CHRISTMAS
CHRISTMAS 2024
JAMES FRANKLIN, HEAD OF MERCHANT SALES
Life can be very busy at the best of times, and this is no truer than over the festive period. You’ll see that our 2024 Christmas brochure has had a refresh to give a new look and feel. Inside, you will find a condensed selection of quintessential wines to cover all your needs throughout the season, from big events and social gatherings to that extra special gift. Ultimately, this year’s brochure has very much been designed with you in mind, letting us do the work for you.
Our ever-popular Corney & Barrow Own Label range provides household staples for this time of year — especially with the new magnum format of our C&B Blanc de Blancs Sparkling — whilst our Mixed Cases will cover most eventualities and make for thoughtful gifts. We also have a great selection of larger format bottles to ensure the wine keeps flowing as you celebrate in style.
Don’t miss the series of Christmas tastings we are hosting at various venues across the country (including our shops in Ayr and Newmarket) throughout November. A great way to experience the wines on offer first-hand and gain in-person advice from our knowledgeable team. All details can be found at the back of this publication. Don’t forget, our online Christmas Hub has our full festive offering, and our team is always easy to reach for that more personal touch.
This year’s brochure also includes articles written by the team highlighting some of our festive offers, along with a recipe from our in-house chef. Perfect for some inspiration and yuletide relaxation.
As ever, we are incredibly proud of our warehouse teams who go above and beyond during this time of year. Our nationwide fleet of vans and drivers is on hand to deliver directly to your (or your recipient’s) doorstep. What could be easier?
Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you very much for your continued support this year. Whenever seeking personalised recommendations, advice or general wine chat, our team members are available via your preferred method of contact.
Merry Christmas and our very best wishes for 2025.
Champagne Delamotte Brut, Champagne, France, NV
FOR THOSE WHO KNOW
REBECCA PALMER, HEAD OF MERCHANT BUYING
What finer way to lift your Christmas celebrations than sharing a bottle of champagne? Particularly if that champagne is as lovely as Delamotte — Corney & Barrow’s champagne of choice for many years.
The sixth oldest Champagne house, founded in 1760, with an illustrious history and enviable pedigree, Delamotte retains a gloriously understated presence in a champagne world awash with the glitz and glamour of big name grandes marques. Amid the shiny bling and noise, Delamotte stands with quiet poise.
Elegance is the watchword of the house, borne of its location, heritage and ownership. Home is the Côte des Blancs and the village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger (held by many to be the greatest grand cru of all) so Delamotte’s devotion to the Chardonnay grape should come as no surprise. In local circles, it is affectionately dubbed ‘the other great blanc de blancs’, a nod to its sister house, the legendary Champagne Salon, with whom it shares its premises, team, and dedication to quality.
This unwavering commitment, underpinned by an uncompromising work ethic, drives every decision and every action, from the vineyard to the cellar. Just a handful of talented women and men oversee every facet of the operation — a loyal and long-standing team run by an extraordinary man, Didier Depond,
who has led this small Champagne house for many years. Didier’s drive for quality is absolute, aiming to capture in every bottle the finesse of the Côte des Blancs, one of the wine world’s most magical terroirs.
By comparison with some houses, Delamotte is unusual in producing just a small handful of champagnes. Each has a clear identity. The Blanc de Blancs Vintage cuvée is produced only in special years. The current (2018) vintage is a luminous, uplifting champagne reflecting the radiant sunshine of the year. It is a rare blend, featuring all six grand crus of the Côte des Blancs: Le Mesnil-sur-Oger (the heart of the cuvée, unsurprisingly), Avize, Oger, Cramant, Chouilly and Oiry. Available in limited quantities, this refined champagne would make a luxurious glass on Christmas day, or indeed a wonderful gift.
The Blancs de Blancs Non-Vintage cuvée is the essence of the house of Delamotte, a blend of several grand crus, notably Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Like the vintage cuvée, it sees extended lees ageing, gaining in flavour and textural finesse over time. A magical champagne, extraordinarily versatile as an aperitif or with food, we are rather fond of half-bottles: the perfect size to share with someone special (in fact, I am quite partial to sharing one with myself...).
We are also delighted to include Delamotte Brut NonVintage in this year’s Christmas offer, the first time in a few years, having been able to secure an additional allocation. Chardonnay-dominant (naturellement!), complemented by Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, this delicious champagne has all classic hallmarks of Delamotte: the unmistakable scent of jasmine, the elegant curve of poached pear on the palate, and seamless mousse laced with toast and minerals… if this weren’t tempting enough, we are extending a 15% discount on this cuvée for the duration of our festive offer. Merry Christmas indeed!
