Special moments during the festive season are made all the more enjoyable with the perfect selection of food and drink, with wine playing a starring role. Whether it’s a standout bottle for Christmas Day or a party pour for New Year’s Eve, here are four wines from the award-winning family winemakers, Laurent, Catherine & Jeanne Delaunay, and a lees-aged Picpoul offering from leading sustainable producer, Ormarine.

Laurent Delaunay Les Grappillages Fleurie 2023
RRP: £12.00
Stockist: Morrisons – find it here

Laurent Delaunay, a multi-awarded 5th-generation Burgundian winemaker, has launched a new Beaujolais wine. This elegant Fleurie offers wine lovers a classic, accessible and affordable expression of the region, with a touch of haute-couture from the fashion-house favourite French Toile de Jouy print on the label. Combining the region’s traditional winemaking heritage with a fresh, modern twist, Laurent Delaunay Les Grappillages Fleurie is a balanced Beaujolais originating from hilly vineyards in the Fleurie appellation known for soft, elegant and graceful wines.
Ruby red, the wine opens with aromas of rose, violet and black fruit, followed by layers of blackberry, fig and a subtle minerality on the palate. A generous wine with silky tannins that give way to a long, smooth finish. Its refined structure makes it ideal for pairing with a selection of soft cheeses, such as brie or camembert, to end a Christmas feast.

Laurent Delaunay Les Grappillages Chablis 2023
RRP: £18.00
Stockist: Morrisons – find it here

A new wine from Burgundian winemaker, Laurent Delaunay, offering Burgundy lovers a classic wine from the region at an affordable price. Laurent Delaunay Les Grappillages combines the region’s traditional winemaking heritage with a fresh, modern twist to create accessible, terroir-led wines, with a touch of haute couture from the fashion-house favourite French Toile de Jouy print on the label.

Laurent Delaunay Les Grappillages Chablis is a balanced Chardonnay originating from the cool, rolling hills of the Yonne Valley and defined by the region’s ancient Kimmeridgian limestone soils, which impart a distinctive minerality and crisp acidity to the wine. Pale gold with bright lemon, zesty mandarin and delicate white flowers on the nose and a crisp, flinty palate, this wine is the perfect match for roast turkey on the Big Day itself.

Les Jamelles Syrah 2024
RRP: £9.15
Stockist: Co-op – find it here

Syrah thrives in the sun-soaked Languedoc region in the South of France, and this is a rich and full-bodied wine made for over a quarter of a century by talented winemaker Catherine Delaunay. A portion of the wine is aged in oak, adding just the right touch of spice that pairs so naturally with Syrah’s signature richness.

Les Jamelles Syrah has a deep colour, with aromas of wild berries (raspberry, redcurrant, blackcurrant) and delicate violet, that blend beautifully with the flavours of spice, vanilla and cinnamon, along with a touch of mint and minerality. The finish is silky and long, with a lovely lasting hint of liquorice. Ideal for pouring at a festive drinks party with a selection of delicious canapés, such as mini beef Wellingtons or mushroom arancini.

Abbotts & Delaunay ‘Les Fleurs Sauvages’ Pays d’Oc Malbec 2022
RRP: £11.00 or £10.00 mix 6
Stockist: Majestic – find it here

Crafted by rising Languedoc winemaker Jeanne Delaunay, daughter of Laurent and Catherine Delaunay, this is a rich, fruity, spicy red. Jeanne is passionate about showcasing the incredible potential of the Languedoc region, blending her modern vision with a respect for nature and her Burgundian winemaking heritage. The result? A stunning collection of approachable, fruit-forward wines with elegance and freshness.

Ruby red, this Malbec boasts powerful aromas of liquorice, red and black fruits, and a touch of spice. It’s supple yet well-structured on the palate, with a refined, lingering finish. Enjoy it with a seasonal chocolate tart, or alongside a hearty pie on New Year’s Day.

Ormarine Cuvée Estela Picpoul de Pinet, 2024
RRP: £13.50/bottle or £12.50 mix six
Stockist: Majestic – find it here

Ormarine’s Cuvée Estela is an elevated expression of Picpoul de Pinet – a variety which has grown rapidly in popularity in the UK in recent years. Aged on fine lees for a few months, this process adds a richer structure to the wine, making it a match for creamier seafood dishes. On the nose, it offers an abundance of acacia flower, hawthorn and nectarine notes. Fresh on the palate, with a pleasing length, this wine is everything you love about Picpoul and more!

Ormarine’s vineyards overlook a saltwater lagoon filled with oyster cabins next to the Mediterranean Sea. This location has a noticeable influence on the wines, imparting a saline hint and lots of freshness. A great match with a plate of oysters au gratin or a creamy fish pie for a special Christmas Eve supper.