Say cheers: the wine to buy this festive season

The thing I love most about the Christmas meal is that for once I am not the only one fussing and worrying about what wine to serve. 

In general my advice is to serve a wine or wine style that you really like — it’s Christmas, after all, so you should spoil yourself.

If you have been saving a special bottle by all means open it, but not if it has to be shared with eight other relatives — save that one for when you are dining à deux.

Matching a wine with white turkey is easy as both white and red wine work well.

The difficulty is the trimmings and rogue elements like brussels sprouts (New Zealand Sauvignon can just about cope).

Red wine is the safe choice, especially Pinot Noir which matches particularly well with the dark meat.

Bronze turkeys could be served with a rich white such as Alsace Pinot Gris (for example, Trimbach) but they are a better match with rich reds such as a spicy Grenache driven Southern Rhone from Chateauneuf du Pape (Dunnes Simply Better is excellent) or a fruity Spanish red.

Christmas pudding will work with most dessert wines but I advise skipping the Sauternes for something like a Tawny Port (Taylors 10 perhaps) or a Banyuls or Maury (Mas Amiel from Bubble Brothers).

Irish whiskey is how I always finish off my Christmas Day and Powers Three Swallows Single Pot Still and the Teelings Single Grain are both well worth their €45.

Pre-Dinner Drinks

Kalak Vodka, Ireland — €43.95 

Stockists: Bradleys www.bradleysofflicence.ie, Ardkeen, World Wide Wines, Celtic Whiskey Shop

Kalak was launched this year and is distilled in West Cork from malted barley. This is a rich complex vodka with aromas of brioche, coconut and vanilla with a fine textural quality. Serve from the freezer as shots or use in cocktails.

Blackwater No. 5 Gin, Ireland, 500ml — €29.95 

Stockists: Bradleys Cork, Kellehers SuperValu Cappoquin, Castle Off-licences, Celtic Whiskey Shop

While the whiskey revolution continues apace don’t forget about the gin revival. This is my current favourite although I’m also a fan of Dingle Gin and the newest kid on the block Thin Gin.

Christmas Dinner

Starter:

Veuve Clicquot NV Rosé Champagne, France — €70 

Stockists:  The Loop Dublin and Cork Airports (€46), World Wide Wines, 1601 Kinsale, O’Briens, Molloys

All champagne matches fish starters from oysters or smoked salmon, but pink champagne adds a little extra richness.

Meyer-Fonné Pinot Blanc Vielle Vignes, Alsace, France — €17.95

Stockists: Bradleys, World Wide Wines, Ballymaloe Garden Shop, Le Caveau, Green Man Terenure

Alsace Pinot Blanc has the richness and mineral complexity you need for smoked salmon and this is a particularly good example.

Main Course:

Blés Crianza 2012, Valencia, Spain — €12

Stockist: Dunnes Stores

A blend of Monastrell and Tempranillo, this is a fruit-driven crowd-pleaser that will work with the ham as well as the turkey, pheasant, and/or beef. Spice and dark cherry fruit aromas, chocolate, and darker plum flavours with a lingering dried fruit character.

Marchard de Gramont Chorey-les-Beaune 2011, Burgundy, France — €24.70

Stockist: Karwigs Carrigaline, karwigwines.ie

Pinot Noir is my favourite wine with turkey. This choice is from Burgundy making well-made characterful wines at a fair price. Fragrant red fruits, strawberries, and cherries with a hint of foresty earthiness.

Christmas Pudding

Bleasedale “The Wise One” Grand Tawny, Langhorne Creek, Australia - €19.99

Stockist: Curious Wines Cork and Naas www.curiouswines.ie

Aged in small oak barrels for up to 10 years and given some exposure to heat and oxygen to bring out Madeira-like flavours.

Packed with dried fruits, figs, and caramel. Buy two Bleasdale wines and it’s just €15.99.

After Dinner

Teelings Single Grain Whiskey - €45.00

Stockists:  Bradleys, O’Donovans, No. 21, O’Briens, Castle Tralee

This is a 46% ABV corn- based whiskey that gets its depth and complexity from time spent ageing in Californian Cabernet Sauvignon cask.