The festive season is the perfect opportunity to sample new wines and Champagnes.
We’ve chosen a selection of 6 superb French wines that will provide the perfect aperitifs, and main course accompaniments, as well as a fine dessert pairing. Santé!
Sparkling aperitifs:
Champagne Gremillet Rosé d’Assemblage Brut NV (All About Wine £27.99)
A blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay creates a basket of sun-drenched red and black fruits. Fresh and delicate with fine bubbles, this Champagne is on trend being both rosé and zero dosage at 9gr/l, minimum 22 months ageing. Delicious served chilled as a welcome drink.
Calvet Brut, Crémant de Bordeaux 2016 (Ocado £12.49)
The new trend in French sparkling, Crémant offers regionally diverse fizz made in the same way as Champagne at great value price points. A blend of Sémillon/Cabernet Franc, made on the chalk/clay slopes of the Entre deux Mers, this wine is fresh with yellow fruit flavours and appealing notes of brioche. A perfect start to celebrations to accompany festive canapés. 11.5% abv
Main course:
Château Cantin, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, 2014 (Waitrose £25.99)
Made traditionally, hand-picked and vinified in wooden kegs for 12-14 months, from a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. This ‘plush’ Saint-Emilion is laden with rich blackberry and cedar flavours together with a smooth texture; the perfect pairing with plump roast goose and game and refined creamy cheeses. 14.5% abv
Chateau La Fortune, Margaux AOP, 2015 (Oxford Wine Co £32.99)
Located in an exceptional terroir with hilltops of ancient gravel from the Pyrenees and the Garonne, Chateau la Fortune has great character and elegance. Comprising 74% Cabernet Sauvignon and 26% Merlot, flavours are supple and balanced with blackberry jam and liquorice notes with a long finish. A perfect pairing with red meat, game and chocolate cake.
Cheese course:
Calvet Reserve, Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux, 2016 (Waitrose £9.39)
A mix of 70% Merlot, 30%, and Cabernet Sauvignon, Calvet’s leading brand of claret, is made by a dynamic young winemaker in a modern style with unmistakable Bordeaux character. Full-bodied with silky tannins and notes of gingerbread, caramel and black pepper. It is a perfect combination with aromatic soft cheeses like Camembert and goat cheese. Vegetarian and Vegan. 13% abv.
Dessert:
Calvet Brut Rosé, Crémant de Bordeaux 2016 (Ocado £12.75)
This Rosé Crémant de Bordeaux is made in the same way as Champagne, with a second fermentation in the bottle resulting in an aromatic blend of red berries, blackcurrants and bonbons.
This intense rosé Brut is a fine, fruity wine that’s perfect as an aperitif and also a great partner for a French-style fruit tart. Made from a mix of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. 11.5% abv