‘Tis the season to stock up your drinks cabinet! This time of year is usually filled with lots of festive fun. From Christmas dinners and work nights out, to family gatherings, new year’s parties and general merriment, you usually need a splash of something to go along with it all.

Bill has gathered up a box of booze that has something for every December occasion in it. Perfect for keeping for yourself or for taking along to the host’s house to show your appreciation.

First up, you always need a bottle of fizz on hand to make it into a celebration…

JEAN DE VILLARÉ, CHAMPAGNE | CHAMPAGNE, FRANCE | £27

This is a great addition to our list, perfect for all occasions. Its aged character belies its value for money. With fresh apple and stone fruit aromas, and a rounded, complex palate, it is a superb aperitif and also pairs wonderfully with creamy Brie, or seafood.

JANSZ, PREMIUM ROSÉ SPARKLING WINE | TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA | £21

With its delicate flavours of strawberries and creaminess this is a good bottle to pop when opening your presents on Christmas morning or with a starter of smoked salmon. Tasmania’s climate and growing conditions are similar to the conditions of Champagne which helps to create this deluxe yet unique sparkling wine. 

SHERWOOD, RIESLING | WAIPARA VALLEY, NEW ZEALAND | £12.50 

We had this in last Christmas and it was so good we have got it in again. A complex off-dry Riesling which is particularly versatile with food, pairing nicely with the oiliness of smoked salmon, the spiciness of curried turkey or any seafood. 

BISCARDO, OROPASSO | VENETO, ITALY | £11.50

Light, fresh and zingy this is a good aperitif white wine and something a bit different with a blend of Garganega and Chardonnay. Very well structured and balanced, it is a wine that will delight and impress your friends and family. 

FONCALIEU, PETIT PARADIS | SAINT CHINIAN, FRANCE | £13.50

Made from Grenache Blanc, Marsanne and Vermentino this is a serious wine for its price. Lightly oaked, with intense flavours of quince and spice, it’s a contender for a white wine to go with the turkey.

MABY, NESSUN DORMA | RHONE VALLE, FRANCE | £25.50

Richard Maby has two passions in life, wine and opera. And who doesn’t need a bit of a good song at Christmas. This organic Grenache/Syrah from Lirac in the Rhone sings with blackcurrants and liquorice. Heaven with a rib of beef. This will also happily keep in your cellar for up to 15 years and could be a fantastic gift for the red wine connoisseur in your life. 

DOMAINE DU CHEVAL BLANC, RED BORDEAUX | ENTRE DEUX MERS, FRANCE | £13

A modern style fruit forward claret with Cabaret Franc leading the blend. With enough full body and tannins it’s a good gourmet wine as well as being fun and bright. It is also crying out for a hunk of one of our favourites on the cheese counter, like the savoury St Helena, Durrus or Bergkase. 

VIÑA ELENA, FAMILIA PACHECO BARRICA | DO JUMILLA, SPAIN | £12

Widely considered to be one of the best wineries in Jumilla, Viña Elena is very much a family affair with Elena Pacheco along with her mother, sisters and children running the show.  Fruity with some deeper toasted vanilla flavour this red will cover all the options from starter through to cheese.

PORT OF LEITH, MANZANILLA | JEREZ, SPAIN | £23

Sourced from Bodegas Baron, who will supply the sherry casks to mature their whisky in, Port of Leith are bottling up this wine to give us a taste of what to expect from their casks in the future. The result is an an excellent brisk dry sherry. A  delectable counterpoint to all the rich foods over the festive period and great with cold meats.

PORT OF LEITH, MARTHA’S RESERVE TAWNY PORT | DUORO, PORTUGAL | 25 

Tawny is the most delicate of Port styles and this one is matured in old oak, allowing it to retain incredibly pure and vibrant red fruit flavours with a beautiful nutty undertone. It is also best friends with Colston Bassett Stilton – need we say more? 

LIND & LIME | HEY PALU WHITE STRAWBERRY NEGRONI | EDINBURGH | £31

Lind & Lime have joined forces with award-winning Edinburgh bar Hey Palu to create something a little fun to take round to relatives this year. It is ready-to-pour so all you will need is some ice. We’re thinking of adding a glug of Jansz Sparkling Rose for double strawberry delight! 

DOMAINE TARIQUET, UGNI BLANC ARMAGNAC | BAS-ARMAGNAC, FRANCE | £50

And finally, this one is for sitting back in your favourite chair in front of the fire contemplating life. This bottle is made exclusively from the Ugni Blanc grape and it’s finesse, freshness, intensity and elegance is everything you would expect from the variety. 

You can find all of these bottles on our shelves in the Deli over the Christmas season. If you are not local and would like any of the products highlighted in this blog (and are over 18), please contact us. We can try to arrange to ship them to you. Please note: We ship to the UK only.