bottles are the most beautiful available, so they spruce up the home bar nicely.

A Whisky is a must, not just for cocktails and simple serves, but for cosy winter warmers like Hot Toddies and Irish Coffees in the evening. A good Scotch should suffice unless you’ve got serious dram drainers round, in which case branch out with a Bourbon and Irish Whiskey too.

Of course, Rum is another big one that people will likely want to sip on, and in an ideal world you’d be stocked up with a light and a dark, but if you aren’t sure what guests will want, go dark – it’s used in more wintery recipes, and works great in the Christmas punch.

Christmas Syrups

If you’re into cocktail making, syrups are a mixology essential and can transform drinks. Christmas syrups are also a fantastic way of making drinks feel festive and special, rather than just the same drink as any other day of the year. They’re surprisingly easy to make yourself, as we have shown here! A simple syrup is always good to have available (and it can rescue an underwhelming drink), but being able to easily elevate serves with cinnamon, winter spice, cranberry, ginger etc. will be a guaranteed hit

Christmas Liqueurs

The first name here has to Baileys. Served simply with ice, or in a Baileys Hot Choc, its quintessential Christmas drinking, and someone will want one at some point. If you want to give Baileys some competition this year, then believe it or not, there are similar cream liqueurs that a lot of people actually prefer. Take a look!

Elsewhere, coffee liqueurs like Kahlua are handy for lots of cocktails and have a rich, Christmassy profile and Amaretto has the indulgent, nutty sweetness that suits the season.

You can liqueurs for pretty much anything, from classic flavours to eyebrow raisers. The Giffard range is expansive and they stock pretty much every kind of liqueur you can think of to a high level, so browse their collection and see if something takes your fancy.

Christmas Wines

Wines depend hugely on the people you’re anticipating to host. If they’re into wines, then it’s easy to get carried away with all sorts of bottles, for solo sipping or different foods. Alongside spirits and mixers, sparkling wine is the most bought drinks product for the festive season, so you have to have this in your home bar without a question. Prosecco is the most bought, but Cava and Crémant are other fantastic value alternatives for bubbly cocktails and nostalgic classics like Bucks Fizz. They also wash down food nicely. Of course, Champagne is an option if you want to spend a little more.

For Reds, if you want to play it safe, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are universally popular across the world, but Malbec and Shiraz take the top two spots in the UK, so a couple of different varieties should cover your needs.

With Whites, you really can’t go too wrong with crisp whites like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio – the UK’s favourites.

As we say, if you’ve got some oenophiles round, then you probably want to try something more niche, or buy in a greater range of wines, and if cheese and wine pairings are expected, then things get a tad more complicated but we’ve got a guide on dream cheese and wine marriages here.

Christmas Glassware

Proper glassware is what takes your home bar to that next level, contributing towards an authentic bar experience. But don’t get us wrong, it’s not the be all and end all, and there’s no need to empty your wallets for all the different glass variations. You’ll likely be stocked up with many of these already, so it’s probably just a case of filling in some of the gaps.

A few wine glasses will of course be needed, ideally with smaller glasses for whites and larger for reds. Get some flutes for sparkling wine serves like Bucks Fizz, some rocks glasses for spirit-forward serves, and particularly if you’re getting the cocktail shaker out, some tall/Collins glasses for more elaborate serves. Let’s not forget a pint glass for the beer and cider drinkers too.

Christmas Mixers

They’re the most popular mixers for a reason, so getting some Coca-Cola and lemonade in is first priority. Beyond that, some delightful tonics for G&Ts, cocktails or diluting neat spirits. Ginger beer is also in keeping with the warmth and spice of the season, and a popular mixer for a variety of highball serves. Lastly, if you’re planning on making cocktails, then fruit juices are a must. If you don’t want to make your own, then apple, orange and cranberry are the most useful to have stocked.

Christmas Garnishes

Garnishes are another undervalued step in creating an authentic bar experience and give drinks that special little something that they deserve to have over Christmas. Fresh lemon and limes are the most obvious essential, bringing zingy citrus and refreshment to so many serves. Oranges and cherries are other popular garnishes in the fruit department.

Ground cinnamon and cinnamon sticks will both be useful, the former for the rim of the glass and sprinkling on cream, and the latter for infusing with hot drinks. You can go as far as you like with garnishes really, because whilst the cocktail umbrellas might be a little out of season, you’ll find herbs like rosemary and thyme cropping up in recipes, as well as edible flowers, chocolate dustings, nutmeg, and all sorts.

