Trust us: as people who live, breathe, and drink wine, we understand that December calls for the perfect selection of wines on hand.
Barbecues, Christmas dinners, summer celebrations, New Year’s Eve, and the all-important ‘just because’ – it doesn’t matter what the occasion is, we have a great bottle of wine for it!
All of our wines have to be approved by our fussy Tasting Panel before being listed on the website, so we reckon any pack you put together will contain 100% bangers, but we put our heads together to come up with the ultimate foolproof mixed dozen to get you through December and all of its celebrations.
We’ve got you covered with four reds, four whites and four sparkling wines to bring to any December occasion.
Don’t forget: until December 5, use code BLACKFRIYAY to get 25% off your Pick ‘n’ Mix dozen (with free delivery Australia-wide).
The Foolproof Red Wines
We get it: not everyone loves a big, bold red, and not every occasion calls for one. The Heirloom Vineyards Velvet Fog Pinot Noir is a winner for those who don’t love the punchiness of a Shiraz or Cab Sauv, but who still want plenty of flavour, particularly when pairing a wine with food. Flavours of strawberries, savories, spice, salinity and beetroot make this the perfect wine to pair with a roast turkey, mushroom dishes, or even a cheese board.
Some say that Shiraz isn’t for summertime, but we humbly think they’re dead wrong. Sure, it’s not the sort of wine you sip to cool down on a scorcher of a day, but when the sun goes down and the barbecue fires up, a bold Shiraz packed with flavour is just the ticket. This Oliver’s Taranga Shiraz from South Australia’s McLaren Vale is mid-weight, concentrated and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser to pair with steak or a hearty pasta.
A nice imported wine is always going to be a hit at dinner parties, and we think this Carlos Serres Rioja is a reliable go-to when you’re asked to bring wine but don’t know what’s on the menu. This Tempranillo is packed with red fruits, cherries, spice and oak, and pairs well with dishes that have a little spice in them – think Spanish tapas, spicy sausage, or paella – foods best enjoyed on long, hot summer nights.
Special occasion? Want to impress your in-laws? Dandelion’s Faraway Tree of McLaren Vale Grenache is the kind of wine we like to stash away for a memorable moment: family gathering, Christmas Day, first day of your long-awaited holiday…and there are plenty of those days to be enjoyed in December. Bring this wine along to any gathering where you want some serious wine-selecting cred. Great as a gift to cellar for up to ten years, or to drink right now.
The Foolproof White Wines
If you like your white wines to be bold enough to pair with a Christmas dinner, a Chardonnay such as the Maison Jean Loron Pouilly Fuisse BIO ‘La Coronile’ 2019 is just the ticket. Aged in French oak, this white wine has complexity and power, with a creaminess that comes from the oak, and stonefruit and grapefruit flavours that offer balance and elegance.
Nothing says summer like a crisp, tropical Sauvvy B; the kind of wine you reach for when it’s scorching hot and you have no plans but to stay cool. We love the Riposte The Foil Sauvignon Blanc from the Adelaide Hills, which offers passionfruit and florals on the nose, and pairs well with Thai dishes or seafood.
It’s always a good idea to have a couple of easy drinking, wallet-friendly winners on hand, and the Joshua Tree Riesling hits all of the marks, punching above its weight in terms of value for money. With citrus, honey and acidity, this Watervale Riesling is a great wine to bring to barbecues, casual get-togethers, or to drink by the firepit on a summer camping trip.
Another perfect summer drop, the Hastwell & Lightfoot Fiano boasts aromas such as pear, lemon and green apple, which makes it an ideal accompaniment for dishes like salads, fish, and Thai food. Refreshing and crisp, this wine is sure to be a hit for any occasion December decides to throw your way.
The Foolproof Sparkling Wines
Is there anything better on a hot Aussie Christmas morning than popping a bottle of sparkling red wine to go with an indulgent breakfast? We think not. The Leconfield Syn Coonawarra Sparkling Shiraz is our pick for any celebratory brekkie you may have coming up. Keep this one in the fridge for the perfect morning.
Sparkling red isn’t for everyone, so you can’t go wrong with a bottle of Adelaide Hills Blanc de Blanc; Howard Vineyard is known for their excellent sparkling, and this is no exception. Peach, citrus and crème brûlée on the nose lead to green apple and grapefruit on the palate… in other words, the flavours of summer celebrations! We love this one for cheersing the New Year.
Using the same varietal as the popular Italian Prosecco, the Villa Fresco by Pizzini Prosecco hails from the King Valley region of Victoria. It’s complex for a Prosecco, with lemon sherbet and lime zest, yeast, toastiness and a hint of jasmine. Great for everyday moments of celebration… or just because it’s summer and you made it through another year. We’ll always toast to that!
Not into red or white bubbles? How about pink bubbles, then? The Lloyd Brothers Sparkling Rosé is made from Adelaide Hills Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, using the traditional Methode Champenoise tequnique. This complex sparkling has depth of flavour and pairs well with seafood, or perhaps this pineapple chicken. Another crowd pleaser (have we said that about all of these wines? That’s because it’s true).
So there you have it: our foolproof mixed dozen to December-proof your wine rack!
