Festive treats: The best wines to seek out in December 2023
Wanting to treat your guests, and yourself, to something a little bit special on the festive table this year?
As a companion selection to our 34 wines under £20, the Decanter team has selected 16 standout bottles certain to impress, and all available in the UK priced from £20-£50.
Must try-white: Domaine Bott-Geyl, Sonnenglanz Gewurztraminer, Alsace, France 2015
Must-try red: Yangarra, Old Vine Grenache, Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale, South Australia 2021
Festive treats: December 2023
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Charles Mignon, Premier Cru Brut, Champagne, France
A blend of 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay from Premier Cru terroirs in Coteaux d'Epernay and Montage de Reims and 25% of reserve wines....
Charles Mignon
Bott-Geyl, Sonnenglanz Gewurztraminer, Alsace, France, 2015
If you’re feeling adventurous, try this medium-sweet, biodynamic Gewurztraminer which has intriguing aromas of baked pineapple and a yeasty tang, akin to a Belgian lambic...
2015
Bott-Geyl
Dawson James, Chardonnay, Derwent Valley, Tasmania, Australia, 2018
This DWWA Gold medal winner is worth the price (as is the Platinum-winning 2020). Intense and ripe, but with low alcohol, racy acidity and seamless...
2018
Dawson JamesDerwent Valley
Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt, Alte Reben Riesling Trocken, Mosel, Germany, 2020
Intriguing interplay between classic Riesling oiliness and a wink of subtle bay leaf and oregano. The honeyed unctuosity of the mid-palate is lifted by a...
2020
Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt
Angus Paul, Barbary Fictions Chenin Blanc, Bottelary, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2022
Rich, concentrated and structured, from a single vineyard planted in 1972. Initial Gala apple juiciness segues into lemon verbena and a salty bite of samphire,...
2022
Angus PaulBottelary
Domaine Jean Teiller, Menetou-Salon, Loire, France, 2022
Full yet refreshing, this strikes a perfect balance between character and drinkability. The Sauvignon Blanc fruit is ripe and inviting without loss of crunch. A...
2022
Domaine Jean TeillerMenetou-Salon
Louis Jadot, Bourgogne Chardonnay, Burgundy, France, 2022
New to Sainsbury's for autumn, this white Burgundy is made from parcels of Chardonnay in the Côte d'Or and Mâconnais. Vinified and aged in a...
2022
Louis Jadot
Mirabeau, La Reserve Rosé, Côtes de Provence, Provence, France, 2022
After devastating wildfires in 2021, 2022 has yielded an impressive Grenache-led rosé of great concentration and finesse. Floral aromas of violets and roses, bright pops...
2022
MirabeauCôtes de Provence
Yangarra, Old Vine Grenache, McLaren Vale, Blewitt Springs, South Australia, Australia, 2021
Sold out in Australia as soon as it was named Red Wine of the Year, buy this before it's gone here, too. From 1946-planted vines,...
2021
YangarraMcLaren Vale
Tablas Creek, Patelin de Tablas Rouge, Paso Robles, California, USA, 2019
California and value are two words not usually spoken in the same breath when it comes to wine. But with this elegant, fragrant blend of...
2019
Tablas CreekPaso Robles
Bodega Chacra, Roka Malbec, Patagonia, Argentina, 2021
Bodega Chacra is best known for its Pinot Noirs, but Roka – a recent addition to the range – is an equally superb expression of...
2021
Bodega Chacra
Boekenhoutskloof, Patina Syrah, Swartland, South Africa, 2019
From young vines on the Goldmine Farm, this is a real gem. The fruit purity, chalky texture and sinewy strength are profound: it oozes class...
2019
Boekenhoutskloof
Berry Bros & Rudd, Bourgogne Côte d'Or Pinot Noir by Benjamin Leroux, Bourgogne, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, France, 2022
A fixture in the Berry Bros own-label range since 2019, this good value Burgundy is made by talented young winemaker Benjamin Leroux. Old-vine Pinot Noir...
2022
Berry Bros & RuddBourgogne
José Gil, San Vicente de la Sonsierra, Rioja, Northern Spain, Spain, 2021
This dense, plump wine with plenty of juice, and supple tannnin is a blend of five parcels, fermented half in concrete and have in old...
2021
José GilRioja
Château Brane-Cantenac, The Society's Exhibition Margaux, Margaux, Bordeaux, France, 2018
Deep, perfumed nose with plum compote, blueberry jam and blackberry lined by cocoa dust. Great dynamism to the palate, with layers of ripe black fruit,...
2018
Château Brane-CantenacMargaux
Croft, Quinta da Roêda, Douro, Douro Valley, Portugal, 2004
Presented in a wooden case, this single quinta Port would make a great Christmas gift. Beautifully fragrant, this is drinking so well now, with juicy...
2004
CroftDouro
