So it's Christmas time and you've a long list of people to buy presents for. Next to some of those names you've written the word: WINE. Yes, great! That'll be sure to go down well.
The only problem is, you don't know what they like and staring at the wide range of bottles on the shelves makes your head spin. If this sounds like you, then don't worry. We're here to help.
We love wine so much that some days we barely think about anything else. So let us choose the wines to buy this Christmas for you - simply pick up a gift from our Christmas gift range.
(If you do know what you're looking for and you can't find it here, simply select the wines you want and add a gift bag or box from our selectionhere.)
Crowd pleasers for £26 or less
There are some wines that just seem to appeal everyone. These are our bestsellers, tried and tasted time and time again, guaranteed to deliver straightforward satisfaction. If you don't know the tastes of the person you're buying for and you're not sure which Christmas wines to buy, then these are the gifts for them.
Put the fizz into someone's Christmas with this superb Cremant de Loire gift in a smart gift box. This is great alternative to Champagne, made with care by an excellent independent producer. Plus, it really looks the part which is always just as important this time of year.
A treat for the red wine lover in your life, this duo is bound to put a smile on their face. Two of our bestselling reds that always satisfy. On one side you've got a juicy Monastrell that's very easy drinking and full of blackberry, blackcurrant and plum fruit. On the other side a complex and round Rioja with plum and red cherry fruit wrapped in rich coffee and vanilla from time spent in oak barrels. Immediate pleasure all round.
In this gift we have two white wines that consistently appear at the top of cour best sellers list: The Sensale Grillo is ideal for Sauvignon Blanc fans with it's bright and juicy fruit flavours. The Casa de Vilacetinho shows why this wine isn't only for holidays with vibrant and refreshing citrussy fruit and hint of tropical notes. Both wines are ideal for pairing with festive dishes or enjoying by the fireplace. The kind of wines that you can enjoy at parties, open with dinner or drink on the sofa while watching festive TV.
Gifts for a connoisseur for £40 or less
If you're buying for someone who does know a bit about wine, it's time to up the quality. The wines in these gift boxes some of our best wines for gifts andare going to talked about long after they've finished the last drop.
An ideal gift for any discerning wine lover. A bottle of this adds a touch of class to any occasion. This is from an independent winemaker and is brilliant value compared to the well-known brands.
Kate Says:
"We love working with smaller Champagne producers. You get so much more for your money, and this is a superb example. The apple and apricot fruit is bright and fresh. It’s complex and round. Gorgeous stuff."
If the person you're buying for only drinks red, treat them to this sumptuous duo featuring two of our best-selling, great-tasting red wines. The Glorioso Reserva Rioja from Spain is smooth and rich wine with aromas of ripe red fruits, vanilla and spices. The Amie Rouge Carignan from Southern France is a juicy and fruity wine with pure notes of blackberry, plum and pepper. If someone likes bold wines like Shiraz, they'll love this.
Sometimes it pays to stick to traditional favourites. Wines that have earned their reputation and that people will recognise as quality. If that sounds like the person you're buying for, treat them to this sumptuous duo featuring two nailed-on classics. It contains a really enjoyable Italian Chianti Riserva with soft red cherries and plums on the nose and a savoury spiciness from a year spent in barrels. The Bretonniere Muscadet is from a top region in the Loire Valley, France. It has a rich aroma of sweet fruits and citrus and tastes fresh with hints of honey and citrus peel and is ideal with smoked salmon.
Gifts for those that like the finer things, for £65 or less
We know that for some people only the best will do and so we've put together some gifts that are sublime from top-to-bottom. We've upgraded the gift boxes here to wood because wine this good needs to arrive in befitting style.
This sublime duo features two of our most respected and delicious red wines. First up the Chateau Puybarbe from France is a smooth and rich wine with powerful blackberry and cedar. The Giuseppe Langhe Nebbiolo from Italy is a delicate yet intense red with a firm, food friendly structure. From the intensity of flavours to the layered texture, you can taste the quality in every sip.
For this gift, we've paired a bottle each from two highly regarded wine regions, one from Italy and the other, France. The Riecine Chianti from Tuscany is a benchmark example of the style with black cherries and herbs. The Alexandre Chablis from Burgundy is an elegant and sophisticated white with subtle fruit and layered minerality.
