Christmas cheers!
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A MEMORABLE BOTTLE OF WINE TO UNWRAP AND UNCORK THIS CHRISTMAS, LOOK NO FURTHER THAN THE ULTIMATE SUGGESTIONS FROM MICHELLE LAWLOR OF THE NUDE WINE COMPANY
Christmas morning
After all the pressies have been opened, settle into the day with a classic fry and a glass of fizz. Prosecco with a fry-up is the best thing to start the day with, and the most important thing to note is the word Brut, which indicates that the Prosecco is dry. The great irony of a dry Prosecco is that there are 17-32g of sugar per litre, think doughnut in a glass, so always look for the word
Brut. We recommend La Jara
Organic Frizzante, which is dry, light and better than any prosecco you have ever tasted.
La Jara Organic Frizzante
Brut Prosecco,
€16.95 per bottle
Smoked salmon time
A favourite for the Irish is smoked salmon on brown bread. Some of us use so much butter that it outweighs the bread and fish, but you can always rely on a glass of Champagne to take this classic to luxury status. Champagne is the one drink in the world that pairs with everything from oysters to steak due to the rich flavours, creamy body and mouthwatering freshness. One of its ultimate pairings is with smoked salmon and there is no better day than Christmas Day to try it out for yourself. This one is outstanding value for money.
Gobillard Premier Cru Grand Cuvee,
€48.50 per bottle
Christmas dinner at yours
If you are hosting dinner in your own home and need to cater for wine lovers, drink guzzlers and cocktail lovers, how do you please those with high grape expectations, while not overdelivering to those with low wine expectations? All joking aside, it’s a tall order. We recommend this beauty – it’s warm, round and rich enough to complement your cooking, but not so expensive that you are weeping into your glass at the end of the night. Chateau Haut
Gravelier Bordeaux, €14.75 per bottle
Christmas dinner at the in-laws
Being invited over to your in-laws’ house comes with its pros and cons, but of course we all want to impress. Do you bring a special bottle and hope they open it so you can also enjoy it? Or do you bring something that ticks a few boxes so it doesn’t matter if it goes into their wine rack, while they hand you a glass of hangover juice? If you want to take it up a notch, the only way to go is a Ripasso. It’s effectively a baby Amarone and at this time of the year, invariably the best value wine in every wine shop. Campolieti, Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore,
€23.90 per bottle
Snack time
Nothing says Christmas like a cheese board, mince pies or a bowl of trifle less than an hour after the biggest feed of the year. Despite a lifetime of being told that red wine and cheese is the pinnacle of sophistication — I blame the TV – opening a bottle of something chilled is actually much more enjoyable. The refreshingly high acidity and citrus notes of a European white wine like Sauvignon or Albarino will actually aid your digestion. We’ll be drinking a skin contact white wine after dinner this year as its fresh, fruity and irresistible. For the minority of those who skip this ‘course’ as they are stuffed to the gills, a skin contact white is like trifle without the sugar content. Bodegas Cinco
Leguas, Ia
Maldicion, Malvar,
€19.50 per bottle
Leftovers
Last, but by no means least, is St Stephen’s Day. Are you a re-heat human, or do you lap up the comfort of a turkey curry? Better yet, put either option between two slices of bread and ascend to heaven. The best thing about 26 December is having the house to yourself to indulge in films, food and wine. Let’s presume you are not sharing so can open a bottle of the good stuff. This is the best wine to soak up St Stephen’s Day with and definitely too good to share. Celler Pardas ‘Negre Franc’, Penedes, €27.49 per bottle