FESTIVE FIZZ SEASON
AARAN ECCLES, FINE WINE SALES EXECUTIVE
I love opening a bottle of sparkling all year round. It’s the perfect aperitif and everyone is instantly cheered with a glass of bubbles in hand. Although I haven’t managed to create a name for the other three seasons of the year yet, Festive Fizz is a must throughout the winter months. Whether a visit from family, watching the Strictly final, or enjoying Christmas dinner — the Festive Fizz is in the fridge ready to be opened! Having a variety of choices is therefore paramount to ensuring that Festive Fizz isn’t just a solitary bottle for someone to add orange juice to on Christmas morning.
The staple that I always have on standby is Cava Joan Sardà Reserva Brut. From a small winery nestled between Barcelona and Tarragona, this is a Cava full of character and texture, hitting the mark with peach stone fruit and a touch of orange peel. There is also a savoury brioche edge that shows quality is the goal here, with 24 months bottle ageing to impart great intensity. With so much fruity concentration, this Reserva Cava is an ideal match for gougères (glorious cheese profiteroles), or any small chunk of Comté cheese to complement the savoury notes and texture of this Catalonian sparkling.
Inevitably, when it comes to Christmas Day, I always like to have a delicious bottle of Champagne that will steal the show. Champagne J.M. Labruyère Prologue Extra Brut NV was a fitting bottle last year and very much deserves a place on ice this year too. From grands crus parcels throughout the village of Verzenay, Prologue is a Pinot Noir dominant cuvée giving baked apple and red berry fruit, all finely poised by a fine line of acidity from Chardonnay that completes the blend. Pan-fried scallops with butter and garlic plus a touch of chilli is my favourite pairing here, but this Champagne would happily balance a range of shellfish dishes as it has the power to cleanse a rich dish.
“It doesn’t have to be French to provide star quality.”
It doesn’t have to be French to provide star quality though, and I’m always searching for a bottle that will surprise. Ambriel Huzzah Rosé Brut Traditional Method NV is a beautifully-crafted sparkling rosé with raspberry and strawberry coulis on the nose, followed by a fine mousse showing how five years of ageing gives so much elegant creaminess in the glass. It is no longer a revelation that West Sussex can produce English sparkling of such quality. The Champagne varieties planted around the village of Nutbourne are meticulously looked after by wine lovers and owners Wendy and Charles Outhwaite resulting in a superb fizz. I would suggest this with a berry pavlova on Christmas day to perk up the tastebuds after lunch, but I’ll be secretly opening it with fried chicken on Christmas Eve. A tradition in the Eccles house, sparkling and EFC (Eccles Fried Chicken) is my favourite match!
There are plenty of the classics to enjoy, along with a plethora of new sparkling delights; just make sure you have something ready for Festive Fizz!
SHOP ALL SPARKLING WINES
2. Fagher Prosecco DOCG Valdobbiadene, Le Colture, Brut NV, Italy, Bottle: £16.00 / Case of 12: £192.00
3. Cava Joan Sardà Reserva Brut 2021, Spain, Bottle: £14.25 / Case of 6: £85.50
4. Champagne J.M. Labruyère Prologue Extra Brut Grand Cru, France, Bottle: £45.95 / Case of 6: £275.70
5. Ambriel Huzzah Rosé Brut Traditional Method NV, England, Bottle: £32.35 / Case of 6: £194.10
6. Parterre Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, Fraser Gallop Estate, Australia, 2020, Bottle: £20.95 / Case of 12: £251.40
7. Picpoul de Pinet, Les Vignes Sur Mer, Maison Azan, France, 2023, Bottle: £13.25 / Case of 6: £79.50
8. Soave Classico DOC, Brognoligo, Cecilia Beretta, Italy, 2021, Bottle: £15.50 / Case of 6: £93.00
MISE EN PLACE
JOE MULLER, HEAD OF MONOPOLE
From my experience, a merry Christmas comes hand in hand with preparation. Some of the preparation can be rather mundane; I’m talking present lists, Christmas cards, the multitude of functions, along with the sheer logistics we undertake over the holiday period. However, there are two great tasks which almost deliver as much joy in their preparation as in their involvement... The food and drink!
