Struggling to find the perfect wines to match with the seemingly never-ending feasts over the Christmas period? With a little help from an expert, we’ve picked out an intricate selection that will take your lunch to the next level and more importantly will help you push through a day of tedious conversation with that weird cousin who shows up every couple of years.
Enter Langtons Master of Wine, Ned Goodwin. With a globe-trotting career that has seen him play the roles of sommelier, educator, and critic, Ned’s recommendations for Christmas lunch, dinner, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve will hold you in good stead – so you can step away from that bottle of Yellow Tail you found in the bargain bin.
Langtons has become a respected name in the Australian wine scene, serving as a nexus for collectors and aficionados over the past 35 years. With an emphasis on deepening the appreciation of wine, their services extend beyond mere transactions to cultivate a more intimate understanding of wine culture.
So here are nine wines you can’t go wrong with to see out 2023.
Christmas Lunch
The midday toast begins with a sparkle, as we pop the cork of the Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs, a 2012 vintage that promises to dance on the tongue with the grace of the season. It will set you back about $499 a bottle.
For those seeking a narrative in their glass, the Clotilde Davenne Chablis stands as a testament to a female vintner’s challenge to the status quo, blending tradition with contemporary finesse. It ranges from $55 to $280 a bottle.
And to marry the richness of a Christmas feast, the Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay from Margaret River provides a harmonious balance to the robust flavours of the table. At $150 a bottle, you can’t go wrong.
Christmas Dinner
As the evening’s feast unfolds, the LaFalize Froissart makes an entrance, its price at $149 to $350 is as enticing as its bouquet.
This is where we ramp things up a little. Follow this up with the Domaine Armand Rousseau, a wine that is a gift in itself, commanding attention and respect with every sip. Available through Langtons, a bottle can go for anything from $1,495 to $7,500.
The Mount Mary Quintet Cabernet Blend from Yarra Valley stands ready to complement the hearty fare, its blend of a symphony of flavours that encapsulate the spirit of the season. You can pick up a 2021 bottle for $210.
Boxing Day
Post-Christmas relaxation calls for a laid-back but no less exquisite selection.
The Domaine Guiberteau offers a range to suit the mood of the day with a bottle ranging from $68 to $235, while the Vazart Coquart brings a bubbly cheer to the leftovers luncheon and is similarly priced at $90 to – $260
For South Australian wine lovers, treat yourself to a magnum of Thistledown Wines This Charming Man Grenache – a wine that promises to be as charming as its namesake.
New Year’s Eve
To herald in the New Year, a bottle of Dom Perignon P2 Second Plenitude stands as a beacon of luxury and celebration, a Champagne that has waited patiently to mark the occasion.
The ARRAS EJ Carr Late Disgorged Methode Traditionelle offers a Tasmanian twist to the evening.
For those who desire the pinnacle of vinous achievement, the Chateau Latour 1er cru classe is a treasure to be savoured as the clock strikes midnight.
Happy Drinking!
