Christmas wine gift guide for your family members
The overly-enthusiastic uncle
First off, this could also be your aunt – these aren’t gender-specific personality types, so simply imagine your own family member who best fits the description. For any relative who’s bringing a little TOO much holiday cheer to the party, try a wine from Haut Médoc region: lively, generous and powerful. Haut Médocs will complement their enthusiasm without letting the full craziness out.
The mum who does everything
For the mum who does everything, we recommend a white Graves. Powerful, round, and lively, the dry white wines of Graves can represent the best parts of an overachiever’s character and might take the sting out of her pointed questions about why she doesn’t have grandchildren yet.
The grandmother or matriarch of the family
It must be Margaux: classic and powerful, the reds from this region age gracefully and are far superior after twenty years than two. Produced from Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Merlot grapes, they exhibit a complex bouquet of dark fruit flavours and floral aromas full of spice, just like the grandmother’s kitchen of our dreams.
The stepbrother who’s a big fan of sports (and possibly little else)
A Bordeaux Supérieur is the way to go: more concentrated and powerful than most AOC Bordeaux, these strong reds can match even the hearty offensive line of his favourite football team.
The aunt with the deadpan sense of humour
How about a Côtes de Bordeaux? Elegantly round with an undercurrent of acidity (just like your aunt), the wines from this region exhibit flavours of stewed dark fruits, earthiness, and spice: perfect for someone who finds overt sweetness more nauseating than nice.
The gluttonous dad
In a way, he’s the easiest to please since he’ll probably drink anything, but you can put a big smile above that double chin with a Bordeaux Supérieur. Complex and powerful, these fruit-forward reds can hold up to even the most epic holiday feasts.
The grandfather who’s always talking about politics
Bring the old man a wine from Lalande-de-Pomerol (and possibly a cigar). Like your grandfather himself, these serious reds are frank and solid, but with light tannins that may take a bit of bombast out of those increasingly rambling discussions about Brexit and that damn Twitter.
The geeky cousin
Try a St Emilion: tannic and powerful, but quite austere when young, this could be the perfect choice for a relative who’d normally rather be playing video games or knitting.
The Nordic stepsister
Go with a white Entre-Deux-Mers. Specifically meant for consumption at colder temperatures (roughly between 8 and 10°C), these wines should remind her of home, and might at least partially defrost that icy demeanour.
The aunt who everyone loves
For everyone’s favourite relative, we recommend a Bordeaux sweet wine from the appellation Sauternes. Softly sweet, refreshing and light, these wines are quite simply crowd-pleasers.
The wild uncle
Sparkling Crémant wine is your friend here. Bubbly and fun, Crémant wines make any occasion feel like a special occasion, and popping bottles will make him feel like the centre of attention…at least until someone puts an eye out.
The vegetarian (or vegan) cousin
Grab a bottle of biodynamic Bordeaux vino and you’re all set. Wines produced through this anti-chemical agricultural movement are as holistic and homeopathic as they get, and should please both health nuts and liberal nonconformists alike.
No matter what characters you end up sharing the holidays with, we hope you enjoy them with Bordeaux wines!