When considering what I’m going to serve and enjoy, I like to partner the wine in line with the occasion at hand. For friends popping over for some Christmas carolling or just an old-fashioned yuletide catch-up, you want a white that is light, fresh and playful (but not too intense) with a touch of elegance. Our Soave Classico Brognoligo from Cecilia Beretta ticks those boxes perfectly. Made from 100% Garganega from the heart of their best plots in Veneto, the wine mostly sees stainless steel, giving gentle pear and citrus fruits that ride a lightly creamy palate. It will have your guests singing just as effortlessly, or asking enthusiastically for another pour.
Christmas Eve in our house means a traditional fish pie, and you can’t look past Parterre Semillon Sauvignon Blanc by Fraser Gallop when enjoying seafood. Hailing from a warm Mediterranean climate in Margaret River, this Aussie take on a white Bordeaux will work its magic perfectly. Blending 51% Semillon and 49% Sauvignon, there is a gentle richness delivered with a zippy backbone of acid and textural appeal coming from old barrique ageing. The region’s cooling sea breezes and gravel loam soils help promote a welcome mineral thread that sees it marry brilliantly with a variety of fish.
Now to the main event: whether a tasty mushroom wellington, turkey, goose, or a myriad of birds gracing your table, you cannot consider anything other than white Burgundy in my opinion. This will provide a wine with some structure to match the food, whilst treating your family and friends to the finesse the region has to offer. If you then pick the right vintage... Bullseye! There is only one winner here, the Beaune Blanc 1er Cru Champs Pimont 2017 from Domaine Jacques Prieur. Produced from a tiny 1.4 hectares, the limestone and marl soils give it a core focus and tension whilst bottle age has softened the palate to a graceful and charming place. Marvellous.
Chez Muller Boxing Day is always a big celebration. Here, I want a wine that will work with those cold cuts, bubble and squeak, inventive leftover recipes and cheese and pickle spreads, but also delivers an impressive white on its own merit too. Off-the-beatentrack Guru from Wine & Soul is pure joy and perfect for these fun-filled days. Made from indigenous Douro Valley varieties, this white is seductive and elegant, with nuanced, delicate white peach and citrus tones, carried on a fresh and stoney lingering finish.
As I was saying, some of the preparation can be good fun, and with this in mind, why not take charge sooner rather than later and explore our Christmas Hub?!
EXPLORE ALL WHITE WINES
VIEW THE WINES
9. Moulin de la Justice, Muscadet Sèvre et Maine, Domaine Julien Braud, France, 2020, Bottle: £16.50 / Case of 6: £99.00
10. Guru, Wine & Soul, Portugal, 2022, Bottle: £37.95 / Case of 6: £227.70
11. Beaune Blanc 1er Cru Champs-Pimont, Domaine Jacques Prieur, France, 2017, Bottle: £70.25 / Case of 6: £421.50
DOUBLE OR QUITS The Wines
12. Cabernet Sauvignon, Domaine de Saissac, IGP Pays d’Oc, France, 2020, Magnum Magnum: £21.95 / Case of 6: £131.70
13. Thanisch Estate Riesling Kabinett, Wwe Dr.H. Thanisch (Erben Thanisch), Germany, 2022, Magnum Magnum: £44.95 / Case of 3: £134.85
14. L’Aurage, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, France, 2018, Magnum Magnum: £76.30 / Case of 6: £457.80
15. Mâcon-Verzé, Domaines Leflaive, France, 2022, Magnum Magnum: £92.95 / Case of 6: £557.70
16. Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Ridolfi, Italy, 2017, Magnum Case of 1: £114.55
BROWSE ALL MAGNUMS
Corney & Barrow Blanc de Blancs Magnum - elegant and refreshing, perfect for celebrations.