A home bar is all about making it work for you, stamping your personality on it with preferred drinks and design, but the above is a guide to the essentials that will keep everybody pleased (or most people, at least – we can’t guarantee the satisfaction of all relatives). For more ideas, pay a visit to our in-depth guide, and browse our website for up to date recommendations on all kinds of drinks.

Best Boxed Wines to Get in For Christmas

It's been fantastic to see how far boxed wine has come. Gone are the days of it being student hangover juice because the technology has improved, and top producers now trust boxes to house their wine. Hooray!

If you’ve got people over, or you’re just fed up with throwing away leftover wine, then these boxes last for much longer, and they’re also a much greener way to package wine... and they work out cheaper per bottle! What’s not to like?

Best Boxed Red Wine

Banrock Station Shiraz Cabernet

This is a lovely box of dry Aussie Shiraz Cabernet, brimming with lofty, bright plum fruits and rich with dark chocolate, coffee, and a little spice on the finish. Not only that, but Banrock do great environmental work, planting 100,000 native trees every year.

Size: 2.25L
ABV: 11%
Find here: £19.50 (£6.50 per 750ml)

Terre di Faiano Rosso IGP Puglia Organic

This Italian red catches the eye with its gorgeous blue tube packaging, and the liquid inside doesn’t let it down. It’s super juicy and full-bodied, absolutely brimming with very ripe dark berries, fragrant vanilla, and cocoa dusted dried fruits. For a sweeter, flavoursome boxed red, this is fantastically easy drinking and also cheese-friendly – particularly the salty stuff.

Size: 2.25L
ABV: 11%
Find here: £22.39 (usually more!) (£7.47 per 750ml)

Laylo Lot #10 Malbec

Laylo probably make the best-looking boxed wines on the market, perfect for sprucing up a Christmas countertop. But this isn’t a display piece, what does the actual wine taste like? You normally associate Malbec with rich Argentinian bottles, or more disciplined French varieties, but this is Spanish! Soaking up all that heat, you get a silky smooth expression delighting with ripe plum, mulberries and blueberries, as well as the signature cocoa from Argentinian styles.

Size: 2.25L
ABV: 13%
Find here: £34.99 (£11.66 per 750ml)

Best Boxed White Wine

Sainsbury's Coolwater Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Taste the Difference

Rock solid New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc here, produced by Yealands Estate in the Awatere Valley. It’s refreshing and zesty with racy acidity and crisp mineral finish.  

Size: 2.25L
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £20 (£10 per 750ml)

Soave Cantina di Soave

A very pleasant Italian white from the Veneto region, Soave overlaps with Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris, but with a bit more richness. In this case, there are hints of orchard fruits, bright citrus and a food-friendly dry, crisp quality that makes a great choice for Christmas grazing.

Size: 2.25L
ABV: 11.5%
Find here: £18.99 (£6.33 per 750ml)

Tállya Radicals Dry Furmint 2022

This classy number uses Furmint, the same grape used in the famous sweet Hungarian wine Tokaji. We’re seeing more and more Furmint wines on supermarket shelves and it’s great to see. This wine is dry, fruity, and mineral, with unique aromatics and hints of honey suckle and pear. The lick of lime coursing through is electrifying too. Start pouring it alongside the cheese boards and you’ll be in Christmas heaven.

Size: 2.25L
ABV: 13%
Find here: £43.32 (£14.44 per 750ml)

Best Boxed Rosé Wine

M&S La Dame En Rose

This is a top everyday Rosé from the Terres du Midi region of South France, with a pleasant bouquet of white flowers and palate teeming with red fruits. It’s a versatile, food-friendly wine that will do well alongside most fish, chicken and salads, so can serve as a steady go-to over the festive period.

Size: 1.5L
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £16 (£8 per 750ml)

ASDA Extra Special Pinot Grigio Rose Boxed Wine

You might not be able to see it straight away but start pouring and the delightful ballet-shoe hue is so inviting. This Italian pink balances the key Rosé characteristics so well – the sweet red fruits, and the crisp dryness. It feels light on its feet, but has enough flavour and substance to stay interesting for the entire 3 bottles worth you get.

