Christmas Box

Christmas Box 2024:

FIZZ

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.

Daniele Piccinin, Rosa Per Voi 2021 (Veneto – Durella & Pinot Noir)

We have opted to include two bottles of bubbles in the box this year, mainly because if there is ever a time to pop a bottle of fizz it is now. For some contrast we have chosen a sparkling rosato from San Giovanni Ilarione, in the hills between Verona and Vicenza. Daniele blends a portion of his Durella with some Pinot Noir, producing this joyful and thirst-quenching mix of cherry fruit, savoury spice, and bright refreshing zip. This would work beautifully on Christmas morning or indeed after your big meal to cleanse the palate.

WHITE

Mas Coutelou, T.S.C.A. 2023 (Languedoc – Terret, Servant, Clairette, Aramon)

Jean François Coutelou (Jeff for short) runs his family’s domaine in Puimisson a few kilometres from Béziers on France’s Mediterranean coast. The farm has been certified organic since 1987 and disturbed by the monoculture of modern farming Jeff has planted thousands of trees amongst his vineyards transforming the 20 hectares of the farm to 13 planted with vines and the rest with olives, figs, almonds, and fruit trees. This blend showcases the work Jeff has been doing replanting lesser-known Languedoc varieties that are better suited to the harsh realities of our changing climate. It is beautifully tonic and herbaceous, with some warmth from the southern sun, and enough acidity to keep you coming back for more.

Calvez Bobinet, Les Gruches 2021 (Loire, Chenin Blanc) *

Farming a few hectares around Saumur, Seb Bobinet and Emeline Calvez are now probably best known for their thirst quenching, light and fun cuvées, but when we first fell in love with their wines it was with their deep, grown-up and sometimes wild Cabernet Francs and rich, soulful Chenin Blanc. Les Gruches comes from a small plot of old vines planted on the sheer limestone cliffs above the Loire. It has it pert, saline minerality and supple heady fruit. Long ageing in old barrels has provided the richness and roundness that we tend to crave more this time of year. This is a bottle to savour at the Christmas table, and into the night.

RED

Domaine La Bohème, P 2023 (Auvergne – Pinot Noir, Gamay)

We first met Patrick Bouju in 2009 while searching for winemakers in the Auvergne and beyond. Back then he was just working his four hectares of mainly Gamay d'Auvergne and Chardonnay on the slopes above his home and cellar alone, but he is now joined in all endeavours by his partner, Justine Loiseau. A few years ago they began working a new plot just the other side of the valley leading up to the Gergovie plateau, planted mainly with old vines of Pinot Noir, interspersed with some Gamay d’Auvergne, from which they make this cuvée. We tend to reach for less heavy reds to contrast the decadence of the Christmas table, and this has all the bloody, iron-y notes and lithe fruit to do just that.

Pacina, Toscana IGT 2015 (Tuscany – Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo) *

Giovanna, Stefano, along with their children Maria and Carlo (and now their partners), make wine in Pacina, a place renowned for vine growing since the time of the Etruscans whose god of wine and revelry – Pachna – gave his name to the place. The land’s limestone soils are fossil-rich, and much of this is translated into a deep minerality that give their reds such lifted complexity. Their flagship wine comes from their oldest vines, mainly Sangiovese with some Canaiolo and Ciliegiolo scattered throughout the rows. The long ageing in old barrels and then in bottle has softened the tannins and brought out the silky opulence hidden in these Tuscan grapes. This is one to serve at the heart of the meal, perhaps opened in advance, and to savour with the last morsels as the candles burn low.

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

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

Shipping:

FREE DELIVERY ON ORDERS OVER £99

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Orders are dispatched twice a week on a Tuesday and a Thursday.
Some more remote areas require a two day service. If you require delivery to a remote area please contact us before placing your order.