Spoil yourself at Christmas

• Author: John Wilson
• Published date: 19 December 2020
• Date: 19 December 2020
• Publication title: Irish Times (Dublin, Ireland)

Dust off your decanter collection and use them for both red and white wine. Good large tulip-shaped glasses from companies such as Riedel can certainly make a wine taste better.

Most of us serve white wine too cold and red wine too warm; leave your white outdoors the night before you want to drink it and the reds in an unheated room.

I have been covering Christmas wines from supermarkets online over the past few weeks, and made a few medium-priced suggestions last Saturday. This week, wines for those of you looking for something extra special to enjoy on Christmas day.

There is nothing better than a glass of fizz to get festivities started and while there are plenty of inexpensive options, this is one area where you will definitely taste the difference.

If you must have Prosecco, the Ca' dei Zago 2018, Valdobbiadene Frizzante (€24, Sheridans and independents) is spectacularly good. O'Briens has the Rizzardi Prosecco Spumante (€17.95) and Frizzante (€14.71), but I would much prefer the excellent Canals Nadal Cava (€24.55).

Whelehan's has one of my favourite champagnes, the Bénard-Pitois Brut Réserve 1er cru, for €34. If you intend spoiling yourself, I have tasted Krug Grande Cuvée (€215), Dom Perignon 2010 (€210) and Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires (€168) this year; all are excellent but expensive, making the Jacquesson 743 Extra Brut featured here look like a bargain.

For a special white, the Clos Bortier featured here is superb, but even better is the sumptuous Meursault Les Grands Charrons 2018, Pierre Girardin (€80, Ely, Blackrock Cellar). Alternatively, O'Briens has the sophisticated Rully 'Montmorin' 2017, Jean Chartron (€27.95).

I covered turkey last week, so today some suggestions for goose or beef. If your tastes are Italian, any of the Nebbiolos I featured in October would be great, as would the superb Massolino Barolo featured here, or the fragrant, soft Barolo Cannubi 2015, Rinaldi (€65, Whelehan's). From Bordeaux, Mitchell & Son has the spicy, medium-bodied Clos des Templiers 2016 (€28.95), O'Briens, Jus de Vine and Searsons are all...