17. Corney & Barrow Sparkling Blanc de Blancs, Méthode Traditionnelle, Extra Dry, NV, Magnum, France, Magnum: £29.95 / Case of 3: £89.85
BULLSEYE OWN LABELS
18. Corney & Barrow Sauternes, France, 2016, Half Bottle: £16.25 / Case of 12: £195.00
19. Corney & Barrow Rioja Crianza, Bodegas Zugober, Spain, 2020/21, Bottle: £13.50 / Case of 12: £162.00
20. Corney & Barrow 20-Year-Old Tawny Port, Portugal, Bottle: £39.95 / Case of
21. Corney & Barrow Sloe Gin, England, Bottle: £30.65 / Case of
22. Corney & Barrow White Burgundy, Maison Auvigue, France, 2022, Bottle: £17.75 / Case of 12: £213.00
23. Corney & Barrow Périgord, IGP Périgord, Château Grinou, France, 2022/23, Bottle: £10.95 / Case
24. Corney & Barrow Margaux, Maison Sichel, France, 2020, Bottle: £29.50 /
THE PERFECT PACKAGE
CORNEY & BARROW PARTY MIXED CASE
Case of 12: £160.00 / Worth: £180.40
The festive period calls for gatherings, dinners and parties aplenty — this case encompasses the ideal selection of bottles you need to keep guests happy. Including whites and reds from across the globe, these wines are deliciously moreish and great crowd-pleasers.
CORNEY & BARROW CLASSICS MIXED CASE
Case of 12: £335.00 / Worth: £375.70
The perfect collection of fine wine classics that will be in every connoisseur’s house this Christmas. Begin your celebrations with Champagne, sip the delights of Sancerre and white Burgundy and discover the timeless charms of Pinot Noir, Claret and Valpolicella.
Sauvignon Blanc, Constantia Uitsig, Constantia, South Africa, 2022 (x2)
Bottle: £15.50 / Case of 6: £93.00
Pazo la Maza Albariño, DO Rías Baixas, Adegas Galegas, Spain, 2022 (x2)
Bottle: £15.95 / Case of 6: £95.70
Old Vine Chenin Blanc, Myburgh Bros., Paarl, South Africa, 2023 (x2)
Bottle: £14.25 / Case of 6: £85.50
Licantén Cabernet Franc, Idahue Estate, La Roncière, Chile, 2018 (x2)
Bottle: £15.50 / Case of 6: £93.00
Cabernet Sauvignon, Marchiori & Barraud, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina, 2022 (x2)
Bottle: £15.25 / Case of 6: £91.50
Mucchietto Primitivo, IGT Puglia, Italy, 2022 (x2)
Bottle: £13.75 / Case of 6: £82.50
Champagne Delamotte Brut, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, NV (x2)
Bottle: £43.50 / Case of 6: £261.00
Sancerre Plante Froide, Domaine du Nozay, France, 2023 (x2)
Bottle: £25.95 / Case of 12: £311.40
Mâcon-Verzé Allure, Domaine de la Jobeline, France, 2021 (x2)
Bottle: £26.05 / Case of 6: £156.30
Pinot Noir, Higham Vineyard, Suffolk, 2022 (x2)
Bottle: £31.95 / Case of 6: £191.70
L’Aurage, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, France, 2020 (x2)
Bottle: £36.15 / Case of 12: £433.80
Valpolicella Classico Superiore DOC, Mizzole, Cecilia Beretta, Italy, 2018 (x2)
Bottle: £24.25 / Case of 6: £145.50
THE C&B CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE
For the Adventurer
Fine wine doesn’t mean the need to be conservative with your choices. When seeking that special bottle for someone curious, try Domaine du Pélican’s skin contact Arbois Vin Jaune (pictured) for wonderful aromatics and tactile shapeliness. Orëg Király Furmint is a refined, complex and expressive indigenous white from Hungary, whilst B-Qā de Marsyas Rouge is a delicious red Bordeaux blend from Lebanon.
Arbois Vin Jaune, Domaine du Pélican, France, 2016, 62ml
Case of 1: £176.65 / Case of 3: £529.95
For the Connoisseur
For those in the know, Peter Sisseck’s lighter style of Fino Sherry is an incredible wine made using a fascinating process. Viña Corrales (pictured) expresses floral notes with nutty nuances for a complex white with creamy salinity and a moreish lick. Of course, sparkling wine is a fabulous celebratory choice — Breaky Bottom Cuvée Marraine Pooks showcases crisp orchard fruit and citrus zest complemented by baked brioche. Or the renowned HdV ‘Ygnacia’ Pinot Noir is brimming with alluring spiced red fruit.
Fino Viña Corrales, Pago Balbaina 2022 Bottling, Spain, NV, Bottle: £34.25 / Case of 6: £205.50
For the Classicist
No wine says Christmas more than Claret and Château Latour à Pomerol (pictured), with its dark fruited perfume and silken palate, never fails to impress. For white wine classicists, gift them Sancerre Plante Froide with its concentrated citrus fruit quality, subtle spices and hallmark chalkiness. Alternatively, Rhône Valley star Maison Tardieu-Laurent has made a deep, sauvage and spicy Cornas Coteaux for those looking for something more brooding.
