Tina Gellie, Content material Supervisor and Regional Editor (Australia, South Africa, New Zealand & Canada)
It was an enormous yr of Decanter journey for me, heading to Napa and New York in June, South Africa in October and most just lately per week every in Margaret River and South Australia. These journeys have shaped the idea of my festive alternatives.
Christmas lunch on North Stradbroke Island (reunited with my household after 4 years, no because of Covid) at all times begins with oysters, adopted by a bucket of prawns. Cue elbowing away a dozen others to peel and eat the largest ones as quick as attainable earlier than diving in for extra.
Solely a idiot would pause to take a sip of wine throughout this melee, however after the shells have been cleared, it’s time to savour a glass or two. I’m pondering of a blanc de blancs glowing from DAOSA within the Adelaide Hills, a Polish Hill Riesling from Jeffrey Grosset within the Clare Valley or one of many excellent single-site Chenin Blancs from David & Nadia Sadie or Alheit Vineyards in South Africa’s Swartland.
Stylish Chardonnay at all times works a deal with with my sister’s gravadlax. Possibly a Margaret River choice like Cullen’s Kevin John or McHenry Hohnen’s Calgardup Brook? Or one thing from Ataraxia or Creation in Hemel-en-Aarde?
Temperatures are unusually average in Queensland this December, so good to get pleasure from an enormous crimson with the barbecued joint of meat. Too many selections right here. Will or not it’s a Napa Cabernet from Corison, Favia or Gallica? A Barossa Shiraz from Yalumba, Henschke or Rockford, and even Donovan Rall’s tremendous Ava Syrah from Swartland? Then once more, who can go previous a McLaren Vale Grenache – significantly in tribute to the late D’Arry Osborn of D’Arenberg.
Regardless of the bottles will probably be, many toasts will probably be made in because of so many fantastic producers around the globe whose wines have seen us via yet one more eventful yr. Right here’s to 2023!
Amy Wislocki, Journal Editor
That is the primary Christmas since my beloved mom died in February, and so will probably be a low-key affair for my household. Often we spend the vacation on the north Devon coast, however all of us needed a change in routine this yr so will probably be staying native. One benefit of that isn’t having to move all of the wines for the vacations all the way down to Devon – that’s plenty of planning and plenty of wine relating to my household.
On Christmas Day this yr we’ll be elevating a glass in my mom’s reminiscence, with the wines that she cherished probably the most, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc (Elephant Hill in Hawkes Bay is a favorite) and blanc de blanc Champagne – because it’s Christmas, we’d push the boat out with the just lately launched Taittinger Comte de Champagne 2012. She cherished Champagne a lot that she even accompanied me to document a visitor slot for BBC Radio 2 – it was me, fellow wine knowledgeable Susy Atkins, and my mom, because the client. Simply one among many particular recollections.
Clive Pursehouse, US Editor
Lastly, after two years of problem, Christmas and New Yr’s appear to be returning to a way of normalcy. I’m flying my mom throughout the nation to see her granddaughter, realising that since she was born, I’ve been a distant second fiddle.
I like to think about this stretch of time visiting with family and friends as a key alternative to open these wines I’ve been holding onto or new discoveries I actually need my wine-curious family and friends members to strive.
In the case of new wine discoveries, I’ve received two Oregon producers in thoughts that may permit me to point out my family and friends new wines and unknown names.
For bubbles, I’ll be popping a cork from a little-known producer of Oregon glowing wines, Kramer Vineyards. Kim Kramer could be probably the most underrated winemakers in Oregon and is especially deft with bubbles. Her Kramer Vineyards 2017 Brut Blanc de Blancs with 47 months of tirage is wildly scrumptious, each contemporary and opulent. Have been it from France; it could value two to a few instances its value.
A Syrah, usually from Washington State, is a go-to at my family any time we’re making ready a critical meal. This Christmas, although, I’ll be stunning of us with a Syrah from the Oregon aspect of the Columbia Gorge, a area that features websites from each states. The Hundred Suns 2019 Columbia Gorge Syrah was a spotlight after I tasted it with Charles Curtis MW on the vineyard in September. It’s loaded with a savoury and mineral character and tons of contemporary fruit, and it’ll make for an ideal pairing with any heavy vacation delicacies.
The principle course this yr for Christmas dinner will probably be a major rib roast, and I’ve the right wine for it, one I’ve been cellaring for a number of years. I plan on popping a 2013 Beaulieu Vineyards Georges de Latour. An iconic wine from one among America’s wine icons. It’s prime rib; no motive to fiddle.
