What will the best sommeliers in the UK be drinking this Christmas? We asked the some of 2024s Top 100 Sommeliers about what they will be pouring for themselves and their guests during the festivities…
It’s always good to know what those in the know are drinking and will be recommending during December and early January to celebrate Christmas and the New Year. Not only because it gives a unqiue insight into what they regard as a treat but also because you never know when you might see one of these wines or drinks on a wine list and be able to give them a try.
Vanessa Stolz
Head Sommelier, Restaurant Pine (Newcastle) & Top 100 Sommelier UK 2024
Even though I mentioned some pretty off-piste wines, I recommend celebrating with locally sourced British wines! British Sparkling wines are exceptional, and if you want to pair your wines with turkey or other roasts.
“Our festive tipple this year is homemade mulled wine, a tradition not to be missed!
I’ll also pop open some very exciting wines, including delicious fizz from East Sussex, England, Tickerage ‘Cuvee Classic’ 2013. The white wine will be a dry and still Chardonnay from France Champagne by Pierre Gerbais. And for red, a magnum (always) from Bulgaria, Struma Valley, Logodaj ‘Melnik 55’.
Even though I mentioned some pretty off-piste wines, I recommend celebrating with locally sourced British wines! British Sparkling wines are exceptional, and if you want to pair your wines with turkey or other roasts, Danbury’s Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Essex can be one of many top choices. It will enlighten conversation and startle families doubting your wine picks, or even just for yourself to appreciate a good glass to sit back and relax. Whatever your choosing, I wish you the most exquisite festivities.”
Callum McCann
Maître Sommelier, The Balmoral, Scotland (Edinburgh) & Hallgarten & Novum Wines Top 5 Young Sommelier 2024
A bit cliché, but Champagne is always a must during the festive season — personally I tend to indulge with Dom Pérignon.
“For something sweet, I’ll be recommending Inniskillin sparkling ice wine to guests in the restaurant. Its elegance and complexity make it an exceptional choice, whether paired with desserts or enjoyed on its own as a luxurious treat.
“Ultimately the festive period is the perfect opportunity to explore new styles and discover unique bottles, adding some extra fun to the celebrations.”
Jiachen Lu
Head Sommelier, CORD by Le Cordon Bleu (London) & Gosset Champagne Top 5 Ones to Watch 2024
Perhaps a good Vin Santo from Santorini or Commandaria from Cyprus for a change with (or as) desserts, but definitely a few Sherry of different sweet levels as I just completed the Certified Sherry Educator course this year.
“Festive dinner table is the perfect time (or excuse?) to treat our loved ones and ourselves. Starting with a couple of White Cosmopolitans, my guests and I can never go wrong with easing into a beautiful Pinot Noir for roasted turkey with sage butter. This year, I will look into Sonoma Coast, Leyda Valley and Hemel-en-Aarde Valley for better value. On the next day, I will open a bottle of well-made Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro for its concentrated fruits, bright acidity and structured tannins to go with a hearty leftover turkey cranberry and brie panini.
“Looking forward to my first Christmas goose, I have my heart set on Rosé de Saignée from Champagne Larmandier-Bernier – maybe I will finally convince my friends that a full-bodied, complex, daring hence gastronomic Champagne could and should go beyond the first course. Otherwise, I will have a premium Chenin Blanc from South Africa and a Xinomavro from Nemea, Greece as backups to balance with a scrumptious meal. Perhaps a good Vinsanto from Santorini or Commandaria from Cyprus for a change with (or as) desserts, but definitely a few Sherry of different sweet levels as I just completed the Certified Sherry Educator course this year.”
Harry Cooper
Head Sommelier, Counter 71 (London) & Top 100 Sommelier UK 2024
December can be the season for indulgence so I always have a bottle of Saicho sparkling tea ready to share with my wife who is alcohol intolerant. We both have our favorite varieties but this year we were gifted a bottle of their extremely limited rare tea release; a black tea from Sixty Stone Mountain in Taiwan, we have saved that for Christmas day .
“Earlier this year I treated myself to a bottle of 1969 Maury from Mas Ameil. I love sweet fortified wines & an extra bonus is that I can sip away at them over time and not worry about spoilage, a nice sweet alternative to whisky or Cognac. The wine has aged for 11 months outside in glass demijohns then for 40 years in oak cask before bottling. Sipping slowly is almost meditative, like enjoying a fine cigar.
“Being a big advocate of English sparkling wines at Counter 71 (we have a growing selection) I have very much enjoyed showing Bluebell Vineyards 2013 Hindleap Blanc de Blancs. From a small producer in East Sussex, the wine is very well made & has been stored long term on the lees so the wine sharp acidity & docile fruit is rounded off by broad bready notes which gives a lovely long finish. “