f you’re a Christmas early adopter, chances are, there’s a tree in your living room already and perhaps some fairy lights gracing your window. We’re all up for letting it snow as soon as we can get away with, after all, it’s one more reason to smile, meet the people we love and of course, share a bottle of wine!
Below, three wines that won’t break the bank to get ready for the most wonderful time of the year…
Valhonda Brut Cava
11.5% ABV
€14.95 (on offer from €16.95) – Available at O’Briens Wine
A Spanish bubbly with the finesse that Traditional Method confers to sparkling wines and the price of Prosecco. Moderate in acidity and leaning towards ripe limes, pineapples and star fruit.
It will make a fine aperitif or companion to oysters and other shellfish.
Alsace Gewürztraminer Vieilles Vignes 2016 AOC
13% ABV
€9.99 – Available at Lidl
This perfumed Alsatian white is generous on the nose with the lovely floral characters that Gewürztraminer is known for. Roses, mangoes, lychee, nectarine and passion fruit combine for an exotic and medium body treat with medium acidity.
A lovely one to pair with spicy dishes, think Netflix and takeway night with style.
Matsu El Pícaro
14.5% ABV
€15.95 – Available at Independent Off-Licences including Green Man Wines, Baggot Street Wines and Mitchell & Son
“El Pícaro” is Spanish for “the cheeky one” and this biodynamic young red from Toro is more than just a pretty face. Bright ruby, its great concentration of ripe blackberries and dark fruit flavours allows it to feel balanced despite its mighty ABV.
One to take that meat and cheese board to the next level.
Gabriela’s passion for writing is only matched by her love for food and wine. Journalist, confectioner and sommelier, she fell in love with Ireland years ago and moved from Venezuela to Dublin in 2014.
Since then, she has written about and worked in the local food scene, and she’s determined to discover and share the different traditions, flavours and places that have led Irish food and drink to fascinate her.
Gabriela Guédez Gabriela Guédez