How to Buy Wine this Christmas
Christmas is a time of joy and cheer. A time for gatherings with family and friends, opening presents, eating festive foods and so on. That same joy and cheer should apply to the wines you open and consume over the Festive season. In my opinion, the same love and passion should go into the wines you buy for Christmas as it does for your loved ones gifts.
We all have a favourite wine - New Zealand Sauvignon, Sancerre, Champagne, Bordeaux, Argentinian Malbec, Rioja, Tempranillo and so on. All of our favourites are experiencing significant price increases and supply issues due to both demand, inflation and climate change. But don’t fret, alternatives are always available.
When the mad rush of Christmas buying happens and there’s a dash for that special gift, wine can fall down the list of priorities and through no fault of our own ends up being carted into the trolley during that big Christmas Shop at your local supermarket.
So this Christmas, let’s not get stuck in a rut, let’s explore and ask for help. Look for the alternatives to the Classics and experience value, more flavour and quality for your money instead.
If you buy your wines with this in mind (and with Cavavin of course!) you’re guaranteed quality, flavour, and more interesting wines this Christmas.
If you like New Zealand Sauvignon, why not try one of these instead?
- D. Bardon Touraine Les Demoiselles
- Casal de Ventozela Alvarinho
- Château Rose Sarron Graves 2022
- Domaine Gaujal de Saint Bon Picpoul de Pinet
If you like Pinot Grigio, we suggest you try one of these instead:
- Costa al Sole Inzolia Terre Siciliane
- Perrier et Fils Savoie Cuvée Gastronomie
- NEW IN! Léon Boesch Les Collines Alsace white blend
If all you’ve heard about is Sancerre or Chablis but are aghast at their price tag, these equivalent beauties will save you a euro or two
- Quincy Le Champ Aux Lievres 2022
- Vignerons Mabillot Reuilly
- NEW IN! J. Mourat Chateau Marie du Fou
- NEW IN! Tommasi Lugana DOC Le Fornaci
If you love Champagne, but your bank account can’t afford to drink it every day of the week. Then these suggestions are non-negotiable:
- Poirier Methode Traditionelle Brut
- “Si Irrésistible” by Louis Grenelle Crémant Rosé
- Champagne Cyrus Brut
- NEW IN! Louis de Grenelle Saumur Grande Cuvée Brut
If all you want this Christmas is Chateauneuf-du-Pape, I urge you to add these to your Christmas list instead:
- Domaine Lafond Roc-Épine Lirac red blend
- NEW IN Lirac Romaine
- Cuvée des Princes d’Orange Cotes du Rhone VV 2022
- Volpi Barbera Superiore ‘La Zerba’ Colli Tortonesi DOC 2021
- Chateau Soussans Margaux 2018
- Château de Mauves Graves 2016
- NEW IN! Domaine Brunely Les Secrets de la Licorne Vacqueyras 2021
If you’re like me, and you love Pinot Noir, but not the price tag, then these options won’t break the bank:
- J. Mourat Chateau Marie du Fou 2022
- J. Mourat Collection red blend 2022
- Domaine Philippe Meslet Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil 2022
- La Spinona Langhe Nebbiolo 2020
- Château de Pizay Morgon 2022
If you love Rioja, but are willing to share your love for it with another, then you have to try any or all of the following:
- Viña Salceda Rioja Crianza 2019
- Tamaral Tempranillo Ribera del Duero
- Bala Negra Toro Tempranillo
- NEW IN! Condado de Oriza Ribera del Duero Crianza
- NEW IN! Condado de Oriza Ribera del Duero Reserva
If that smooth rich Malbec is all you can think about, soon one of these will become your new obsession:
