When it comes to selecting your Christmas wines, where to begin? Here, the O’Briens wine experts have selected five fantastic bottles that will see you through all those pre-Christmas parties, Stephen’s Day family gatherings and New Year’s Eve celebrations – not to mention the big day itself, December 25th.
Of course, a great wine also makes an ideal present and if you’re not quite sure what to go for, pop into your local O’Briens store. The team will be delighted to help you select the perfect bottle to give as a gift, or to pair with your Christmas Day menu. Shop their Christmas wine sale now with savings of up to 44 per cent on top wines and fizz – it’s the perfect time to stock up that wine rack for the season ahead. With an extensive range of premium spirits and over 500 world and craft beers also on offer, both in-store and online, O’Briens really takes the hard work out of gifting and hosting this festive season.
When it comes to impressing guests this Christmas, treating a special someone or celebrating the festive season in serious style, it has to be Champagne. A bottle of Taittinger Brut Réserve is one of the most iconic Champagnes you can get your hands on. A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, crafted with wines from over 35 different vineyards, it’s crisp and elegant, with notes of brioche, peach and white flowers. It’s a true festive sparkler to share with friends and loved ones – and at this price, why not grab a few bottles to put away for New Year’s Eve too?
It’s always handy to have a bottle or two of a good white wine in the fridge for when people call over during the festive season. This crisp white from the Loire Valley is an ideal option – and if you’re a fan of Sancerre you’ll love this wine. It’s made by the Bougrier family, who have been making beautiful wines for six generations. A Touraine Sauvignon with refreshing lime and grapefruit flavours and a lovely mineral note, Les Secrets de Sophie makes an ideal aperitif. Serve it with seafood or perhaps some festive canapés.
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Create the perfect Christmas party pairing by teaming a bottle of this fantastic Rioja with a classic charcuterie board. A firm customer favourite at O’Briens, and for very good reason, Monte Real Rioja Reserva comes from Bodegas Riojanas, a star of the Rioja region. Indeed, winemaker Emilio Sojo Nalda was named best winemaker of Rioja in The Drinks Business magazine’s Master Winemaker 100 in 2023. This is Bodegas Riojanas’ flagship Rioja Reserva and is made from 100 per cent Tempranillo grapes grown in premium vineyards. It’s a smooth, supple red that’s full of flavour. If you’re a fan of Rioja, our team visited the region in October this year and would be delighted to share their knowledge and recommendations with you.
Brocard Chablis is an elegant Chablis which has Christmas Day written all over it. It’s the ideal white wine to serve on December 25th and would work perfectly with a smoked salmon starter, for example. It comes from the renowned Domaine Brocard winery which is run by father-and-son team, Jean-Marc and Julien Brocard. Pioneers of organic viticulture, this single vineyard Chablis is a great example of the quality wines they create. Deliciously crisp, with mouthwatering citrus notes, Brocard Chablis would also make a great gift for any wine lover in your life.
A rich, robust red wine is about as essential as crackers and fairy lights at this time of year and a bottle of Domaine de L’Ostal Grand Vin really hits the festive mark. It’s a fantastic red to enjoy with a good cheese board this Christmas. (Don’t forget to stock up on all the tasty extras too, from crackers and fresh breads to chutney, olives and quince, for a real festive feast!) The winery is owned by renowned Bordeaux estate, Famille JM Cazes, who also produce the famous Château Lynch-Bages. It’s full bodied and full flavoured, with plenty of rich bramble fruit notes and a touch of oak. Delicious.
About O’Briens: Irish and family-owned, O’Briens have been helping Ireland celebrate life’s special moments since 1944. We import much of our range of more than 1,000 wines directly from over 180 wineries across the globe and are also home to a wide range of premium spirits and craft beers. Visit one of our 34 stores across Ireland or shop online at obrienswine.ie. Free delivery on online orders over €100. Prices correct at time of publishing but are subject to change. All offers end 1st January 2024