Tis the season to be merry and indulge! Christmas is without a doubt my favourite time of year. The food, the festivities, and also the tipple. I’ve been hosting Christmas parties and private fine dining experiences for many years now. During my time I’ve experimented with ingredients, textures, flavours, and most importantly, drink pairing. Here are my top 5 tipples for you to try this Christmas time that will definitely get the festive party started!

Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs

There is no better way to start off a dinner party than with a stunning glass of Gusborne’s Blanc de Blancs 2018. This stunning English sparkling wine is elegant, pure and the perfect choice for any sophisticated celebration.

A bright golden colour with a delicate mousse, this Blanc De Blancs has classic Chardonnay aromas of green apple, citrus and mineral notes combined with buttered toast and Tarte Tatin richness from extended lees ageing. This wine is a great accompaniment to seafood in general, but is perfect with freshly shucked oysters.

Described as “A wine that typifies the linear purity of classic Blanc De Blancs,” it delivers a direct, elegant and fresh finish that my guests love. A glass of Gusbourne’s is a perfect accompaniment when enjoying canapés before a dinner party.

Cranberry & Christmas tree Gin

For the cocktail lovers out there, why not try infusing your own spirits? I love to play with different combinations, and one of my favourites has to be Cranberry & Christmas tree Gin. This must be made 1 month before serving to really infuse the flavours. All you need is a classic dry gin, cleaned Christmas tree branches, fresh cranberries and a little lemon peel. Seal in a large jar or glass bottle, shaking every few days. I like to serve this over ice with a splash of Tonic and garnished with a couple of cranberries and a small sprig of Christmas tree. This is guaranteed to get you in the spirit and is perfect for a festive drink with friends!

Now let’s get to business with the wines…

Domaine du Pré Semelé Sancerre

If you are looking for a standout white wine this year with a luxury twist then I would highly recommend a Domaine du Pré Semelé Sancerre, AOP Sancerre 2022. With citrus notes of lime & grapefruit and a gentle herbaceous element, this is a standout wine to enjoy with friends. I like to serve this with a Scallop Ravioli with buttered lobster, crab & sweetcorn. It will also go perfectly with your turkey dinner!

Now on to the red wine….

If turkey isn’t your thing, why not try a prime Rib of Beef, classic beef Wellington or an aged Sirloin of beef this year? I love cooking Aged fillet of beef with slow cooked ox cheek on the side, all sticky and sweet, melting in the mouth. As its Christmas, in my opinion you must go big with a red wine. Something full bodied like a Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Australian Shiraz, but for me there is only one wine to choose –

Prà Morandina

A fantastic pairing for red meat is a wine that has it all – Prà Morandina, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2016. Ripe & Spicy on the nose with aromas of wild cherry, plums & dried herbs. Ripe tannins with flavours of bitter cherry, spice and notes of liquorice. And the finish, its complex, ripe red fruit & dried orange peel backed with a hint of Mocha. Perfection in a glass!

Now to finish…

Royal Espresso Martini

You’ve eaten all day, drank a fair bit and are in serious need of a pick me up. Why not treat yourself to “Royal Espresso Martini”

My absolute favourite vodka is Royal Mash. It’s a potato-based vodka using the world-famous Jersey Royal potatoes, which creates a unique creamy flavour to this award-winning spirit. Using this vodka in any cocktail elevates it to another level, however I promise you that using this to make an espresso martini will blow your mind! My guests absolutely love these after a dining experience and to be honest I will always be making more than one round! Here’s how to make your own:

2 shots of Royal Mash Vodka

2 shots of cold Espresso coffee

½ shot Kahlúa

½ shot sugar syrup

Pour into a shaker over ice and shake until the shaker frosts over.

Strain into frozen martini glasses and garnish with a dried orange and cranberry or just a couple of coffee beans

I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to your perfect Christmas day drinks! If you’re looking for an exquisite private fine dining experience in your home, you can find out more here.