Château Latour à Pomerol, France, 2017, Bottle: £90.50 / Case of 6: £543.00
For the Gen-Zer
For those who love youth, vibrancy and a ‘natty’ style, Naranjo Torontel (pictured) is a Chilean orange wine bursting with a potpourri of spices, honeyed undertones and tangerine peel. For something more delicate, Higham Vineyard’s Pinot Noir Rosé is made in Suffolk — a stylish little number from its chic label down to its pretty pink shade. Or opt for the avant-garde Myburgh Bros.’ lusciously soft and energetic, red-berried Little J Red.
Naranjo Torontel, Maturana Wines, Loncomilla, Chile, 2022, Bottle: £15.95 / Case of 6: £95.70
SEEING RED
25. Les Lys de Léon, Pinot Noir, France, 2023, Bottle: £12.95 / Case of 6: £77.70
26. Mucchietto Primitivo, IGT Puglia, Italy, 2022, Bottle: £13.75 / Case of 6: £82.50
27. Château Barrail du Blanc, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, France, 2020, Bottle: £24.55 / Case of 6: £147.30
VIEW THE WINE
VIEW THE WINE
VIEW THE WINE
(WINE) CASE IN POINT
NEVILLE KIRKPATRICK, FINE WINE SALES EXECUTIVE
There are various festive occasions dotted around the gastronomic marathon that is ‘the big day’. Smaller dinners, lunches and drinks parties require a variety of wine styles, and so increasingly, I find myself needing a selection of reds throughout Christmas. Although lovely in the right setting, do you want a 16% Amarone with light nibbles and a smoked salmon blini? Perhaps not…
Of course, C&B deals with this conundrum brilliantly, giving a gorgeous array of styles that will have you covered for every occasion. On the lighter and more elegant end of the spectrum is a mouthwatering Pinot Noir from Les Lys de Léon. A pure-fruited, perfumed and deftly made Pinot taken from great vineyards across the Loire Valley. Enjoy slightly chilled for a canapé friendly red.
Moving to something more textural, richer and silkier is the Mucchietto Primitivo from Puglia. Packed with flavours of ripe cherry, sweet spices and dark chocolate, there is something incredibly comforting about this wine. I personally think it will be perfect for a cold December night pre-Christmas.
Domaine Labruyère’s Champ de Cour is a Beaujolais like no other and a real favourite of mine. From the highly prized cru village of Moulin-à-Vent, this is a wine full of spicy red and black fruit, and a delightful herbaceous note adds great complexity. When I first joined Corney & Barrow, I remember our Head of Fine Wine Buying, Guy Seddon, saying to me, “The wines of Labruyère are all about Gamay on Granite”. This wine encapsulates both — when tasting, there is an almost indescribably ‘granitic’ character that is so compelling. A must-try in my view…
I am guilty of favouring European wines at Christmas, but in the last few years, I’ve been mixing in some great Cabernets from Napa Valley. In the Fine Wine Sales team, Othello from Dominus Estate is something we all refer to as an insider’s wine. There simply isn’t another Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from an estate of this pedigree available at this price. From a brilliant vintage, Othello 2016 is drinking superbly right now with exquisite fruit purity and a silken texture that is incredibly satisfying.
If, however, you are a Burgundy lover like me, there are very few producers that I could recommend more than Domaine Georges Glantenay. Sarah and Guillaume Glantenay’s Volnay 1er Cru La Robardelle is sublime. Their wines are perfumed, ethereal and beautifully balanced. They are one of the rising stars in the Côte de Beaune, and trying one of their top premier crus will convince you of why.
Finally, it simply wouldn’t be a C&B Christmas lineup without ‘Barry White’, or Château Barrail du Blanc Grand Cru St-Émilion 2020, as our friends across the Channel would say. 2020 was a sensational vintage in Bordeaux, and ‘Barry White’ once again is an absolute triumph. Full of wonderfully powerful red and black fruits, framed by deliciously fine tannins and bright acidity, this will be gorgeous on Christmas Day and beyond. A red that will be consumed in abundance in the Kirkpatrick household!
