Christmas Box

Christmas Box 2025: 

*Les Hautes Terres, Joséphine NV (Limoux – Mauzac Jaune, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay)

Gilles and Genevieve Azzam’s vines are scattered around the village of Roquetaillade in Limoux, and their crémant is a fantastic alternative to Champagne; it is full of buttery toastiness, with bright herbaceous notes and dense bubbles. A fitting aperitif, it also has enough body and texture to stand up to food, especially the usual big flavours of Christmas. In short, a wonderful tipple to toast the Winter Solstice.

Maisons Brûlées, Maisons Bullées Rosé 2024 (Loire – Gamay & Cabernet Franc)

As with last year’s box we have decided to include two sparkling wines, because now is the time to pop a bottle of fizz! For some contrast we have chosen a sparkling rosé from Touraine in the Loire Valley. We tasted this pét nat with Paul and Corinne back in February, early in the morning in the cold and wet of the Loire winter, and were struck by its fresh and restorative minerality, delicate fruit, and how easily it went down. This would work perfectly as first tipple on Christmas Day, a palate refresher after the big meal, or even as an eye-opener on Boxing Day morning.

*Jean-Christophe Garnier, Les Justices 2023 (Loire – Chenin Blanc)

We were immensely lucky to receive a few different Chenin Blancs from Jean-Christophe this year. He and his family farm a few hectares of vines in and around Saint-Lambert-du-Lattay in Anjou, mainly grown on the area’s distinctive terroir of schist, marl, and limestone. Les Justices is from a newly acquired plot near their cellar, JCG presses the grapes slowly with his large basket press and ferments and ages the wine on the lees in old barrels. The resulting wine is beautifully complex, the first glass or two shows some crystalline freshness and zing, and after some time opening up you can feel the more classic opulence and more warmly fruited finish. This would be delicious at any time on Christmas Day, but there is a point in the festivities, the oven is full to the brim, the table is yet to be laid, and the sink is stacked with washing up, when I would love to be passed a glass of this.

Klinec, Jakot 2019 (Brda, Tokai Friuliano)

Alek Klinec’s family have been growing grapes in Medana in Solvenia’s Brda-Collio region since 1918 on steep terraces of alternating marl and sandstone. These terraced hills lead down from the Julian Alps to the Gorizia plains and the Adriatic, forming a sort of amphitheatre facing the gulf of Trieste. The combination of soil and climate make Medana a particularly special place to grow grapes and Alek’s farming practice allows him to take full advantage of all these benefits. As with all their whites, the Jakot is macerated on the skins, here for about 4 days, before ageing for 3 years in 2,000lt acacia wood barrels; it is an enchanting wine full of smoke and salt, with some rich textured apricot fruit as it opens up. This has enough oomph to contend with the richness and decadence of the Christmas table, and if you can, keep a glass enjoy with your cheese and nuts as the candles burn low.

Domaine des Trouillères, Carambolage II 2023/24 (Auvergne – Pinot Noir, Gamay d’Auvergne, Chardonnay)

Camille and Mikaël Hyvert bought Domaine des Trouillères in 2015, drawn to the Auvergne for its terroir and because of their passion for archaeology. They farm 6 hectares scattered over a few different parcels on the slopes of the Puy du Sancy, overlooking their village. Their vines are planted between 380 and 500 meters above sea-level, are certified organic, and they practice biodynamics and bon sens paysan. Carambolage II blends fruit from all of Camille and Mikaël’s plots, and from two different vintages to help supplement successive poor harvests. The Chardonnay brings soft fruit and some plush richness to the otherwise quite lean smoke and spice of the Gamay and Pinot noir. For a first red on Christmas Day we often reach for something with a touch of lightness and lift, and this just does that.

*Fabio Gea, Onde Graviotazionali 2021 (Piemonte – Barbera, Nebbiolo…)

Fabio farms just over one hectare of vines just outside Bricco di Nieve that he inherited from his grandfather. His project is a fascinating one, for while he does produce a couple of more classic Barbarescos, he also has an intensely experimental side. And this showcases this spirit exceptionally well: it’s a blend of mainly Barbera and Nebbiolo, but with a smattering of old unknown grapes growing in and amongst his fruit trees and hedgerows. Similarly, instead of the more traditional barrel ageing, here Fabio opts for ageing in large stoneware vessels. The results are delightful–there’s some unctuous red fruit and pithy tannin, all balanced by a comforting richness and depth.

The wines included in the 3 bottles box are marked with an asterisk.

Please note, due to availability the wines are subject to change.

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