For this gift, we've paired a bottle each from two highly regarded wine regions, one from Italy and the other, France. The Riecine Chianti from Tuscany is a benchmark example of the style with black cherries and herbs. The Alexandre Chablis from Burgundy is an elegant and sophisticated white with subtle fruit and layered minerality.
We imagined this mixed wine case as a selection of everything you'd need to see you through Christmas Day. It covers sparkling, whites, reds and port. You have Cava for Christmas day bucks fizz; choices of wines to serve with dinner, whether that is Pinot Noir with turkey or Albarino with fish; plus some rich port to go with the inevitable cheeseboard. This case also includes a card with tasting notes and food pairing tips to make choosing which to drink even easier.
This takes the Christmas case and expands it with extra choices of wines to serve with dinner, whether that is Rioja with lamb or Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc with seabass. Plus some luscious sweet wine to go with desserts and an extra bottle of fizz for New Year. However it is also a spectacular gift to give someone who loves wine. You'd knock their brand new Christmas socks off with this.
For the ultimate treat, you could give someone a gift that keeps on giving and giving and giving. To provide that, we have a range of subscription options that can be gifted for either 3 or 6 months. We think our fine wine subscription is the one to go for this year. A top-notch selection of three superb wines with extra finesse, intensity and prestige from some of the top wine regions of the world; delivered to their door every month. It's the perfect choice for someone who is really into their wines and is a great way to learn and explore finer wines. This is a seriously special wine gift.
If in doubt, choose glassware
If you really can't decide on what wines choose, why not turn to a stylish glassware instead? That way they'll be smiling whatever they're drinking out of them. We have a high-quality range that can complement different styles or be used as versatile everyday glasses.
Made by highly respected German glassware producer Schott Zwiesel, theseVivid Senses sparkling wine glassesstand out for their elongated bowl and effervescence point at the base, which maintains that special fizz in sparkling wine and champagne.
Serious luxury and style meets high performance functionality with this innovative decanter. Eto gives you the freedom to enjoy wine on your time. Its innovative, patented design prevents oxidation, to preserve your wine’s full flavour until you’re ready for another glass.
In Master of Wine blind taste tests, laboratory trials and in the homes of wine lovers the world over, eto performs beautifully - enhancing the pleasure of wine drinking and reducing wastage. Wines that were stored in the eto for 7 days tasted just as fresh as a newly opened bottle, with the added benefit of opening up the flavours in the wine. Every sip is as delicious as it should be.
This is an ideal gift for a wine lover and for those who like to enjoy finer wines in moderation.
Gifts for the those who prefer spirits
Whether you like whisky or rum, gin or vodka - we have a wide range of spirits to choose from too. Included in our Christmas shop are some spirits gifts that make it even easier to buy for the spirits drinker in your life.
Inspired by the flavours of the Caribbean rum and spice imports received into Salford Docks during the early 1900s, Salford Rum is also a tribute to the dock-workers who were the beating heart of the dock during this era. Whether you want to have a little rum tasting at home, or you're looking for the perfect gift for a rum lover, this Salford Rum Miniature Gift Set allows you to try their 3 best selling rums.
Presented in a striking Attitude Decanter. This is aged for over 20 years in red Limousin oak casks and then in ‘old’ barrels, and is made from a series of eaux-de-vie from the Petite Champagne terroir. Elegant, floral, fine and original, with impressive complexity. Aromas of candied fruit (apricot, prune, peach, apple) mixed with a note of honey, cocoa. The texture is full, mellow and silky leading to a refreshing finish with a warming spiciness that goes on an on. Taste at 20°C, to appreciate its suppleness, finesse and complexity.
For those with a sweet tooth, Elodie Vallet suggests a tasting of this with a chocolate dessert!
Finally if you're after a stocking filler, have you ever considered giving mulled wine christmas gifts? Why not pop in a bottle as an easy festive treat.
Kate Says
"Mulled wine is a Christmas essential. Just the smell of it can get you in the festive mood. This is a great time saver, just pop it in a pan and warm it up for a cosy sip that is sure to make you smile."
Chill your wine or sparkling wine in style with this great Cooler Sleeve. Very efficient, it cools your wine in just a few minutes and keeps it cold for hours.
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