{"id":28661,"date":"2017-12-11T18:35:27","date_gmt":"2017-12-11T18:35:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.leaandsandeman.co.uk\/blog\/?p=28661"},"modified":"2018-08-21T14:18:43","modified_gmt":"2018-08-21T13:18:43","slug":"best-christmas-wines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.leaandsandeman.co.uk\/blog\/2017\/12\/best-christmas-wines\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Wines for Christmas"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dreaming of a White Christmas, but some Red of course too!<\/h1>\n

\"Christmas-Wine-Selection-Blog\"<\/p>\n

Christmas is the perfect time to indulge a little, in every quarter, wine included. This does not mean we all have to drink hugely expensive wine at every turn – no, what\u2019s important is to make sure that what we do drink is perfect, every time. To have all options covered for drinks party guests, for that vital glass to go with your quick kitchen-supper interlude while you \u2018down tools\u2019 from the wrapping frenzy. Through to the big day itself, the all-important Christmas Dinner and the aftermath, something comforting and indulgent to go with your mince-pies and the oft overlooked Boxing Day gathering that needs some well-chosen bottles to revive body and soul as left-overs are hoovered up. We have some superb Christmas Selections to make this task easier and the mixed case selection<\/a> takes the time out of getting yourself the perfect mix – so you have everything covered, in an instant.<\/p>\n

If not now, when?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Getting the home \u2018cellar\u2019 in order is vital and the L&S delivery team are second to none in getting you sorted for Christmas. To underpin the whole stretch, some \u2018sparkle\u2019 is in order. We have some fantastic Champagne deals<\/a> this year, it really is the best time to buy Grandes Marques Fizz, as almost all your favourites are now available at unbeatable prices. It is always worth having a little bit of something special like the super Taittinger Brut<\/a> down to under \u00a330 per bottle until the end of the month – but also something more thoughtful, we\u2019ll be grabbing a 6-pack of the fantastic value BARNAUT ‘Blanc de Noirs’<\/a>\u00a0which comes from our friends, the Second\u00e9 family, in Bouzy whose grapes all come from their own Grand Cru vineyards.
\n\"Grower-Champagne-Offers\"<\/p>\n

Reduced by almost \u00a35.00 per bottle, the Barnaut is a broad, intense Champagne which is perfect at this time of year – made only from red grapes, this white sparkler is incredible; Satisfying, complex and sophisticated, yet most importantly it is completely delicious. Serve to those in the know, they will simply love it.<\/p>\n

(Alongside great offers on Grandes Marques Champagnes, we have made a strong effort on all of our Grower’s Champagnes<\/a> – they are truly excellent value)<\/p>\n

\u00a0But, what about with Turkey?!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Piemaggio<\/p>\n

This year we have been delighted to find some new gems and over the next few weeks, we\u2019ll certainly be enjoying some of these as they will make perfect seasonal drinking. The 2008 CHIANTI CLASSICO \u2018Le Fioraie\u2019<\/a> from the Piemaggio estate up in the hills of Chianti is fantastic drinking. Held back at the winery until they felt it was perfectly mature – this is spot-on for Christmas time. Full of delicious dark fruit and lovely spice, with the classic Chianti \u2018ping\u2019 of acidity that keeps this bright and fresh. A suave, mature alternative to the classics.<\/p>\n

But, the classics should be involved, of course! We\u2019ll be opening some great bottles of Bordeaux too, just what is called for on a cool winters evening. The 2011 CH\u00c2TEAU CAPBERN GASQUETON<\/a> is delicious now, lithe and \u2018claret-shaped\u2019 as you would hope from this smart St Estephe property. This is beautifully fine, full of bright juiciness, with no hard edges at all. Just a sexy, sleek flow more old-school perhaps, joyous certainly. Bordeaux is rightfully a Christmas favourite and deserves its place in our carefully selected \u2018Complete Christmas Case\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sometimes a Magnum is what is called for and we\u2019ll certainly be pouring some of the fantastic 2009 CH\u00c2TEAU PUYGUERAUD<\/a> from magnum for friends and family. Made by the Thienpoints of Vieux Chateau Certan, this has breath-taking class – and is joyous to drink. Loaded with perfectly ripe, fleshy dark fruit, a classic 2009 feel – from this stand-out vintage.<\/p>\n

Another of the wines we are really looking forward to drinking is the 2015 POMMARD Tavannes<\/a> from the brilliant Laurent Pillot. Pinot Noir is a great partner for Turkey and this has just the right level of satisfying fruit heft and sleek Burgundian Pinot elegance to be a knockout on Christmas Day. This is part of the brilliant Burgundy Mixed Case<\/a> – delivered to your door in the click of your mouse!<\/p>\n

\"Christmas-Wine-Selection-Blog-Italian\"\u00a0(Our last remaining Tassinaia 2011 is in our Italian<\/a> & Tuscany<\/a> Mixed Cases)<\/p>\n

For a proper treat, perhaps even a perfect Christmas Present – we can hardly wait to pull the cork on the rare and very special 2008 NUITS SAINT GEORGES 1er Cru \u2018La Richemone\u2019<\/a> from Christophe Perrot-Minot. Deep, rich Pinot Noir from one of the smartest producers around, the 2008 is powerful, broad and totally charming. This thrilling, nuanced, complex red will light up the table on Christmas day.<\/p>\n

We’re not all red heads, what else have you got?<\/strong><\/p>\n

For Whites we\u2019ll certainly need something crisp and bright, any of the joyous bottles in the Dry Whites Christmas Mix<\/a> will pair well with Christmas Canap\u00e9s and satisfy all when it\u2019s aperitif time. This mixed case will be a bit like an advent calendar as we lead up to the big day with a glorious mix of 12 different zippy bright whites, we\u2019ll enjoy every step of this countdown! And we cannot wait to try Leo Felici\u2019s awesome VERDICCHIO CLASSICO SUPERIORE<\/a> with the traditional Smoked Salmon – these will work together wonderfully.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll certainly need something with a touch more substance too – and the LEA & SANDEMAN White Burgundy<\/a> is definitely part of the plan. This is full and intense in 2016, but fantastically poised too – with a crisp, citrus line running right through it. But for a Christmas treat a bottle or two from the \u00a0Christmas White Burgundy Selection<\/a> will be necessary, some fantastic, grown up White to hold its own with Turkey, delicious.<\/p>\n

To Puddings, Cheese & Beyond!<\/strong>
\n\"Christmas-Sauternes-Selection\"<\/a>
\nWith the Christmas Pudding it will be fantastic to crack a bottle of the \u20195-year-old Reserva\u2019 Boal<\/a> Madeira from the awesome producer – Barbeito.\u00a0 This copes brilliantly with the pud but also holds sway with Brandy butter too – in fact this will stay on the table for cheese too – but it would not be the same if we didn\u2019t also open some port<\/a> for the Stilton, it is Christmas after all! Depending who makes it on the day it will probably be one of these two beauties, either the 2012 QUINTA DA ROMANEIRA Late Bottled Vintage<\/a> – or the fabulous 40 year old 1977 GRAHAM<\/a> will finish things off with style!<\/p>\n

Round off your Christmas Selection from our wide range of Sweet wines & Sauternes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As the old saying goes: \u2018Life\u2019s too short to drink bad wine\u2019 and this is never truer than at Christmas, sharing great bottles with friends and family must be one of the greatest joys.<\/strong><\/p>\n