10 affordable Bordeaux wines for your Christmas table
The wealth of diversity available from Bordeaux makes it a perfect region to explore this Christmas. From sparkling crémants and sumptuous sweet wines to start the celebrations, to dry whites to enjoy alongside a succulent turkey, fruit-forward reds to serve with a vegetarian feast and crisp crémant rosés for Boxing Day, Bordeaux offers something for everyone to enjoy over the festive period. And why not support your local independent wine merchant and make a case of Bordeaux wine for your Christmas table – find out more here, and see below for some suggestions:
A fabulous alternative sparkling wine
Calvet Crémant de Bordeaux Brut 2017
This Crémant de Bordeaux has a touch of sweetness, balanced with fresh stone fruits and brioche notes. It is a blend of the white grape variety Sémillon and the red grape variety Cabernet Franc. Crémant de Bordeaux is produced using the traditional method which means the signature ‘fizz’ is created during a second fermentation in the bottle. This sparkling wine has been kept in contact with its lees (dead yeasts) for 9-months giving it subtle brioche and pastry notes whilst retaining the flavours of peach and strawberries. This will be a popular glass to serve as its easy-drinking nature and touch of sweetness will suit many palates.
An expressive sparkling rosé that will get everyone talking
Château de Bonhoste Rosé NV, Crémant de Bordeaux
Produced by 5th generation, brother and sister winemaking team Sylvaine and Yannick Fornier, this stunning Rosé Crémant is produced from a
blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Bright and fragrant, it has an attractive and persistent mousse supporting a fine palate of bright red
berry fruit and brioche. Ideal with a wide selection of Christmas canapés, it’s the perfect way to start the celebrations.
Drink pink on Christmas day
Château Tour de Mirambeau Bordeaux rosé 2018
While rosé might not be the first thing most people think of on a chilly Christmas day if you are serving smoked salmon or canapés it may be the perfect pairing. This bright and fruity rosé is full of strawberry and pear aromas. It is produced from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes using sustainable methods. Serving a rosé can provide a lighter alternative on one of the most indulgent days of the year and be an excellent follow on from fizz.
For those who enjoy Sauvignon Blanc
Laithwaites Sauvignon Blanc 2019, Bordeaux Blanc
This elegant dry white Bordeaux Blanc, made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc, is produced in line with the High Value Environmental certification. The nose is intensely fragrant with both citrus fruit and grassy characters. Delightfully fresh the palate opens with bright grapefruit and elderflower notes, followed by characters of blackcurrant leaf and a steely minerality. This is the perfect pairing for goat’s cheese or salmon starters.
A rich textured white wine
Château Puyanché 2018, Francs – Côtes de Bordeaux
The texture of this wine is what really makes it stand out. It has a rich, mouth-filling structure with elderflower, honey, pineapple and citrus aromas. Produced in the Francs – Côtes de Bordeaux appellation from Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc grape varieties. A proportion of the grapes undergo the fermentation in oak barrels and stirring on fine lees (dead yeasts) creating this richly textured, creamy style of white wine. This will be an excellent white wine to pair with the roast turkey as the fuller body will stand up to the variety of intense flavours in the meal.
A stylish and typical Bordeaux red
Château Peyu Sancrit 2016, Bordeaux Supérieur
A classic Bordeaux Supérieur made from a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. This is a style of wine you expect when you hear the word Bordeaux and it doesn’t disappoint. This wine has juicy, plummy fruit seasoned by complex, cedary oak flavours, leading to a long, refined finish. An excellent red wine option to serve with roast turkey and all the trimmings.
A rich and complex red Bordeaux
Château des Fougeres ‘La Raison’ 2011, Graves
This Bordeaux blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon is a fully mature, savoury style that is perfect for immediate drinking. It is produced in the Graves region of Bordeaux which has had an interesting history. The first vines are thought to have been planted here over 2000 years ago, making it the oldest region of Bordeaux. The leather and tobacco complexity of this wine are typical of good red Graves.
An unexpected grape variety
Arbo Malbec 2016, Francs – Côtes de Bordeaux
Malbec has taken the world by storm becoming one of the most popular and well-known varieties in the UK. However, many people forget that it is one of the permitted red varieties in Bordeaux. In Bordeaux, it is rarely seen as a single varietal and more commonly blended with other red grapes to compliment that structural and flavour profile. Arbo Malbec is a vegan blend of Malbec with a touch of Merlot. It has plummy, chocolate and liquorice notes with savoury undertones. The medium body and soft, ripe tannins make it an extremely easy wine to drink.
A Complex and Serious St Émilion
Château Teyssier 2014, St Emilion
A stand out red wine that everyone will be wanting more of. It has bright strawberry fruit flavours with hints of spicy black pepper liquorice. St-Émilion is one of the most well-known appellations in Bordeaux. This wine is from Montagne St Émilion, one of the satellite appellations which borders the world-famous main appellation of St-Émilion but provides excellent value for money. Its full-bodied structure with ripe tannins will pair perfectly with your Christmas roast.
A sweet treat to “finish”
Sweet wine can also be enjoyed as a brilliant aperitif wine however, with so much choice on Christmas day, it’s the perfect end to a glorious meal. Produced in the famed Sauternes area this luscious wine is packed full of honey, dried apricot, peach and pineapple notes. There is also a lovely floral note that lifts the wine. Surprise your guests and pair it with some strong, salty cheeses such as Stilton or Roquefort and Christmas will be complete.
With all these great wine suggestions, as we said at the beginning, why not support your local independent wine merchant and make a case of Bordeaux wine for your Christmas table – find out more here.
