About the wines

The Winter Wine Selection

Matching each course to a wine is always a challenge. Here are Jenny's suggested wine pairings for dishes over the festivities to add some sparkle to your Christmas.

Apéritif

Vila Nova Vinho Verde DOC 2019

Vinho Verde, Portugal

Grapes: Loureiro 50%, Avesso 15%, Arinto 35%

Fun, fresh and zingy! Wake up the taste buds with this Vinho Verde.  This refreshing northern Portuguese wine is the perfect start to your Christmas festivities to prepare the palate for what is to come.  Citrus, ripe melon and floral notes with the classic spritz of a Vinho Verde. Serve with some tapas, olives or bruschetta.  Don’t leave the bottle too near the thirsty chef!

Seafood

El Porvenir Amauta Absoluto Torrontés 2019 

Valle de Cafayate, Salta, Argentina.

Grape: Torrontés 

Known as “El Mentiroso” or the liar! It gets its well deserved nickname because of its perfumed peach and floral aromas while on the palate it surprises you with its zesty, bitter grapefruit notes. First impressions are deceptive!  Torrontés is a cross of Muscat and Criolla Chica (Mission grape) and is grown at high altitude (1600m) in the Cafayate Valley where it thrives.   Delicious with any avocado and prawn dish or ceviche.

Turkey / Nut Roast

Not sure whether to pair your turkey / nut roast with a white or a red?  Go for both options!

White:

Domaine Pré Baron, Sauvignon Blanc, 2019

Touraine AC, Loire, France.

Grape: Sauvignon Blanc

Zesty lemon, gooseberry and peach this expressive Sauvignon Blanc is a great match for the Christmas main course. From Touraine, the grapes are grown on the steep banks of the Loire.  Guaranteed to improve or mask the taste of the brussel sprouts!

Red: 

Domaine Mas Barrau Cabernet Franc 2019

Pays du Gard IGP, Southern Rhône, France

Grape: Cabernet Franc

Certainly the unsung hero, and often overshadowed by its progeny Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc is a wine to look out for. Fresh cedar, bramble fruit and ripe plum this Cab Franc will keep red wine drinkers happy but not overpower the flavours of the turkey or nut roast.

Beef

Emiliana Novas Gran Reserva 2018

D.O. Valle de Colchagua, Chile

Grapes: Carménère and Cabernet Sauvignon

In the late 19th century, Merlot cuttings were taken to Chile from Bordeaux and planted in Chilean vineyards.  In 1994 it was discovered that these vines were in fact Carménère!  Carménère adapted fantastically to its new home and makes a rounded, well balanced wine with blackcurrant, black cherry, black pepper, tobacco and chocolate aromas.  Perfect with steak, roast beef and juicy meat dishes.

Cheese Course

Bacalhoa Quatro Ventos 2019

Douro DOC, Portugal

Grapes: Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca

Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca and Tinta Barroca are all famous varieties grown in the Douro to originally make Port.  Nowadays there are many producers who are making interesting unfortified wines from these varieties.  The steep Douro stone terraces capture the sun to produce bold, full bodied reds.  Think of a cheese board of mature Stilton, Manchego or a 30 month old Parmigiano Reggiano with a glass of this wine!

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Additionally add some Port and Bubbles to your 6 wines....

Dessert

Krohn Colheita Tawny Port 1999

Douro, Portugal

Grapes: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa and Tinta Roriz

The best kept secret and only to be shared en petit comité! A Colheita is a tawny port from a single harvest which is aged for 7 years in small 600 litre barrels.  Over time it loses its ruby colour to become a beautiful tawny.  Aromas of spice, dates, caramel and a lovely nuttiness this complex Colheita has real depth and length. Perfect with egg and custard based desserts… Pasteis de nata, crème caramel, apple tart and also mature cheese.

Bubbles

J.Laurens Les Graimenous Crémant de Limoux Brut

Limoux AOP, Languedoc, France.

Grapes: Chardonnay 60%, Chenin Blanc 30%, Mauzac Blanc 5%.

The true birthplace of French bubbles, sparkling wines have been made in Limoux since 1531.  Made in the traditional method (by fermenting in the bottle), Mauzac Blanc is used in Limoux to make a bright and citrusy sparkling wine with toasty notes. Charge your glasses with this Crémant. Santé! 

Here’s to a Happy Christmas and a fantastic 2021! 

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