CULLENS QUALITY BUTCHERS Ask our friends at The Wicklow Wine Company for their festive suggestions.........
GREAT FOOD DESERVES GREAT WINE AT CHRISTMAS!
For the toast: it has to be ....fizz. Prosecco or Champagne Ponte di Piave Prosecco €13.25 Pierre Paillard Brut NV €38.95
Traditional turkey and ham: lots to choose from, versatile and wine friendly, but lets keep it classic - our top pick for white is a new Chablis Domaine George 2008 €17.50 and for red a Grenache-Syrah blend Rasteau Domaine Martin 2008 €15.60
Honey baked ham: head to Burgundy for classic Chardonnay or Pinot Noir from Rully both €23.95. For great value try French Vin de Pays Simone Joseph Chardonnay € 11.50 and Ardechois Pinot Noir €11.25
Rib of beef on the bone: this calls for pure tannin, reds only need apply, love Portugal Montefino 2004 €15.95
Duck: again reds only but with a little less tannin, full bodied with ripeness, southern Italians such as Negroamaro still on offer at €14.00
Goose: for red a Pinot Noir Francois Charles Hautes Cotes de Beaune 2005 €19.95, for white Riesling Deidesheimer Leinholhe Pfalz 2006 €17
Dessert: without question, Sauternes Chateau Haut Mayne 2008 is a great choice at €17.50 for a half bottle. Especially with plum pudding and cake try a tawny port such as Niepoort Senior at €19.95.
Also great with cheese.
Cheese: Stilton is a Christmas favourite and is amazing with port - Vintage, LBV or Tawny. For the very adventurous consider a Sauvignon Blanc.
Party food & Finger food: cocktail sausages, smoked salmon etc, keep the wines fruity and the tannins low - suggest sa de baixo red €10.75 and Quinta de Cabriz white €10.50
We ask What will the Wicklow Wine Company be pouring at their table?.......
Magnums - double the size, half the trouble with plenty of adults around it feels more generous to pour from a double bottle Cairanne Domaine Martin €40 (Barbara) The Chocolate Block €25 determined to convert people to the greatness of South African wine (Richard) Sprechen sie Riesling oder Gruner Veltliner (Ben) Bordeaux, dreaming winter wonderland, preferably first growths.....(Michael)
So celebrate with Santa's Reds.... perfect for a festive feast.
Have a White Christmas.......and add some Christmas Sparkle to get into the party mood.... The Wicklow Wine Co. has it all covered. visit www.wicklowwineco.ie for more fantastic wines.