28. Volnay 1er Cru La Robardelle, Domaine Georges Glantenay, France, 2022, Bottle: £73.25 / Case of 6: £439.50
29. Moulin-à-Vent Champ de Cour, Domaine Labruyère, France, 2017, Bottle: £29.50 / Case of 6: £177.00
30. Othello, Dominus Estate, USA, 2016, Bottle: £43.70 / Case of 6: £262.20
DULCIS IN FUNDO
SOMETHING SWEET
The beauty of a dessert wine is you can enjoy it over a few days, experimenting with food combinations.
TIFFANY VERNON, COPYWRITER
I very rarely make it to dessert on Christmas day. Like many people, my eyes are always bigger than my belly, indulging in more food than I can handle and ending the festive break looking more like a dressed turkey than, well, the turkey itself. Despite this, I insist on purchasing a wine for every course, just in case I make it through. This includes something sweet. The beauty of a dessert wine is you can enjoy it over a few days, experimenting with food combinations from the inevitable leftovers. Ever tried turkey sandwiches and Sauternes? No, me neither…
Whether you have a sweet tooth or not, there is an array of methods used to produce dessert wines which makes them a fascinating topic. Let’s begin with Tokaji. When I first heard about this Hungarian wine, I was told it was so sweet it came with a little crystal spoon because you could only manage a thimbleful at a time — a little off-putting, to say the least. But when you drill down into the styles made, not all of these wines are pure syrup. Take Szamorodni, for example. A percentage of grapes harvested have been affected by noble rot (officially known as botrytis cinerea), a naturally occurring fungus which shrivels the grapes and concentrates the sugars. Szamorodni translates as ‘made by itself’, combining healthy, ripe grapes with the botrytized ones, resulting in a wine with a lovely sweet and sour note that is anything but sickly. Barta
Winery’s Orëg Király Dűlő Sweet Szamorodni Furmint offers a burst of freshness on the palate; marked lime and preserved lemon notes at the core are muddled together with orchard fruit hard-boiled sweets and a silky, moreish texture — no need for a teaspoon here. Pair with panettone for an extra festive treat.
Another classic ‘noble’ wine is Sauternes, the golden nectar from Bordeaux. Here, specific climatic conditions propel the development of noble rot in the vineyards. On average, a single grapevine will produce one bottle of wine, but because botrytis cinerea dehydrates the grapes, in Sauternes, each vine will produce no more than a single glass. It’s a risky business — if conditions are off-key, the grapes won’t contract botrytis at all, or it will set in too far, rendering the grapes rotten and unusable. Luckily, Château Briatte had the weather gods smiling upon them in 2020, producing a wine boasting quince jelly, candied lemon peel and a hint of jasmine complemented by honeyed undertones, amaretto biscuit and a lick of freshness. For me, Sauternes is the perfect partner to traditional Christmas cake, Dundee cake or stollen, but it’s also fabulous as an aperitif with pâté.
Another interesting winemaking technique is by sun drying the grapes. In the Chianti region, grapes are picked and ‘air dried’ for prolonged periods on straw mats in a well-ventilated loft or purpose-built shed. This appassimento method desiccates the grapes to concentrate the sugars. The grapes are then fermented and matured in old oak caratelli barrels. In the case of Vignamaggio’s Vinsanto, the drying takes place for three months before the wine is aged for four years in caratelli, adding an oxidative character. The result is a treacle-coloured wine with flavours of raisins, sultanas and dried apricots, blended with spiced manuka honey, malted toffee, and layers of chocolate tempered by tangy orange and lime. The ultimate wine to match a Christmas pudding, mince pies or sticky toffee pudding.
EXPLORE ALL SWEET AND FORTIFIED WINES
For an über traditional festive tipple, Vintage Port can be the pièce maîtresse — especially with a spot of cheese! The aptly named Wine & Soul based in the Douro Valley have made the stunning Pintas Vintage Port 2018. The 2018 vintage proved to be something of a roller coaster for producers: an unprecedented period of drought, a very wet spring and a scorchingly hot summer. Despite the viticultural challenges, the fruit was exceptional and full of purity. Pintas is packed with brooding black and brambly berries entwined with blood orange, fig, and damsons galore. It’s inky, dark and rich with lashings of spice, chocolate and medicinal notes leading into a delicious blueberry muffin end note. I’ll be having mine with a dark chocolate fondant before rolling to bed.