Size: 2.25L
ABV: 12%
Find here: £17.95 (£5.98 per 750ml)

These are perfect countertop wine boxes for guests to keep topping up with, but if you’re still on the hunt for special gifts, then you have to take a look at these unique bottles – they’re unforgettable presents.

Your Perfect Wine and Cheese Pairing Guide

Cheese and wine are an iconic match for good reason, so if you’ve never got round to pairing them or just want some mouth-watering combinations to try, then what better time than Christmas time?

From fizz to reds to whites and sweeter wines, we’ve paired your favourites with delicious cheeses that bring the best out of both of them and serve as great ambassadors for what the fuss is all about. Let’s get stuck in.

SPARKLING WINES

Champagne

For a luxurious pairing, try pairing Champagne with Truffle Brie. Brie is deliciously fatty, which coats the mouth and the super-fine bubbles of the Champagne slice through and cleanse with their sharpness, setting you up for another bite of brie, and so the heavenly cycle continues. Flavour wise, the earthy, creamy richness of the truffle brie compliments the toasty, brioche notes of Champagne. Aged Comté would go deliciously too, playing up to Champagne’s buttery and nutty notes. Any good, biscuity Champagne with mature, lively acidity would work, like the one below.

Champagne Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve - £55

Cava

For Cava, look to hard sheep milk cheeses like Manchego, or Berks well. You get the nutty characteristics from the aging, with a slightly granular texture, caramel notes, and a tang to the finish. Similarly, to Cava, the toasty, nutty and caramel flavours develop with age, so the two converge somewhat. The gentle sweetness in the cheese is a natural partner for sparkling wine. An aged Cava like below brings gorgeous pastry and pear flavours, with refined fizz and fresh acidity.

Bodegas Sumarroca Brut Reserva 2019/20 - £13.95

WHITE WINES

Chardonnay

For Chardonnay, look to alpine-style cheeses. However, be aware that unoaked Chardonnay is crisp, and lean, whereas oaked chardonnays are more associated with toasted or vanilla notes. Provenance matters too, as the grape is malleable. From cool-climate citrus and minerality, to hotter California ripeness and full-bodied fruit – this affects the pairings. Think Beaufort for unoaked/mildly oaked cool-climate Chardonnay, with smooth, creamy texture and distinct, earthy aromas. For warmer-climate, oaked Chardonnay, go big and bold. Think buttery, creamy alpine-style cheeses like Comté Vieux with full, nutty richness and fruits or Aged Gouda for its intense, nutty flavour and crumbly texture. The oaked Coonawarra Chardonnay below from Australia has great buttery complexity.

Hollick Bond Road Coonawarra Chardonnay - £16.99

Sauvignon Blanc

Alongside a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, look to goat’s cheeses with rich. Sauvignon, with its acidic, citrussy mineral-driven chisel, slices through the rich and gamey cheese perfectly. Their acidity match, creating a refreshing and invigorating feeling. You can look to the Loire Valley, famous for both Sauvignon Blanc and ash-coated aged Chévre, for a regional pairing of mineral, grassy notes, and for Selles sur Cher, a succulent and velvety cheese with nuts, citrus, salt, and a hint of sweetness – the Sauvignon will make those bright lemony flavours sing. Check out the fresh, well-balanced number below.

Cabriz Dao Sauvignon Blanc 2021 - £12.24

RED WINES

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir notes are full of light, fruity notes that make it a versatile dance partner for delicately flavoured cheeses. The lighter the Pinot, the creamier and softer the cheese – so, Brie and Camembert for a dreamy red fruit punch that won’t overpower the subtlety of the cheese. Elegant, light and fruity, the Walat Pinot below is perfect. For Pinots with a bit more body, really good Premium Cheddar is fantastic, where the body is full of warm toasted nuts.

Walt Pinot Noir Pfalz - £11.99

Tempranillo

Like the Loire Valley with Sauvignon Blanc and goat’s cheese, Tempranillo and Idiazabal adhere to the old saying, ‘if it grows together, it goes together’. The full-bodied Tempranillo works a treat with the harder, grainy texture of the cheese, the high tannins contrast with the buttery flavour, and both are Spanish with savoury flavours and wafts of smoke.