To finish the night, I’m opening a Ramos Pinto Quinta de Bom Retiro 20-Yr-Outdated Tawny Port. Sure, I do, in actual fact, recognise that it’s not from the US. I could be the US Editor, however I do love Port. It pairs properly with cheese, sweets and even simply contemplation of life’s bigger questions: What’s the which means of life? How is Santa Claus capable of be in any respect these malls without delay, and did I actually need a second serving to of all the pieces?
Merry Christmas, everybody.
James Button, Regional Editor (Italy)
The centrepiece for the day’s actions this yr will focus round a twin South African assault in magnum format: Clean Bottle’s Little William Syrah and David & Nadia’s Chenin Blanc. I’m not too hung up on meals and wine matching so the thought is that everyone can dip out and in as they select.
I’ve had a case of Vilmart’s Grand Cellier NV Champagne in storage for the previous couple of years, so a bottle this Christmas Day will probably be an excellent excuse to get pleasure from this doughy, lemony deal with. Likewise, it’s about time to tug out one other bottle of Vega Sicilia’s Valbuena 5 2008; final time I attempted it a number of years in the past it was nonetheless tight and unyielding – right here’s hoping it has lastly begun to loosen up, simply as I intend to do!
My first go to to Piedmont concerned a keep at Guido Porro in Serralunga, and ingesting a wine from the winery our balcony missed, within the Lazzarito cru, brings again fond recollections, so the property’s Vigna Santa Caterina 2010 will probably be a really welcome addition to the desk this Christmas. Guido Porro is a vineyard on the up and I totally advocate its traditionally-styled Nebbiolos. Yum!
Natalie Earl, Regional Editor (France, excluding Bordeaux & Burgundy)
Christmas on the in-laws this yr… however fortunately this notion is much less terrifying figuring out that I’ll have a glass of candy pink bubbles in my hand on Christmas morning. I tasted Philippe Balivet’s Récolte Cécile Bugey Cerdon 2020 earlier within the yr and I knew I’d have to get my palms on a bottle for Christmas aperitifs. Bugey Cerdon is a rosé glowing wine from France’s jap border, close to Savoie, constructed from the Gamay and Poulsard varieties within the méthode ancestrale. This ends in some residual sweetness and pretty low alcohol, making it the proper late breakfast tipple: vibrant, grapey and scrumptious.
I’ve a 1999 Savennières Roches aux Moines lurking within the cellar that wants ingesting now, and to mood the wealthy characters I’m anticipating from that wine I’ll discover a contemporary South African Chenin to crack open too. On the crimson entrance, I’m excited to open the Scar of the Sea Syrah from San Luis Obispo in California, alongside a crimson Crozes-Hermitage for a compelling comparability. As a lot as I’d get pleasure from a liquid lunch, there’ll in fact be all the works on the meals entrance, with a mixture of meat and vegetarian choices, and I’m banking on these bottles pairing properly sufficient with most dishes. A recently-gifted bottle of Tokaji, a favorite of the mother-in-law, will virtually actually be polished off with the cheese board, and a snifter of 2004 Michel Huard Calvados paired with mince pies will carry the indulgence to a superb shut.
Alex Layton, Head of Advertising
This yr will probably be a mixture of the basic and off-the-beaten monitor, with loads of inspiration taken from these very pages.
To kickstart proceedings would be the supremely decadent Frerejean Frères, Cuvée des Hussards, Premier Cru, Champagne 2012 – a Platinum medal winner from the 2019 Decanter World Wine Awards and a Champagne that has developed additional luxurious layers and complexity over the previous three years.
The primary white of the day would be the sensational Gutter&Stars Bacchus 2021 – skilfully produced by Decanter contributor Chris Wilson in an city vineyard positioned in a Cambridge windmill, no much less. This 100% Bacchus has actual zing and verve alongside the textured and layered palate. Lip-smackingly scrumptious and positively one thing a bit totally different alongside smoked salmon or a basic prawn cocktail.
Turkey would be the essential centrepiece as soon as once more this yr, however the vinous associate will probably be just a little totally different from our normal new world Pinot Noir…
In steps the superbly gentle, brilliant and crunchy Riccitelli, Outdated Vine Bastardo from Patagonia. It has loads of pure crimson cherry fruit flavours, an exquisite purity and vibrancy and silky clean tannins which ought to match sensationally.
And one thing just a little stronger for the night rounds of video games and quizzes?
I’ve had an actual penchant for North American rye whiskey over the previous 12 months – and the Whistlepig 15 Yr Outdated is a very chic instance – exhibiting hallmark peppery notes over hints of honey-roasted nuts and maple. A really particular hearth sipper or luxurious base for a Manhattan.
