Christmas Day Wines 2025

You’re up and up for a glass of bubbly.  Christmas is all about priorities, so start as you mean to go on with a glass of the Kleine Zalze Methode Cap Classique (Vinum £18.15).  Produced in the traditional way from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this is an inviting, friendly fizz that’s brimming with apples, pears, and peaches with overtones of tropical fruits and creamy yeast.  Gently reviving, it’s a fine start to the day. 

Presents done, it’s time to hit the kitchen.  I find a cheeky glass while cooking is a must, and it calls for something flavoursome and intense.  That’s why I’m planning to look at a Sherry, the Barbadillo Criadera Selection Palo Cortado En Rama (The Oxford Wine Company £18.95).  Palo Cortado is a rare style that combines the freshness of an Amontillado with the richness of an Oloroso.  En-rama means it’s unfiltered, which adds another layer of complexity.  Toasted almonds, dried citrus, savoury yeast and grapefruit make for a magnificently moreish sipper that’s delicious with salty nibbles or hors d’oeuvres. 

‘Lunch is ready!’ With the ravening hoard summoned, it’s time to get serious.  Whether you’re serving turkey, goose or a vegetarian dish, you need plenty of fruit and freshness.  The Masi Colbaraca Soave Classico (Hic! £ 20.50) offers these in spades.  Fragrances of tropical fruit and honey rise from the glass and are met in the mouth by greengage, kiwi, and lemon curd alongside dried pear and a twist of herbs. 

If you’d prefer a red, then it must be Burgundy.  If so, then seek out the Louis Jadot Marsannay ‘Longeroies’ 2020 (A G Wines £34.95).  Beyond the fruits of the forest and cherry-scented nose is a classy, multi-layered, graceful red that combines raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, vanilla, and crunchy minerals in a rounded, polished fashion.  With its clean acidity and dry, round tannins, it’s got what it takes to bring out the best in a range of foods. 

If I had a penny for every time someone asked me which wines go with Christmas pudding, I’d have enough to buy a Claridge’s Christmas pudding, a snip at £75.  Sadly, no wine does.  Christmas pud is so heavy and dense that it will see off any wine, especially if it’s been flambéed in brandy.  What I do is have the pud, and sip something sumptuous afterwards.  This year, it’s the Zepsy Tokaji Szamorodni 2017 (Oxford Wine Company £55.50).  This Hungarian beauty is phenomenal.  Deep gold, the nose is an intoxicating blend of apricots, pineapple, butterscotch, and magno.  In the mouth, it’s lusciously sweet, but the well-integrated acidity keeps it clean and bright.  Serve chilled on its own and enjoy this bottle of delights’ treasures. 

As evening descends, thoughts turn to cheese.  For this, I have two recommendations—first, the Quinta da Gaivosa 2019 (Secret Bottle Shop £34.95).  One of the best Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) ports I’ve ever tasted, it’s inky purple with aromas of cherry liqueur, chocolate and Christmas spices.  Rammed to the rafters with dried black fruits, chocolate, smoke and cherry conserve, this gentle giant has drying raspberries to the finish that make it clean and food-friendly. 

If a Port seems like too much of a good thing, how about a mellow red?  The unusually named SpaceNine A23 Pinot Noir (Perfect Cellar £15.95) offers an unusual blend of attributes for a Pinot, being excellent and affordable.  On opening, this purple-robed beauty is quite sedate and is dominated by red berries, tangy cherries and has an earthy, undergrowth tone.  As the air gets to it, so it blossoms, putting on weight and introducing black cherry jam, plums, and a hint of mint.   

Still awake?  Good, it’s time for a nightcap.  I’m not much of a spirits drinker, but I’ll make an exception for a fine Armagnac, such as the Janneau VSOP (Amazon £36.56).  Amber coloured and with a nose of apricots, baked apples, prunes, ginger and honey, its gentility and complexity are evident from the off.  Warming and satisfying, layers of orchard fruits, hazelnuts, liquorice, prunes, cloves, cinnamon, and menthol are amongst its impressive list of attributes.  Long and lingering, this is a wonderful way to wind down.