ROSÉ

Pale French Rosé

Pungent cheeses can easily overpower a Rosé, but there is still enough tartness to cleanse the palate of flavoursome cheeses, and Rosé is actually a flexible pairing, particularly if the Rosé has acidity, dryness, and bubbles. Fresh, young cheeses like Feta, Mozzarella and Baby Swiss all nuzzle up to the berry notes nicely, and the wine can cut through and reset the palate. We recommend a pure, smooth Havarti though, because the flavours are mellow and delicate, and the steely minerality of Provence Rosé counters the soft cheesy texture wonderfully. Check out the zippy bittersweet fruits of the bottle below, which also brings a cool saline tang.

Barbebelle Rose Fleuri Coteaux d'Aix en Provence Rose 2022 - £8.95

SWEET WINE

Port

Port and Stilton is a bonified classic pairing, and for good reason. Port brings full body, sweetness, and rich boldness – so you need a cheese stinky enough to stand up to it. A salty Blue Stilton brings pungent complexity to pair with the sweetness. A Christmas classic. The sweet but complex Tawny below is perfect.

Noval 10 Year Old Tawny Port - £25.95

For more cheese and wine pairings and tips on how to get the most out of tasting them together, explore our in-depth tasting guide here.

8 Traditional Christmas Drinks in the UK

Everyone has their own go-to tipples for the festive season, and often it’s just their favourite drink throughout the rest of the year… but there are some familiar faces that pop up every time.

And for good reason too, because they are comforting and delicious. They’re part of the furniture (especially towards the end of the evening when Nan’s had one too many), so it serves to know how to master them. We’ve got all the mulled classics, creamy indulgences, and fruity wine numbers you could wish for on your Christmas list, and this is how to impress friends and family with each one.

Baileys Hot Choc

This is a classic winter warmer, with Bailey’s being the drink most synonymous with Christmas. Ideally, it’s so easy to make too. Just add the Irish Cream to hot chocolate and away you go. Of course, whipped cream and some grated chocolate add that extra indulgence that is pretty much mandatory at Christmas time too. Other people add different creams, winter spices or coffee liqueurs though, so experiment. Enjoy those deliciously rich undertones of whiskey intertwining with the sweet hot chocolate hug and cloud like softness of whipped cream. Oh, and because of the Bailey’s cream, we’d recommend using water for the hot chocolate but it’s up to you of course.

Ingredients
60ml Irish cream liqueur
100ml hot chocolate
Whipped cream (optional)
Grated chocolate (optional)

Method

Make your hot chocolate in a separate mug and pour it gently over your Baileys. Squirt some whipped cream and grate some chocolate if you want to go the extra mile.

Hot Buttered Rum

This is one that gets the mouth watering from the title alone, a simple delight perfect for cosy vibes. Some people don’t include the baking spices, but especially if your rum lacks spice, we find that they build a handy bridge between the rich butter and the booze. It’s sweet, warm in temperature and spice, and full of comforting flavours.

Ingredients
100ml hot water
50ml dark rum
1 tsp cinnamon
1tsp nutmeg
1 tsp all spice
A dash of vanilla extract
1 tbsp unsalted, softened butter
2 tsp brown sugar

Method
Muddle and mix sugar, butter, vanilla extract and all those beautiful spices at the bottom of a handled glass or mug. Pour in the rum, then the hot water and give it a nice stir (with a cinnamon stick if you have them!.

Eggnog

Well, it doesn’t get much more wintery than Eggnog does it? Check out our Mocktail recipe here, although this is one is pretty much the same except the inclusion of brandy. We think brandy brings perfect fruity, richness but others go for bourbon or rum. Why not make a few? It’s so silky, sweet, and creamy, and with the warm punch of the brandy at the heart of it. Just writing about it makes you want one!

Ingredients (for 5)
120ml brandy
cinnamon stick
whipped cream (optional garnish)
grated nutmeg (optional garnish)
Eggnog:
1 tsp vanilla essence
3 eggs
120ml double cream
100ml whole milk
100ml condensed milk
50g caster sugar

Method
You make the eggnog separately, and there are lots of variations using different sugars/milks and creams, but love the luxurious flavour of the above. Whisk the eggs with vanilla essence and caster sugar until it goes creamy. The, gradually whisk in the milk, in 25ml intervals, and repeat this exactly the same for the condensed milk. Repeat with the cream too! Slow and gradual. Cover and refrigerate for over at least 2 hours. If you find that the mixture is too thick after cooling, add milk and blend. When you’re ready to serve to your lucky guests, pour the eggnog in first, before slowly adding the brandy serving and garnish as you please – grated nutmeg, whipped cream, cinnamon stick – all perfect.

