Our Staff Picks: December Favourites!
To close out an incredible year, our team curated a December lineup focused on heritage, elegance, and the perfect pairings for festive gatherings.
Claudia's Vibrant Austrian Red
Kicking off December, Claudia has chosen the refreshing and often overlooked Familie Reinisch Zweigelt 2023 from Austria. She highlights this red as a fantastic alternative to Beaujolais or light Pinot Noir, praising its wonderfully juicy, fresh, and light character, bursting with bright red cherry and raspberry fruit. Claudia loves its lively acidity which keeps it refreshing, yet still comforting enough for the season. She recommends serving this vibrant red slightly chilled alongside charcuterie or light pasta dishes.
Familie Reinisch Zweigelt
Single Price: £20.50
Mixed 6 Price: £18.50
Peter's Elegant Organic Pinot Grigio
For his December selection, Peter chose the beautifully refreshing La Jara Pinot Grigio 2024. He notes that this certified organic wine is far from simple, praising its superb elegance, crisp, clean profile, and lovely balance. With delicate notes of green apple and pear and a subtle floral lift, Peter finds it perfect for sipping on its own or pairing with festive canapés and seafood, making it an excellent choice for the beginning of the holiday season.
La Jara Pinot Grigio
Single Price: £15.50
Mixed 6 Price: £14.50
Ellie's Elegant German Pinot
For her festive pick this month, Ellie chose the elegant German red, Greiner Spätburgunder 2022. She notes that this Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) offers beautiful purity and expression, being light on its feet yet packed with delicate red cherry, cranberry, and an earthy spice. Ellie recommends this incredibly silky and elegant wine as a brilliant choice for festive dining, pairing wonderfully with dishes like roast duck or chicken.
Greiner Spatburgunder
Single Price: £21.90
Mixed 6 Price: £19.90
Dan's Sophisticated Dry Furmint
For his pre-Christmas pick, Dan selected the absolutely stunning Hungarian white, Kardos Dry Furmint, Tokaj. Dan highlights that while Tokaj is famous for its sweet wines, the dry versions are seriously impressive, and this Furmint is wonderfully vibrant, mineral-driven, and complex. You’ll find intense notes of lime and pear, alongside a fascinating smoky, stony complexity that gives it real depth and texture. Dan recommends this brilliant, sophisticated white as an elegant partner for festive food, especially roast poultry or rich cheese dishes.
Kardos Dry Furmint, Tokaj
Single Price: £17.50
Mixed 6 Price: £15.50
Fraser's Warming South African Blend/h4>
Fraser rounded out the year with a powerful and generous red from South Africa, the David Finlayson The Pepper Pot 2020. This Rhône-style blend (Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Viognier) truly lives up to its name, offering wonderful aromatic complexity and intense dark berry fruit with a lovely kick of black pepper spice. Fraser notes that it is rich, generous, and has a super smooth, velvety finish. He recommends this versatile, warming red as an ideal choice for the final week of the year, pairing beautifully with robust winter dishes or anything off the barbecue.
David Finlayson The Pepper Pot
Single Price: £15.90
Mixed 6 Price: £14.90