Finally, Joostenberg Estate’s Noble Late Harvest Chenin Blanc is exactly as it is described on the label: late harvest Chenin Blanc grapes affected by our old friend noble rot. Hailing from the region of Paarl in South Africa, this wine is allowed to ferment naturally, leaving a healthy dose of residual sugar once fermentation has ceased. It’s reminiscent of mango chutney and pineapple upside-down cake with a smattering of coconut, baked apples and pastry notes. A beautiful wine to pair with a Christmas pavlova or a classic crumble.
31. Öreg Király Dűlő Sweet Szamorodni, Barta, Tokaj, Hungary, 2018, 50cl Bottle: £29.95 / Case of 6: £179.70
32. Château Briatte, Sauternes, 2020, France, Bottle: £29.95 / Case of 6: £179.70
33. Vinsanto del Chianti Classico, Vignamaggio, Italy, 2015, Half Bottle: £31.00 / Case of 6: £186.00
34. Pintas Port, Wine & Soul, Portugal, 2018, Bottle: £67.30 / Case of 6: £403.80
35. Chenin Blanc Noble Late Harvest Joostenberg Estate, South Africa, 2022, Half Bottle: £15.95 / Case of 6: £95.70
VIEW THE WINE VIEW
WINE
WINE
CHRISTMAS RECIPE
Venison Wellington
Ingredients (for 4 people):
• 700g loin of venison
• 1 ½ tbsp English mustard
• 50g butter
• 1 large shallot, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 400g mushrooms, pulsed in a food processor
• 1 tbsp chopped sage
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley
• 12 slices prosciutto or blanched Savoy cabbage leaves
• 400g ready-made puff pastry
• 2 egg yolks, beaten
Dry the venison with paper towels and season well. Heat the oil in a frying pan and sear the meat all over. Brush with mustard, leave to cool, then chill for 20mins. Melt the butter and soften the shallot and garlic. Add the mushrooms, herbs and seasoning, cook for 10mins until you have a paste-like mixture.
Overlap 2-3 sheets of cling film on a clean surface, lay the prosciutto or cabbage in 2 rows, slightly overlapping each slice. Spread the cooled mushroom paste all over the prosciutto. Place the fillet in the centre of the mushroom mixture. Using the edge of the cling film, carefully draw the layer of prosciutto and mushroom around the meat.
Roll into a sausage shape, twisting the ends of the cling film as you do, to form a tight log. Chill for 30mins.
On a lightly floured surface, roll the pastry into a rectangle the size of a newspaper, and trim the edges to neaten. Unwrap the prosciutto parcel and lay in the middle of the pastry. Fold over the bottom half of the pastry. Lightly brush the rest of the sheet with beaten egg. Roll the whole thing around the meat to encase. Neatly fold under the shorter edges to create a parcel. Transfer to a baking sheet and brush all over with beaten egg yolk. Chill from 30 minutes to 24 hours.
Using the back of a knife, mark the pastry, being careful not to cut all the way through. Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Lightly oil a non-stick baking tray and heat until hot. Put the Wellington on the tray and bake for 30mins.
Remove from oven, brush with extra egg and rest for 20mins.
HUNGRY FOR MORE? FIND MORE RECIPES AND FOOD & WINE PAIRINGS HERE.
NEWMARKET CHRISTMAS TASTING
Date: Friday 8th November 2024
Time: 5:00pm - 8:00pm
EDINBURGH CHRISTMAS TASTING
Date: Wednesday 13th November 2024
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
LONDON CHRISTMAS WINE TASTING
Date: Wednesday 13th and Thursday 14th November 2024
Time: 5:30pm - 8:00pm
AYR CHRISTMAS TASTING
Date: Wednesday 20th November 2024
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
GLASGOW CHRISTMAS TASTING
Date: Thursday 28th November 2024
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
LEEDS CHRISTMAS TASTING
Date: Thursday 28th November 2024
Time: 6:00pm - 8:30pm
COCOA RUNNERS WINE & CHOCOLATE CHRISTMAS TASTING
Date: Thursday 5th December 2024
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
ORDER TODAY
www.corneyandbarrow.com/christmas-wines
To receive your delivery in time for Christmas, please place your order by 1pm on 16th December. For customers who live in the Highlands please order by 1pm on 9th December. If outside of mainland UK, please place your order by 1pm on 2nd December.
+44 (0)20 7265 2400
+44 (0)1875 321 921
+44 (0)1133 400 380
+44 (0)1638 600 000
+44 (0)1292 267 000
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