The festive season would not be complete without wine

Good food and drink is an essential part of Christmas. We tasted some excellent wines for the season, how to pair them with the festive flavours, and recommend some gift-worthy bottles. Whether you’re seeking a drink to accompany a sumptuous meal, or just looking for a great gift, the right bottle of wine makes everything so much better.

2022 Cantina Terlano Quarz Sauvignon Blanc Alto Adige, Italy ABV 14%

If my taste buds yearn for oysters or salmon tartare, I have discovered a new partner, from Alto Adige. A delicate Sauvignon Blanc that does justice to its name with fine texture, depth and salty aftertaste making a noble white for your Christmas table. Aged on lees for nine months, 50% aged in big wooden barrels it has a brilliant straw yellow colour, with enticing exotic aromas, mango, papaya, lime and red grapefruit and some herbal aromas of lemon grass, lemon balm and mint tea. The aromas are framed with mineral notes of flint combined with gooseberry. Juicy fruit on the palate, pronounced acidity, delicate minerality with long and impressive finish. Also enjoy with white asparagus risotto. (€65, My Vine Merchants)

2023 Karipidis Estate Sauvignon Blanc, PGI Kranona, Greece, ABV 12.5%

Karipidis Estate is a family-owned winery in Vounaina, Thessaly, Greece. Vines are chosen carefully and the winery now practises organic farming. Bright, light-yellow colour with green and golden hues, distinctive fragrance, accompanied by complex aromas and flavour of ripe fruit, melon, peach, pineapple and quince, touch of white pepper, vanilla, nuts and green apple on a vegetal background of asparagus and pepper. Round and ripe flavours and slightly sweet mouth cool acidity and freshness in the aftertaste. Excellent with grilled chicken sprinkled with herbs, seafood risotto, baked salmon with honey and black pepper, or poached fish with cream sauce. (€18, Icon Vines/Christakis Michael Fine Spirits and Wines)

2021 Domaine Sautereau, Sancerre, Valle de Loire, France, ABV 13%

The vineyard plots are in the communes of Crézancy-En-Sancerre, Bué and Sancerre, offering the benefits of a diverse array of terroirs. Aged on lees in stainless steel tanks, it has a pale to medium lemon-yellow colour. The nose is open and intense. There are pleasant aromas of apples and citrus, especially grapefruit, and exotic mango and passion fruit. The attack is fresh and lively with dazzling fruit flavours. Crisp tightly textured and dynamic blend that combines delicious floral and fruit notes and candied lemon. It displays a tension that combines directness with appreciable finesse. Perfect as an aperitif or delicious with white fish, seafood and, of course, goat’s cheese. (€27, Two Wine Merchants – La Bodega Cava)

2016 Errazuriz Max Reserva, Cabernet Sauvignon, Aconcagua Valley, Chile, ABV 14%

Errazuriz’s Max range is named after founder Don Maximiano Errázuriz who started the winery in 1870. He noticed the amazing potential of the terroir in the Aconcagua Valley and was the first to plant French varieties there. His risk paid off. A rich Cabernet-dominated blend with a dash of Petit Verdot and Syrah for good measure. Well-aged, good value, the Errazuriz Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon shows balance and complexity well beyond its price point. Rich chocolate and floral aromas complement the flavours of ripe blackberry, cassis, currant and sweet herbs and spices – cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. This exceptional red would pair well with prime rib or steak. Grilled steak or roast lamb with Portobello mushrooms. (€18.80, Vinologie)

2021 Château Langoa Barton Saint-Julien Grand Cru Classé, Bordeaux, ABV 13%

Aromatically energetic and bouncy, with a certain sturdiness on the palate but also a finely judged structure that guides rather than dominates the finish. Bright plum in colour, austere with red cherry and blackberry, strict tannic structure that opens through the mid palate to allow some juice and sandalwood smoke to run through the fruit. Ideal for the roast turkey. (€85, La Maison du Vin)

2017 Argyrakis Winery Chronos, Xinomavro PDO Naoussa, Greece, ABV 14.5%

Introducing a remarkable 100% Xinomavro, a wine with a rich heritage. This Xinomavro is the Argyrakis family’s hidden gem, crafted from a bold decision to reduce crop yield to just 500kg in a select vineyard in Naoussa. The meticulous selection of grapes and traditional winemaking methods have created a wine that can age gracefully for 15-20 years. With 28 months of ageing in French oak barrels and 5-6 years in the bottle, this wine promises an exceptional experience. Captivating aromas of tomato, blackberries, spices and liquorice. On the palate, it impresses with a rich body, solid tannins and a remarkable aftertaste. Chronos is the perfect choice for those seeking a classic and enduring wine. If you have game on the Christmas table this is excellent with smoked wild boar, pheasant stew or hare, beef or lamb Stifado. (€36.50, Cavaway)

2016 Château Cissac Haut Medoc, Bordeaux, ABV 13%

One of the sleepers of the vintage, has a dark cherry, plum, liquorice, new leather and tobacco all flesh out in this inviting, resonant Haut-Médoc. A wine with gorgeous presence and no hard edges. 58% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot, with dollops of Petit Verdot 7%. Serve with Côte de boeuf and Bearnaise sauce or roast lamb with rosemary. (€36, Wine & More)