Snowball

The clues in the name with this one, and it’s a great way to spruce up Advocaat for a festive libation. The richly flavoured creamy Advocaat binds everything together, with vibrant, zesty lime cutting through, lemonade adds a effervescent refreshment, and although a lot of people leave it out, the brandy adds a touch of opulent, fruity depth that roots the cocktail nicely. A glass of Christmas magic.

Ingredients
15ml lime cordial (Rose’s)
50ml Advocaat
40ml lemonade
15ml brandy
Maraschino cherry (optional garnish)

Method
Fill a glass with a large scoop of ice and add in your lime cordial (you could use juice, but cordial works better). Add Advocaat, then lemonade and stir gently until everything is chilled. Then add the cherry on the cake/cocktail!

British Christmas Punch

If you’re in one of those families that knocks up a Christmas Punch, then you’ll probably have your own recipes, whether that’s a ‘throw in anything we have’ philosophy, or a ‘refined through the generations’ masterpiece. There are endless directions you can take with this, but this recipe has warmth and spice from herbal liqueur, fresh rosemary, ginger syrup and cinnamon paired with bright fruit juices. People use red wine, white wine, sparkling wine or even no wine, but Prosecco or a crisp white work best here.

Ingredients (for a jug)
300ml cranberry juice
40ml ginger syrup
50ml herbal liqueur (Benedictine or Jägermeister)
750ml Prosecco/white wine
200ml apple juice
Sliced clementines
Sliced lemon
3-4 sprigs rosemary
2 cinnamon sticks
Fresh cranberries (optional garnish)

Method
Make sure everything is nicely chilled before use, and a few hours before you’re expecting to serve the punch, combine everything together in a punch bowl. There’s no need to be delicate, just add everything in and stir with a little ice. Give everything enough time to merge and infuse, and then serve! For the simple ginger syrup, go here.

Mulled Wine

The official smell of the Christmas market, mulled wine is an absolute staple of the winter months and many people’s all-time favourite Christmas drink. If we have one tip, it’s to dispel the myth that the cheapest wine is fine if you’re heating it through – you do notice the difference! Opt for a juicy, big, bold wine. Think Zinfandel, Grenache and Primitivo. You’ll get strong flavour and a silky-smooth mouthfeel. Avoid adding sugar in and include some fresh cranberries that beautifully soften when heated for added texture and a little acidic crunch.

Ingredients
750ml bottle of Red Wine (Zinfandel, Primitivo, Grenache)
4 cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
1 quartered orange
1 star anise
Small handful of fresh cranberries
100ml Grand Marnier (optional)
2 tbsp honey (optional)

Method
Slowly pour the wine into a pan on a low heat, and begins stirring slowly as you add in your fruits and spices. It should never be boiling, and make sure to include the Grand Marnier towards the end (it’s optional, though we really recommend it). Let it all cool over 30 minutes whilst the flavours come together and it’s ready to go. Oh, and the honey is optional if it needs more sweetness – it’s better than sugar.

Mulled Cider

This is a delicious alternative to mulled wine and brings a hearty warmth to any festive occasion. The key here is, obviously, the cider so we would recommend trying it cold first and just making sure you like it before committing to the pan. This is for regular apple, but there are delicious, spiced ginger ciders and other seasonal flavours that would work a treat too. Here though, you’ve got hearty cider with the dry cider, rich apple with Calvados, and sweet apple with the juice, and they balance really nicely.

Ingredients
1L dry cider
100ml Calvados (brandy if not)
300ml apple juice
Orange slices
4 cloves
2 large cinnamon sticks
1tbsp all spice
50g sugar (optional)

Method
It’s similar to mulled wine really, just gently simmer and combine everything up to a simmer, at which point its gas right down to a very low heat for 20 more minutes before turning it off altogether. Let it cool and infuse before serving.

Bucks Fizz

A classic start to the Christmas morning, Bucks Fizz is nostalgic, fresh, and delicious. Cava, Prosecco, Crémant, and even Champagne – you can pick whichever poison to pair with your OJ. There is a load of nice, pre-made bottles (Sainsbury’s in particular), but as anyone who loves fresh OJ knows, the difference is substantial so if you want a work out, get squeezing those oranges.

