Category:Majestic Guides

The Majestic Gift Guide 2024

Looking for the perfect drinks to make this Christmas extra special? Our Majestic Gift Guide showcases a carefully curated selection of the best wines and beers that will elevate any festive celebration. With handpicked recommendations from our expert buyers, this guide is packed with crowd-pleasers for gifting, hosting, or enjoying yourself.

The countdown to Christmas is on. As we approach the festive season, the joy of selecting the perfect bottle to share at Christmas is undeniable – but what about gifting? Whether it’s for a loved one, a colleague or simply to add a special touch to a celebration, a carefully chosen wine, beer, or spirit makes for an unforgettable present. Below, we’ve curated a selection of festive favourites that double as excellent gift ideas, offering plenty of inspiration for spreading holiday cheer.

Our top 10 perfect drinks for Christmas

Discover some festive favourites hand picked by our Buyers, whether you’re looking to host this Christmas or look for the perfect pairing we’ve got you covered.

Roberto Sarotto 'Campo dell'Olio' Gavi di Gavi DOCG
Roberto Sarotto was the latest generation of his family to turn his hand to this historic winemaking region. This is his interpretation of the region's iconic white wine, known as ‘The Chablis of Italy’. It's made from 100% Cortese grapes on a 2-hectare vineyard and went through a long, cool fermentation process to draw out the grape's signature aromatics

Villemarin Picpoul de Pinet
Picpoul vines are almost exclusively grown in 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.

Fairleigh Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough
The winery is situated in the heart of the Marlborough wine growing region. Designed around the concept of "batch" winemaking, the winery has over 250 tanks ranging from 600L up to 240L. This allows them to assess the quality of the juice and wine that each vineyard produces separately.

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.

Nero Oro Appassimento, Sicily
Creator Stefano Chioccioli uses the appassimento style of winemaking. After picking, his grapes are left to dry out in the warm sun, adding richness and intensity. Dessert wines have been made this way in Sicily for centuries, but the dry Nero Oro is something entirely unique – and you’ll only find it at Majestic.

BenMarco Malbec, Mendoza
BenMarco is made in the Uco Valley, one of the finest spots in Mendoza, under the watchful eye of Susana Balbo. Susana was the first woman in Argentina to graduate with a degree in winemaking and was President of Wines of Argentina no less than three times. So you know you're in for something excellent.

Marqués de Riscal Rioja Reserva
In 1858, Riscal introduced the ‘Bordeaux method’ of barrel ageing to Rioja. From that moment on, the practice became integral to the region. Today, Riscal Reserva is one of the most famous wines in Spain. Each grape is selected from vines that are at least 50 years old as mature vines make the tastiest grapes.

Graham Beck Brut, South Africa

Since being founded in 1983, Graham Beck winery has 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.

Laurent-Perrier 'La Cuvée' Brut Champagne

The winemaking team recently tore up the recipe for their non-vintage cuvée. The old wine was already one of the best-selling Champagnes in the world – but they knew they could create something better. La Cuvée was released in 2017. It's a uniquely fresh fizz made predominantly from Chardonnay – and it remains a popular choice for discerning Champagne fans.

Estrella Damm

This beer was established by August Kuentzmann Damm who emigrated from Alsace with his wife Melanie, fleeing the Franco-Prussian War. They created this refreshing Mediterranean lager over 140 years ago and it is still brewed using their original recipe.

Villa Maria ‘Seaspray’ Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough
The Seaspray vineyard is perched on the rugged eastern coastline of the Awatere Valley, where the vines are freshened by gusts of sea air. That means a slow growing season, where grapes develop astounding concentration and punch.

Matt Fowkes

"I always recommend this Sauvignon Blanc for its vibrant, sea-swept character. It's a refreshing choice for Christmas parties, with a punchy concentration that's sure to brighten up any celebration."

Springfield Estate Albariño, Robertson

When brother and sister winemaking team Abrie and Jeanette Bruwer visited Argentina, they fell in love with Albariño. So they made the second Albariño to ever be made in South Africa's Cape. It's crafted sustainably with a 'hands off' approach and only in small quantities. But what there is tastes fantastic.

Elizabeth Kelly MW
"This Albariño is a wonderful pick for festive gatherings. Made sustainably, by a family team it offers a crisp and engaging taste that's perfect for celebrating the season to be merry!"

Vereinigte Hospitien Pinot Blanc, Mosel

The vines for this wine grow in Trier, a German city in the Mosel wine region. The vineyards here have been planted with vines since the late Middle Ages and used to belong to important Trier abbeys and monasteries. The predominant soil here is medium to deep grey slate. A fresh and elegant style with yellow stone fruit flavours and hints of meadow herbs.

Jonathan Tiffany
"This elegant Pinot Blanc is ideal for Christmas dinner. With its fresh, stone fruit flavours and subtle herb notes, it’s a classic choice for pairing with a festive feast."

Martín Códax Albariño, Rías Baixas
Martín Códax was named after a Galician troubadour whose medieval poems are love songs to the sea. The wild Atlantic coastline forces growers up to high altitudes. Here, the sea tempers the climate, so it’s more cool and damp than neighbouring regions. This Albariño is Rías Baixas in a bottle.

Jane Masters
"For a touch of coastal charm at your New Year’s Eve party, this Albariño shines. Its cool, Atlantic influences bring a crisp, refreshing quality that's perfect for toasting in style."

Moillard-Thomas Beaujolais-Villages
Renowned for their fine winemaking, this is one of the oldest wine merchants in Burgundy's Nuits-Saint-Georges, and standards have been high since the beginning. For this wine, they've taken their considerable expertise to Beaujolais, creating a wonderfully light and fruity red.

Zara Cassidy
"A light and fruity Beaujolais that’s fantastic for festive cheer. It’s easy to drink and perfect for Christmas gatherings, bringing a touch of Burgundy’s finesse to your celebrations."

3 Finger Jack Zinfandel, Lodi
In the mid 1800s, thousands flocked to California to chase the gold rush. One treasure-seeker in particular has been elevated to legend status – a bold gunslinger known throughout the region as 3 Finger Jack. The Delicato family, who have crafted wine in California for three generations, created this lively Zinfandel as a homage to him.

Jake Biggs
"Celebrate the season with this bold Zinfandel. Named after a legendary gold rush character, it’s rich and lively, making it a standout choice for your Christmas festivities."