Will Knott (via Twitter) asked (or challenged?) me to pick out 6 wines to give as presents.
So, I’ve gone for three reds and three whites and here they are:
The Reds
1. Sparkling Shiraz (Black Chook)
I’ve gone a little left field in choosing a sparkling red wine. I’ve had the Black Chook Shiraz Viognier (which I really liked) so I trust this producer to deliver. Besides, although somewhat a novelty-wine, it’s certainly going to be remembered.
2. Speri Prodigo Malbec 2004
Alessandro Speri is an Italian who set up shop in Argentina. He named this one after his history (A “Prodigal” son). This one is in Best of Wine in Ireland 2008 and is available from Bubble Brothers who are based in Cork.
3. Astrolabe Pinot Noir
With a big plate of turkey & ham with loads of gravy, you’ve got to have a Pinot Noir and I’m going new world, this time to New Zealand with Astrolabe Pinot Noir available from O’Briens and other wine shops.
The Whites
4. Hewitson Eden Valley Riesling 2005
This one is available from Berry Brothers and Rudd. Eden Valley in South Australia is getting a great reputation for Riesling, particularly in 2005. Not quite a subtle as a French Riesling (from Alsace), this a good present for someone like me who normally drinks red. Also one for the Christmas turkey, but will go especially well with salty ham, I reckon.
5. Chablis Domaine Chatelain
Available from wineonline.ie, this is a Chablis (made from Chardonnay as all Chablis is) this one would go great with Turkey as it has a “lively acidity”.
6. Sauternes Castelanu de Suduiraut 2002
This one is a dessert wine, excellent with the Christmas pud. At €25, it’s a fiver over budget, but worth it nonetheless as this stuff can be quite expensive.
So, that’s my 6 wines for pressies with a view to drinking with Christmas dinner.
What about you, what would you recommend to give as a present or to have with the traditional Christmas dinner?
Thanks for recommending one of ours! If anyone wants to give a really generous present of the Speri Malbec, I have a couple of wooden boxes-of-six here at the Wine Depot, which Alessandro sent on our last order to see if they might appeal. They’re nailed shut through metal straps, and look as though they might contain grenades or flares instead of wine, which is kinda cool (for want of a better expression). I agree about the NZ Pinot Noir: just the job.
Excellent. Thanks for this.
Thanks, Julian. I’m loving my malbecs. I started with Cahors but Argentina delivers brilliant value.
Totally agree Lar – Argentinan Malbec is ridiculously good value !
Is it not Black Chook ? for the sparkling ?
Reviewed it on blog a while back, really well made sparkler. Good price point to !
Thanks for that Frank, keeping me honest. It is indeed Black Chook and I’ve updated the blog with the above.