Ingredients
50ml orange juice
100ml chilled sparkling wine

Method
It couldn’t be easier. Pour your orange juice into a glass, and slowly top up with your sparkling wine. Voila! Christmas has begun.

In terms of grown up coffee and hot chocolate recipes, we could be here all day and whist not all are traditional, they sure do hit the spot over the festivities so check out our Best Boozy Coffee and Hot Chocolate Recipes for more Christmas drinks ideas.

Supermarket Wine Bargains: Aldi Winter 2023

In Supermarket Wine Bargains, we go through the latest supermarket offerings and highlight any gems that are definitely worth picking up. These winter wine bottles aren’t necessarily on offer, but Aldi is such tremendous value for money that they’re still fantastic for the price. From juicy Italian reds to crisp Kiwi whites, the bottles below are absolute gems and will keep you merrily sipping all the way to Christmas, and mostly for under £10 too!

Aldi Red Wines Winter 2023

Castellore Primitivo

This is one of, if not the best Italian red for under a tenner at Aldi, with bold richness and concentrated flavours of dark berries. There is an earthy spice grounding it too, with a slight acidity cutting through and smooth, jammy finish. Top notch all rounder for midweek Italian dishes.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £6.29

Specially Selected Valpolicella Ripasso

This a loud wine for the price, boasting Ripasso structure and spicy intensity, with warm clove underpinning sweet cherry and a subtly nutty note to the finish. You get a generous amount of complexity and flavour without denting the wallet too much either.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £7.99

Specially Selected Amarone Della Valpolicella

This Venetian red costs a bit more but it’s worth it. You get all the stylistic hallmarks expected, with zippy acidity and rich, velvety mouthfeel. Toasty spicy oak sits underneath dark chocolatey cherries majestically for an exquisitely balanced wine you can explore all night.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: £16.99

Animus Douro Red

Animus Douro Red has been a reliable stalwart of Aldi’s core red range for a while, always shining with exceptional value for money. There are plenty of jammy red fruits and a splash of bright acidity keeping it fresh. Try it and find out why it’s so many customers’ go-to.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £6.49

Canyon Springs Californian Zinfandel

Simply superb Cali Zinfandel for the price. It doesn’t suffer from that overbearing sweetness some do, instead coming through with ripe blackcurrant and black cherry jam, a little oak, and dreamy vanilla notes. Dangerously drinkable.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £8.99

Specially Selected Kooliburra The Reprobates Red Wine

This is another red that just cannot be sniffed at for the money, this time from Australia. It’s packed with red berries that come through with great sweetness, and a smooth and silky mouthfeel with a touch of spice. Punchy with the alcohol too.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: £7.49

Aldi White Wines Winter 2023

Castellore Organic Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie

This is a classic Pinot Grigio expression with nice light dryness, sharp citrus and crisp green apple notes. You also get some delicate juicy peach through, and the £7 price tag makes it a complete must buy.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £6.99

Specially Selected New Zealand Pinot Gris

This is Aldi’s rock-solid introduction to Pinot Gris, hailing from New Zealand’s North Island. It’s utterly refreshing, with vivid grapefruit, ripe pears, and floral hints. It balances out with a welcome peppery warmth too. Like all the others, it’s very impressive for under £10 and would be delicious with salty seafood or pork.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £7.79

Specially Selected Austrian Grüner Veltliner

This is a nice representation of Austria’s flagship grape, carrying that trademark crisp freshness and minerality, all the way to the kick of spice at the end. Apple and pear come through, but the cool-climate is felt and this isn’t completely fruity, instead it has gentle florality and subtle grassy, celery notes. Easy to like.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £6.29 (usually more!)

Filos Estate Greek Chardonnay

This Greek Chardonnay takes the grape in a new and interesting direction. Think lively acidic lemon and lime, crunchy apples, and soft peach, and a clean, crispness throughout. The citrus bulking out the middle is particularly moreish, as is the slight creaminess.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £8.99

Specially Selected Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie

Aldi do this lovely Loire Muscadet with upfront melon and zesty orange behind. The dry and light feel is typical of Muscadet, and the salinity and vanilla play off together nicely, settling out to be very well balanced indeed. Make it sing with seafood and you’re laughing.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £7.49

If you’ve got a different supermarket nearer to you, then check our website for our other Supermarket Bargains, like Waitrose’s November offers here.