Great value magnums for Christmas and New Year
Looking to party on a budget but still want something a bit special? See our recommendations for good value magnums below.
Majestic recently reported that it expected higher sales of magnums for Christmas 2017, following a bumper sales this year.
Magnums are a great size for groups, which makes the 150cl bottle a perfect choice for Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Magnums can also offer a slightly different experience to a standard bottle. In general, one would expect wine in magnum to age more slowly, retaining primary fruit character for longer, than the same wine in a standard bottle.
However, this is not a precise science and would still depend on a range of other factors, such as storage conditions and closure quality.
Great value magnums for Christmas:
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Valdespino, Inocente Single Vineyard Macharnudo Fino (Magnum), Fino, Jerez, Spain
91
<p>Inocente is an old favourite. It's from a famous vineyard and is one of those rare Finos to still be fermented in oak, tended by an excellent cellarmaster. In magnum form, as here, it's a real treat.</p>
ValdespinoFino
Berry Bros & Rudd, Good Ordinary Claret (Magnum), Bordeaux, France, 2015
90
Aromas of black pepper and bacon fat on the nose lead into a supple palate, smooth and ripe, with tight flavours of blackberry, cherry and a hint of blueberry. There's a woody, slightly earthy, tobacco-led character which comes out on the mid-palate, and it has a good finish, although a good decant should open up the fruit even more. Savoury.
2015
Berry Bros & Rudd
Moreson, Madame Molly (Magnum), Western Cape, South Africa
89
This Methode Cap Classique sparkler from the Western Cape has a rich, bready, yeasty nose, hiding notes of ripe green apple and lemon sherbert. The fine, lively mousse provides a good cushion for the baked apple, peppery spice and toasty, creamy flavours. A good choice if you're looking for a rich, dry alternative to champagne.
Moreson
Philizot & Fils, La Gourmandise d'Eleonore Brut (Magnum), 1er Cru, Champagne, France
89
A lean, bruised apple, spice and bread character on the nose leads into an intense baked apple and spice palate. There is some brioche richness and a clean, fresh acidity. Quite refined.
Philizot & Fils1er Cru
Château La Tuilerie du Puy, Castle Street Claret (Magnum), Bordeaux Supérieur, Bordeaux, France, 2014
89
Bold aromas of creamy, plummy fruit leap from the glass, while in the mouth it's sweet, fleshy and smooth, with succulent black, blue and red fruits mingling together with a touch of hedgerow herbaceousness. It finishes dry, with a lick of wood and some liquorice too. A great quaffer, really enjoyable without being particularly serious - especially in magnum!
2014
Château La Tuilerie du PuyBordeaux Supérieur
Henri Delattre, Selection (Magnum), Champagne, France
87
Coming in at a penny under £30, this is a great pick for those in the mood for celebrating. This magnum is not particularly high-end, but instead offers cheap thrills with tart green apple flavours accompanied by a light bready note. It's crisp, but the bubbles aren't aggressive like they can be at this price point. If you're on a budget but you prefer the fuller character of Champagne to the lighter, lemon freshness of Prosecco, then give this a try. Available from 30th November.
Henri Delattre
Aldi, Ca'di Pietra (Magnum), Prosecco, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
87
This basic Prosecco, in magnum format, may be all you need for winter fizz. It has a touch of residual sugar sweetness and weight to it, with flavours of baked apple and pear. Fairly simple, but excellent value and good fun in this bottle size.
Aldi
