Uncork These Wonderful Wine Gifts This Year
Wine is such an important rite of passage at Christmas. From the classic red your Dad loves and is gifted bottle after bottle each year yet will never tire of, to the new generation of wine lovers bringing their own expressions to the party (quite literally) - we love a good festive wine. Deep heavy reds at the Christmas table, bottles of fresh crisp whites being poured over game boards and the clinking of each one in between. And just like wines - the recipients all have their own unique tastes, flavour profiles and characteristics of their own - and we truly believe there is a bottle out there for everyone (or in our case, three, or four, or five…) This year we have an incredible list of some of the most beautiful bottles on the shelves to date, with some added gadgets and goodies thrown in for that wine lover who just, well… has everything.
Pasqua
Hey French You Could Have Made This But You Didn’t, White Wine - Pasqua
This tongue-in-cheek bottle is the perfect gift for those that love a wine with character. Pasqua are known for pushing the boundaries while still maintaining the highest of qualities; ‘Hey French’ (£32, Harrods Wine Shop) is no exception. This unconventional wine plays homage to the brands’ patronage of the arts and blends three different grape varieties (Garganega, Pinot Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc) and vintages (2015, 2016, 2017
and 2018) to create an elegant but complex wine that has a great ageing potential and an even better conversation starter. You can expect almond, citrus and tropical fruits with notes of white pepper and chamomile with a fresh and fragrant finish.
Pernod Ricard
Castillo de Ibiza Pale Rose Wine
Not only does this bottle scream elegance, its refreshing taste is one you will be sure to remember (unless you drink too much of it, it is dangerously drinkable!). Being the newbie to the Pernod Ricard wine portfolio, the Castillo de Ibiza (£12, Amazon) had an incredibly high standard to reach; don’t let it fool you - what it lacks in colour, it makes up for in taste. The pale pink has an iridescent peach vibrancy; we love the fruity notes of this: watermelon, strawberry and cherry that lingers on the palate with a creamy finish, making it a perfect pairing for chicken, fish, pasta and a whole manner of cheeses.
eto
eto Exclusive Finishes
These beyond stunning decanters have a whole heap of awards behind them, and we can definitely see why. Not only are they visually beautiful (and come in 7 different finishes, including: Limited Edition Graphite Steel, Brass, Stainless and Copper Satin), but the technology in which they harvest inside - a featured patent - allows the flavour of wine to be expertly preserved for up to two weeks, by preventing oxidisation but also offering the benefits of decanting therefore enhancing the drinking experience twofold. The eto decanter (£139, eto wine) not only reduces the amount of wine wastage but is designed to last a lifetime - so you can enjoy your favourite wines for years to come - without worrying about the taste, colour or drinking experience deteriorating. It really is the gift that keeps on giving; looks beautiful placed on any mantle or at home bar. A must-have for any wine lover.
WSET
The Level 1 - Wine & Spirit Education Trust
Did you know it’s now possible for the every day human to take the WSET’s (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) globally recognised Level 1 course? With everything online (or in a classroom of your preferred location) including the exam, the Level 1 Award is a great gift for anyone who has a passion for wine and would love to ignite that flame further. The course (from £160, WSET Global) covers everything from identifying the main types and styles of wine through to being able to describe and accurately pair wine and food together. Upon completion you will have your certification of qualification (and a gorgeous lapel pin to wear with pride) which can help you progress or start your career in the drinks industry - or just impress your friends and family.
Mary Berry
Signature Carafe - Mary Berry
Staying true to Mary Berry’s effortless style, this gorgeous hand-blown glass carafe (£25.99, Potters Cook Shop) is part of her Signature collection (which FYI, we want it ALL) and comes complete with a round Acacia wood stopper - an unusual shape for such carafe, but one that adds a sense of elegance to your table and really enhances your favourite bottle of wine. Its sleek, beautiful and simplistic style allows the wine to really shine and transforms any formal or informal dining experience; making the world of wine more accessible and less scary - but always more elegant.
Terlingham Vineyard
Caesar’s Camp 2018 Red Wine
This beautiful still red from Terlingham’s boutique Vineyard is something truly special. Needing an early Spring and a long hot Summer, Terlingham are only able to make this Caesar’s Camp (£23.50, Terlingham Vineyard) every 5 years or so - with the last being 2018. Using a blend of Rondo and Dornfelder you can expect dense bramble fruits on the nose with a finish of blackcurrant and liquorice on the palate. It may be a deep dark red in the bottle but it’s light in the mouth really highlighting those natural flavours and a 10% ABV. For the best pour, decant for 15-20 minutes to allow this elegant wine to breathe.
Novel Mart
Wine Sweatshirt
Whether your bottle of choice is Pinot Noir, Côtes du Rhône or Sangiovese there’s a cosy cap, hoodie, sweatshirt or tee available from indie clothing brand Novel Mart, who have just release their new range of wine apparel, perfect for your next wine and cheese night. Each item(ranging from £35, Novel Mart) is playfully emblazoned with cult wine favourites in a variety of different colours including: Navy Blazer, Carbon Grey and Black. Plus each one is made to order, dramatically reducing waste in the fashion industry - a win in our wine-fuelled eyes.
Welcombe Hills Vineyard
Ophelia Blanc de Noirs
We love this wine for two reasons, one - they have perfectly married together two of our favourite guilty pleasures - wine and literature; two - this super beautiful Blanc de Noirs has quickly become one of our top wines for this year. With a 2014 vintage, Ophelia Blanc de Noirs (£29.99, Welcombe Hills) is aged for five years on the lees (formally farmed by Shakespeare’s family and leading suit to its namesake) giving it a beautiful zesty note which is full of freshness, depth and complexity making it a brilliantly balanced English Sparkling Wine perfect for any celebration. You get lemon, freshly baked brioche and subtle cherry hints that pair perfectly with Turkey for the festive season as well as it does with Fish & Chips in the summer one. An all-rounded, super affordable luxurious treat for all year round.
Emma Britton
Exotic Floral Wine Glass
Available individually (£16, Emma Britton) or in a set of 4 (£59), these gorgeous glasses are hand finished with Emma’s exotic floral design, including Dahlias, Canna Lilies, Red Hot Pokers and Digitalis Firebirds. Each one is made from durable crystal creating a modern wine glass that would look beautiful in any at-home-bar. With a thick yet sleek stem these 46cl glasses hold a generous glass of your favourite vino all while looking beautiful doing so. The pattern is also available in Champagne Coupes, Tumblers and Hi Balls.