Kelli Coxhead from the Wine Shop in Winscombe talks to us about selecting the wine for your Christmas Day with a number of suggestions for the best accompaniments. If like me, this is an area you lack in total understanding then Kelli’s advice will only aid in making your Christmas day more flavourful.

Christmas is that time of year when we allow ourselves to have those little luxuries that we refrain from the rest of year. So let’s have a look at what you can indulge in this Christmas!

Christmas mid-morning and the festive cheer begins, and pop goes the cork on Prosecco or Champagne which is always a mighty fine way to start, however if that isn’t your thing what would you go for?

A suggestion is a lovely long refreshing drink with ice and a slice of lemon; white port and tonic. When we think of Port, it normally conjures up images of a rich red drink that goes with cheese and could be responsible for finishing you off at the end of the night, whereas a white port and tonic is a great and refreshing way to start the festive season! Neipoort Dry White Port

When it comes to the feast of Christmas dinner whether you’ll be having turkey or something else, here are a few suggestions for its accompaniment:

Turkey

Chianti , big full white alternatively such a wine from the Macon region

Goose

Pinot Noir (Chapel Hill) and a scrumptious mouth-watering Riesling for those that prefer a white (Dr Loosen Red Slate Dry Riesling)

Beef

Red wine all the way! Cabernet sauvignon classic Bordeaux (Ch du Blassan) or try Coonawarra Cabernet (The Cigar)

Pork

A Cote du Rhone (Ch Griveliere) would be great and for the white, an oaked chardonnay (Vondeling)

Salmon

Lots of choice on whites: Picpoul de Pinet, Muscadet sur Lie or a sauvignon blanc from the Loire valley

Nut Roast

 If you serve with a tomato based sauce I would opt for an Italian red, a wine from Southern Italy where you get incredible value for money, Primitivo.

Now for my favourite dish of the day, dessert with lots of choice! If you are going for a classic Christmas pudding then a wine to match would be an Australian Rutherglen Muscat, rich in dried fruit with a refreshing zinginess of citrus that works wonders.

If you are going for a lighter sponge, fruit driven dish, then another beautiful wine from Australia is the Deen de Bortoli Vat 5. aged for 5 years, it gives you intense marmalade, citrus and honeysuckle taste with a mouth-watering lingering finish of burnt orange (£8.99 half bottle).

Still have room for more? Of course you do, it’s amazing how we find just a little extra space. The cheese board, and yes let’s go back to how we started the day, Port. There are different styles of Port; Ruby, LBV, Tawny but what do they all mean?!

Ruby – This is your easiest of styles, young and fruity. I recommend Neipoort Ruby Dum

LBV– Indicates Late Bottle Vintage; this is where the ageing of the Port takes place in the barrel for 4-6 years, this allows you to open the port after bottling to enjoy. Traditional LBV’s will need to be decanted to remove the sediment. Quinta do Noval unfiltered LBV

Tawny– This is a wine aged in a barrel that has lost that bright red colour and developed the ‘tawny’ colour. This gives a softer style of port of dried fruit and nuts with a lovely smooth finish. I have found that those that say they don’t like port love this style. Senior Tawny.

If you would like help in choosing wine for your Christmas day or to select a special Christmas gift please don’t hesitate to pop in. We have a wide range of wine, spirits and Christmas ideas from £3.99.

All the wines mentioned are available from the Wine Shop in Winscombe.

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