Julie Sheppard, Regional Editor (Spain, Portugal & South America)
I’ll be internet hosting the household for Christmas this yr and to get celebrations began, I’m planning to open a number of bottles of English fizz. Hope & Glory The Mix 2017 is a Chardonnay-Pinot Meunier sparkler made by Hattingley Valley with wine writers Susie Barrie MW and Peter Richards MW. I’ve identified these two for years and so they’re enormous followers of English wines. However this bottle does good in addition to tasting good, with earnings of gross sales going to the Marine Conservation Society. Bottles are nonetheless that can be purchased in case you really feel like elevating a glass for a charity…
I’ll have a glass of Hope & Glory in hand whereas I’m within the kitchen… Regardless of having a small household, everybody has totally different tastes, so I’ll be cooking nut roast for the vegetarians, roast turkey for the traditionalists and roast beef for my father-in-law. Fortunately everybody agrees that they love roast potatoes…
This implies there will probably be a number of totally different bottles on the desk for meals pairing. As Regional Editor for Spain, Portugal and South America, I’ve tasted some nice wines from all of these areas this yr and have chosen a number of food-friendly favourites.
First up, a basic selection: Bodegas Pujanza’s Finca Valdepoleo 2018, a chic single-vineyard Rioja. Alongside Borja Pérez Viticultor Artifice Tinto 2018, an exhilarating volcanic wine from Tenerife constructed from Listán Negro – one of many stars of our Indigenous Spanish Reds Panel Tasting.
After the principle occasion, I’ll be raiding my Port assortment for a number of particular bottles. I’m a selected fan of tawny Ports, as they work properly with each cheeses and desserts – they’re nice with Christmas pudding and mince pies. A favorite is Sandeman 20 Yr Outdated Tawny. Good to sip on Christmas night!
Ines Salpico, Particular Tasks Editor
Christmas is often a time of joyous extra, a cheerful excuse to have a enjoyable battle of wine discovery. I’m fortunate sufficient to reside with a fellow wine geek and have been raised by one other, so annually we plunge into a number of days of vinous exploration, celebrating above all, the chance of spending time collectively on the identical aspect of the channel (I used to be born and raised in Portugal, the place my dad and mom reside).
Sadly, my father is battling most cancers and due to this fact unable to indulge. So this yr will probably be about aware selections – that one bottle that may justify the reluctant medical dispensation for one cheeky glass. We are going to go for one thing unpretentious and stylish, virtually actually from both Filipa Pato & William Wouters or Luis Seabra. It’s an attention-grabbing if merciless train: when every sip is borrowed from a analysis, learn how to make every sip rely?
Again in London, we’ll throw warning and woes to the wind and maintain a post-Christmas do with a few of our buddies and neighbours. The wine lineup will embrace some private favourites at present in our stash. Pietradolce, Arianna Occhipinti, Paul Weltner, Bründlmayer, Dermot Sugrue, Niepoort, Raúl Pérez, Gramona, Thymiopoulos and Denizot will probably be a number of the prime names on the wine record.
Right here’s to the tip of a surreal and hard yr and to a incredible 2023!
Sylvia Wu, Decanter China and Regional Editor (Asia, Northern & Jap Europe)
As at all times, I will probably be internet hosting our normal end-of-the-year gathering of buddies at residence. This yr, because of lifted journey restrictions, I’ve had extra alternatives to discover the fascinating wine scene of my ‘Remainder of the World’ areas of duty, so the expectations are excessive for me to point out one thing they’ve by no means tried earlier than.
I’ve put apart an English fizz, the Brut Rosé 2018 from Balfour Vineyard because the welcome apéritif to go together with snacks equivalent to rice crackers and roast sunflower seeds. The comparatively decrease acidity stage from a ripe classic mixed with the colourful crimson berry notes ought to impress even those that are much less eager on high-acid fizz.
For the BBQ, a single-vineyard dry Furmint, equivalent to Royal Tokaji’s Nyulászó 2018 ought to do the trick; the acacia honey on the nostril is immediately charming, whereas the alluring, textured palate of yellow fruits and the mineral acidity would pair properly with virtually all the pieces on the grill – from roasted abalone to ox tongue, beef galbi and the soy sauce-based Asian dressing.
With a savoury nostril and a clean, plummy palate, the Saperavi Qvevri 2019 by Koncho & Co is my prime candidate for the finely-cut lamb and beef slices – to be cooked with greens and mushrooms within the simmering scorching pot broth. Right here’s additionally my alternative to point out off a video of myself making an attempt to punch down the grape should right into a qvevri, the normal oval-shaped amphora buried underground, throughout my go to to the fascinating Kakheti area of Georgia.
Lastly, because the temperature drops and my company are prepared to move residence, it’s time for an old-school PX Sherry, or certainly a easy glass of mulled wine – nothing beautiful however simply what we have to heat up this winter.
