In my family we have traditionally opened presents with
Champagne, accompanied smoked salmon with Chablis, had a Burgundy pinot noir
with the turkey, Sauternes with mince pies, and passed the port with cheese,
all traditional, all classics, but when you serve what’s expected it doesn’t always
turn heads. This year I want my guests to talk about the wine, so my Christmas
wine list is going to be anything but traditional.
Christmas is a special occasion so it deserves some special
wine. Instead of Champagne, I have splashed out on Nyetimber Tillington Single
Vineyard, which I got when we visited the beautiful Tudor winery
in the summer. Made from a blend of 78% Pinot Noir and 22% Chardonnay,
Tillington is the first Single Vineyard sparkling wine from England with all
grapes specially selected from a single vineyard site. The 2010 vintage is pale
gold in colour, with gentle, fine bubbles that fill the nose with aromas of
redcurrant, wild raspberry and toast. On the palate, the wine shows elegance
and complexity, balancing rich notes of almond and brioche with a fine
minerality and a persistent finish. You can read more about this special single vineyard site and the wine it produces HERE but unfortunately I can't find anywhere that sells this, so unless you can arrange a visit to the winery, why not try Nyetimber Blanc de Blanc from The Champagne Company (£34) instead.
To partner smoked salmon with an assortment of toasts and blinis
and a dill cream cheese, I will need a wine that will cut through all that
creaminess. I love a lemony and peppery Austrian gruner veltliner, such as the Rabl
Gruner Veltliner Kamptal (£9 M&S), a wonderfully easy-drinking unoaked
white with hints of apples and elderflower.
The red, oh the red, you have to have red at Christmas.
Turkey can be paired with a light red anyway, but when served with pigs in
blankets, sage and onion stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce, then it
definitely should be. The red I will be serving with the turkey this year will
be Sicilian Frappato, a lovely alternative to pinot noir, such as Santa Tresa
(Ocado £9.99). Often a revelation to wine drinkers, Frappato is elegant and
refreshing - surprisingly more delicate than many of the muscular reds of
Sicily, yet full of character. Santa Tresa Frappato is smooth and elegant, with
wild strawberries and touches of spice. It’s an organic wine and should be
served slightly chilled. Visit santatresa.com to explore where this wine is
made.
To accompany the mince pies I recommend a sweet Madeira, and
for the cheese a Riesling. This may sound the reverse pairings to what you’d
expect, a dessert with a fortified wine and cheese with a dessert wine, but
trust me these both work. You could even try a little of both with each and see
which you prefer. Try Blandys Single
Harvest Malmsey with your Christmas pudding (£13.99 from Waitrose 50cl). Amber
colour with golden green reflections and a characteristic bouquet of Madeira
with dried fruits, tea, toffee and spices. Rich and full bodied with notes of
vanilla, honey and chocolate. An added bonus is you can also use the
Madeira in a sauce for leftover turkey, use THIS Madeira sauce recipe.
Alternatively, buy a Tokaji which will pair excellently with any sticky dessert as well as with cheese. Don't know what Tokaji is? Read my blog HERE
I have chosen unconventional wines to partner traditional
dishes, but if you would like suggestions for other food pairings this Christmas,
please comment below.
To find out more about Princess and the Pinot and our pop-up wine bars please visit www.princessandthepinot.com
To find out more about Princess and the Pinot and our pop-up wine bars please visit www.princessandthepinot.com
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