RAISE A GLASS
WELCOME to the first of my festive-themed columns. What, so early I hear you ask? Well not really – it’s mid-November and there are things to be done, lists to be made.
To get the ball rolling, here’s a handful of suggestions for festive fun, Christmas knick-knacks and drinkie treats for those you love.
In the last couple of years drinks-themed advent calendars have been “a thing” so I’m giving you plenty of time ahead of December 1 to prepare yourself.
Aldi’s Advent Calendar (£49.99) is now available in store and online and is filled with two miniature bottles each of 12 styles of wine, including The Exquisite Collection
Touraine Sauvignon and the award-winning Fleurs de Prairie Côtes de Provence Rosé. A little tipple for every night in the festive countdown.
For something a little bit different perhaps you’d like a cuppa every day with The House of Newby Luxury Advent Calendar (£58, newbyteas.co.uk, Ocado, Selfridges). There are 24 drawers and each includes four individually wrapped sachets of a select Newby blend, and no
two drawers are the same. Pass the custard creams please!
For the lady in your life who loves fizz and loves beauty treats, then Freixenet might have the answer. The Freixenet Prosecco Advent Calendar (£75, shop.freixenet.co.uk) includes mini bottles of Freixenet wine such as the Italian Sparkling Rosé, and surprises include Prosecco bath bombs and aromatic candles. Perfect pampering for 24 days!
If beer is more the thing for you, then the Personalised Beer Advent Calendar (prezzybox. com, £99.99) is the answer. It contains 25 bottles of different beers plus you can pop your loved one’s name on the front.
Talking of beer, a new premium beer subscription service from
DiscoverBrew (£25 each month, plus delivery) is a great gift for people wanting to experience a variety of tastes. Six handpicked beers are delivered each month, selected from hundreds of breweries across the world.
Perhaps you’d like to pull a cracker or two and enjoy a gin. The Pinkster Miniature Gift Set (£20 for two, Debenhams, PinksterGin. com) has a 5cl of Pinkster gin and a little jar of Gin Jam waiting to pop into view. You can save the jam for your toast on Boxing Day.
■ Let’s whizz to fizz... If you’re visiting friends or family for the big day then cast a spell and make a gift of the lovely looking Nicolas Feuillatte
champagne in a special limited edition Enchantment sleeve. Available in Waitrose from the middle of this month (£26). There’s a stunning limited edition sleeve of a magnum of Champagne Thienot Brut NV, left (£78, champagnes andchateaux.co.uk). The youngest champagne house has teamed up with international street artist Speedy Graphito for a second time and the magnum would look stunning as a Christmas centrepiece.
Happy shopping.
■ Jane is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Find her on social media and online as One Foot in the Grapes.