Andy Rose, owner of independent wine merchants, Grand Cru Co in Beckenham selects perfect wines for every occasion this Christmas.

“Whether you’re hosting your family for Christmas Day and want the best wines to pair with your salmon and turkey, you’re having friends round for a festive get together or you’d simply like a good glass of red to enjoy while you wrap the Christmas presents, I’ve picked a selection of our best whites, reds and champagne from Grand Cru Co this season. Enjoy and have a very Happy Christmas.”

• Champagne

Janisson Baradon Tradition NV at £18.95

Champagne is synonymous with celebrations and this Janisson Baradon shouldn’t be missed this Christmas. It reveals aromas of red berries to the nose and palate, which superbly mix with notes of white flowers. A lively champagne that is a blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, it pairs very well with smoked salmon for a perfect start to any Christmas party.

• Our pick of the whites …

Chablis 1er Cru Le Montmains 2012 at £18.95

This is a very pale, clear wine that reveals the rich tertiary aromas of the grand Chablis, with mineral aromas of flint chips complemented by subtle buttery notes. The immediate impression is quite lively, followed by a rush of aromas such as grapefruit and orange peel. A light honey and spice touch is reminiscent of ginger.

Crisp acidity, taut minerality and razor-fine balance makes Chablis a perfect wine to be enjoyed with shellfish and white fish. Try our Chablis 1er Cru with stuffed lobster tails.

• Our pick of the Reds …

La Crema Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 2013 at £21,95

This medium bodied and fruity Pinot Noir has tones of wild strawberry, red plum, rose petals, baking spice aromas, cranberry and black tea flavors all in a broad, concentrated, and lingering wine.

Our La Crema Pinot Noir pairs perfectly with the traditional Christmas lunch favourite. Being a lean, white meat not too powerfully flavoured, turkey matches perfectly with a medium to full bodied red wine.  

La Fleur Pourret, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2009 at £18.95

With a complex nose of confit raspberries, red berries, earth, cinnamon and green tobacco leaf, this is a wine with a complex as well as balanced palate. A great Saint-Emilion, which is testament to the fine 2009 vintage, this wine with its round and supple tannins is concentrated and persistent.

This wine would pair very well with roast beef, another Christmas favourite. Being cooked for long time Roast Beef needs something that can match its soft texture. A medium body possibly mature red characterised by round and ripe tannin. 

• A cheeky port

Graham 10 year old Port at £ 14.95

This port is beautifully deep, rich and tawny with almond and hazelnut aromas combined with notes of honey and figs. It’s packed with mellow, raisin fruit and fig flavours, with a long, luscious caramel-flavoured finish.

Tawny port is aromatic, amber-hued and super-smooth : matching perfectly with Christmas pudding.

And because tawnys are so rounded and easy in texture it would also match well with creamy desserts, and chocolate ones.

Find out more about the wines that we stock at Grand Cru Co by visiting www.grandcruco.com  or do come into the shop and say hello at:

9 Kelsey Park Road

Beckenham

BR3 6LH

At Grand Cru Co, we sell wine by the bottle or case (including mixed cases) as well as magnums and larger bottles, which are great for celebrations and gifts.  Prices start at £8.50 a bottle with free local delivery on cases. Friendly and knowledgeable staff are on hand to chat about the wine and there is always a selection open to sample. The shop also runs private tasting events.

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