Insider Picks: Wines to Enjoy this Christmas
Insider Picks:
Wines to enjoy this Christmas
Our team picks the Best Bottles to Enjoy This Festive Season
As the festivities begin, winter calls for comfort, celebration and a little indulgence. Whether you're hosting a Christmas feast, wrapping gifts on a cosy evening, or planning a New Year’s toast, you need the right bottle to perfectly elevate every moment. Read on to discover our choices...
Lucy Dixon - Assistant Merchandiser
If you’re hosting this Christmas, I love having a variety of reds on hand. The French Reds Selection is a brilliant festive addition, bringing together smooth Bordeaux, spicy Rhône reds and an elegant Pinot Noir, this case offers something for everyone - and works beautifully across long lunches, cosy evenings and Boxing Day feasts.
Perfect for:
-
Big family gatherings
-
Parties where guests have mixed tastes
-
Boxing Day leftover feasts
-
Long, relaxed winter dinners
My best pairings:
The beauty of this selection is its versatility! Enjoy the lighter Pinot Noir with turkey, ham or creamy starters. Pour the juicier Rhône reds with sausages, stuffing, roasted vegetables or spiced dishes. Save the smoother, fuller Bordeaux bottles for beef, lamb, game or mushroom-based mains.
My festive serve tip:
Match the wine to the moment: pour lighter reds slightly chilled (14–15°C), and decant the fuller-bodied bottles for at least 20 minutes to let the flavours bloom. Keeping a selection open across the table turns your meal into a festive tasting experience for everyone.
Sophie Taylor - Buyer
Christmas and New Year wouldn’t be complete without bubbles, and for me Léon Launois Brut Champagne is the bottle I will be reaching for all season long. Crafted in the Côte des Blancs, this refined Champagne delivers delicate orchard fruit - think peach, apricot and yellow plum - lifted by fine, persistent bubbles and a subtle biscuity richness.
Perfect for:
-
Christmas morning mimosas
-
Festive aperitifs
-
Toasts around the table
-
Welcoming guests as they arrive
My best pairings:
Champagne truly shines with food. Pair it with smoked salmon blinis, prawns, oysters, light canapés, or soft cheeses like Brie. Its acidity cuts beautifully through richer, saltier flavours, making it a standout with roast parsnips, pigs in blankets or anything buttery.
My festive serve tip:
Chill well (around 6–8°c) and open just before pouring to preserve the lively spritz. For a festive twist, drop in a frozen cranberry or two as a garnish.
Jack Smith - Chief Retail Officer
If there were ever a wine made for cold evenings and big winter plates, for me it’s Primitivo. Pillastro is full-bodied, generous and bold that’s brimming with dark berry fruit, warm spice and a velvety depth that feels instantly like comfort in a glass.
Perfect for:
-
Cosy nights in
-
Boxing Day leftovers
-
Rich, hearty Christmas mains
-
Slow-cooked stews and roasts
My best pairings:
This wine is your go-to for flavour-packed meals. I reccomend you try it with roast beef or lamb, game dishes, tomato-based pasta or lasagne. Its richness particuarly complements dishes with herbs like rosemary, thyme and sage.
My festive serve tip:
Open the bottle 30 minutes before serving or decant, this will allow the aromatic fruit to shine.
Hannah Jordaan - Head of Digital Commerce
Crisp, elegant and beautifully balanced, this is the perfect option for those who prefer a white wine at Christmas. It offers freshness without sacrificing depth – I think it’s a brilliant match for the flavours of a traditional Christmas feast.
Perfect for:
-
Christmas Day lunch
-
Boxing Day buffets
-
Lighter festive dishes
-
Seafood and creamy starters
My best pairings:
Works wonderfully with roast turkey, chicken, glazed ham, creamy gratins, root vegetables, smoked salmon or a rich fish pie.
My festive serve tip:
Serve lightly chilled (10–12°C) - too cold and the flavours will hide, too warm and it loses its crispness!a
Vicki Jarman - Customer Servicing Manager
Few bottles say “festive season” quite like Baileys. Creamy, indulgent and irresistibly smooth, for me it’s the perfect way to round off an evening - whether that’s after a long Christmas dinner or as a fireside nightcap.
Perfect for:
-
Christmas movie nights
-
After-dinner sipping
-
Pouring over ice cream or desserts
-
Adding to your hot chocolate or coffee
My best pairings:
Enjoy it alongside mince pies, chocolate desserts, Christmas pudding, tiramisu or anything spiced and sweet! It also makes a luxurious topping for a festive affogato or a chocolate yule log.
My festive serve tip:
Serve over large ice cubes to keep it creamy but cold or warm it gently into a Baileys hot chocolate topped with whipped cream.