RAISE A GLASS
WITH JANE CLARE
Your Christmas dinner plate will look like a kaleidoscope of colours and will deliver an abundance of flavours.
From earthy brussel sprouts to sweet parsnips, to meats and stuffings, golden globes of roasties and buttery mash. All foods can change the flavour sensation of a wine. Watch out for sweet foods – cranberry sauce, or apple sauce – on your savoury plate which can make your wine feel less fruity.
My white wine selections for Christmas cover all bases, from buttery to zesty and refreshing, and for all pockets.
Gedeon Birtok Zöld Veltelini 2021 (£6.99, Lidl), left, is a great price for this Hungarian wine made from the Grüner Veltliner grape. Expect green herbaceousness, a dash of pepper and a good zap of acidity. Or how about a grüner from Austria: Faber & Köchl Organic Grüner Veltliner Ried Saazen 2019 (£19.79, online at Vida Wines) I loved this wine, with its smooth, soft mouthfeel and prickly pear and apple notes.
My absolute favourite white is a dry riesling. I love it because its citric vibrancy can refresh and support the palate on all occasions. This one from Naked Wines – Domaine Kirrenbourg Riesling Roche Granitique 2019 (£24.99), right, is from Alsace. The flavours wriggle and tease, with steeliness and long-lasting, delicious, citrus and green fruits. Also from Alsace, is a wine which could win you over with the Boxing Day curry.
ASDA Extra Special Gewürztraminer Vin D’alsace (£8) has an aromatic nature of lychee, rose and honey. It will playfully mingle with spicy foods.
For a splurge buy, Chablis could be a winner: Albert Bichot Chablis, Premier Cru Fourchaume (£23.99, Waitrose) is so well-defined in character. It is as sharp as a pin, as sensations of wet knife, crisp green apple and a determined mouthfeel make themselves known. A simpler Chablis, but with concentrated character nonetheless, is Domaine Dampt Petit Chablis Vieilles Vignes 2021 (RRP £17.99, or £15.99 in a case at Laithwaites).
From old world chardonnays to a new world: and Estancia Chardonnay (RRP £14, Tesco), left, has a vibe of hazelnuts, fresh green apple, kiwi, pineapple and vanilla pudding.
Chenin blanc is always a good option for Christmas celebrations. The Society’s Chenin Blanc 2022 (£8.50, The Wine Society) hails from South Africa and is dappled with peach perfection and green apple notes.
Jane is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Find her on social media and online as One Foot in the Grapes.