Wines for the Festive Season
Edouard Delaunay Septembre Chardonnay 2020, abv 13%
Majestic £14.99 or £12.99 mix six
Christmas isn’t complete without some Burgundy, and these two elegant, well-made wines offer typical Burgundy character at exceptionally good value-for-money prices. Grapes from the Côte d’Or are complemented by a selection from the heights of the Mâconnais, adding roundness and fruitiness to the blend. 65% are vinified in the style of great white Burgundies and barrel-aged; the rest from the Mâconnais in steel tanks. Citrus, lemon, and orange blossom aromas mix with a hint of barley sugar and white chocolate, followed by notes of melted butter, frangipane, and hazelnut on the palate. Ideal with turkey, creamy mushroom risotto, or a starter of plump seared scallops.
Edouard Delaunay Septembre Pinot Noir 2019, abv 12.5%
Majestic £16.99 or £14.99 mix six
A contemporary, complex Pinot Noir. More than 80% of the mostly hand-picked grapes come from the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits, with half aged in oak barrels and half in stainless-steel tanks. Bursting with fresh aromas of cherry and redcurrant followed by notes of blueberry tart and marzipan, it has good balance with freshness, length, and well-integrated subtle nuances of oak and spices (cumin) from the barrel ageing. This wine pairs beautifully with roast duck or goose.
Abbotts & Delaunay Viognier 2020, abv 13%
Majestic £9.99/bottle or £7.99/mix six
Made at Badet Clément’s boutique winery, specialised in high-end Languedoc wines based in the tiny village of Marseillette near Carcassonne, this elegant and easy-drinking wine forms part of the Fleurs et Fruits Sauvages (wild flowers and fruits) Pays d’Oc varietal range in the Abbotts & Delaunay Collection. Made from 100% Viognier grown in its native region in vineyards in the Hérault and the Aude Valley, south of Minervois, the wine is aged for a few months on the lees and exhibits freshness and typical varietal characteristics of peach, apricot, and orange blossom. Delicious shared with friends and roast chicken.
Abbotts & Delaunay Cumulo Nimbus Minervois 2017, abv 14%
The Oxford Wine Company £22.99
Also part of Badet Clément’s Abbotts & Delaunay Collection made in the Languedoc, this stylish Minervois is a blend of hand-picked Syrah and Grenache grapes, the former from vineyards by the Canal du Midi, the latter from cooler, higher-altitude vineyards in the Causses. 60% of the blend is aged for 9 months in oak barrels, resulting in a wine with elegant tannins, complexity, and a long, silky finish. Forest fruit aromas with notes of pepper, liquorice, and plum make it a great match with a tasty game pie or a cheeseboard.
La Maison du Crémant Prestige Brut, abv 12%
Made by respected Burgundian producer François Martenot, this Crémant de Bourgogne is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Gamay, and Aligoté. Appealing aromas of white flowers, orange blossom, and fresh brioche, along with freshness and elegance, explain why it was featured in Decanter’s Top 25 Crémants with 91/100 points.
