Majestic’s Top 10 Christmas Wines for 2024

Canapés and welcome drinks:

If you’re looking for the perfect drink to welcome guests, a sparkling option like a prosecco or Champagne is always a crowd pleaser. A classic choice is the Graham Beck Brut, having won countless awards for producing some of South Africa’s finest sparkling wines – some of which have been sipped by the likes of Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama. It’s sure to win everyone over.

A great match for canapés is the Laurent-Perrier 'La Cuvée' Brut Champagne, A sparkling wine for which the recipe has been recently altered and perfected. The old wine was already one of the best-selling Champagnes in the world – but they knew they could create something better. It's a uniquely fresh fizz made predominantly from Chardonnay and is a popular choice for discerning Champagne fans. For those who aren’t fans of sparkling, or prefer something a little more casual, why not go for an easy-going beer option like Estrella Damm. This refreshing Mediterranean lager isn’t too strong in flavour, and will appeal to every palate.

Appetisers and starters:

For light appetisers like salads or starters featuring mild cheeses, why not try the Roberto Sarotto 'Campo dell'Olio' Gavi di Gavi. Roberto Sarotto’s interpretation of the region's iconic white wine, known as ‘The Chablis of Italy’,  is made from 100% Cortese grapes. It undergoes a long, cool fermentation process to draw out the grape's signature aromatics and its vibrant acidity is lovely with light cheeses like mozzarella and burrata.

Alternatively, a delicious option with fish and seafood starters is the Villemarin Picpoul de Pinet. An appellation next to the Languedoc’s Thau lagoon near Montpellier, the area is a plateau covered in vines, fragrant garrigue herbs and pine groves. Its flavours are sun-ripened and as fresh as the salty winds that race across the lagoon, making them the perfect partner for shellfish, especially oysters.

Main Courses:

If you’re looking for an ideal pairing for the vegetarian elements in your menu, the Fairleigh Estate Sauvignon Blanc is delicious with sautéed greens, Asian dishes, lasagne or casseroles. The tart acidity of a Sauvignon fresh herbs, greens and citrus flavours. Its vegetal notes are also great with spring vegetables like zucchini and asparagus. 

Alternatively for slightly heavier vegetarian options like tomato based and Italian dishes, the Nero Oro Appassimento is a smooth, full-bodied, slightly sweet red full of concentrated fruit flavours. Its silky texture makes it a great match for aubergine-based pasta or Parmigiana.

For chicken, turkey and roast meats the Marqués de Riscal Rioja Reserva has wonderfully complementary flavours of plum and spices. Riscal Reserva is one of the most famous wines in Spain and each grape is selected from vines that are at least 50 years old as mature vines make the tastiest grapes. For red meat like steak and beef the BenMarco Malbec is ripe, juicy and seriously concentrated, making it a great choice. Packed with flavours of blackberry and oaky vanilla spice, it is made by the first woman in Argentina to graduate with a degree in winemaking, becoming President of Wines in Argentina no less than three times.

Otherwise an all-round winner for meat dishes, from red meat to pork and lamb, is the Château Recougne Bordeaux Supérieur. Legend has it that during a stay at Château Recougne in the 16th century, Henri IV was so impressed by the quality of the wine he declared the château’s land ‘terra recognita’ – recognised land and the wax seal on the label is a symbol of the coveted designation. It’s adaptable with aromas of black fruits, violets, spices and liquorice.

Dessert:

You’ll want to finish off your festive menu with something memorable, and the Royal Tokaji Late Harvest definitely fits the bill. This wine's sweetness is achieved by extending the ripening time of the grapes on the vine, increasing their sugar content. Expect rich notes of ripe peach, exotic fruits and blossom, making it a great pairing for fruit tarts, baklava, or ripe blue cheese. 

For fans of sherry the Gonzalez Byass 30-year-old Pedro Ximenez Sherry is a lovely choice. Christmassy flavours of dates, cinnamon, clove, treacle and caramel combine deliciously. Drink with Christmas pudding, or drizzle over quality vanilla ice cream for an extra treat. What better way to top off a sumptuous menu than with a rich, indulgent dessert pairing, Cheers!