One problem about Christmas shopping starting in October, as it does nowadays, is that well-laid plans gang aft agley, as Robert Burns would have it. In wine terms, that often means that you or, more likely, your adult children will have already ploughed through your stocks, leaving only the smarter bottles that you’ve cleverly hidden for Christmas Day (if you’re lucky). For many of us, then, last-minute could almost mean starting from scratch; it could also certainly mean a top-up for unexpected visitors or a gift for someone for whom you’ve forgotten to buy a present.
If it’s a special bottle, head for your local indy, which will be a far more convivial way of spending the morning than battling your way through the supermarket aisles. More likely, however, it’s quantity rather than quality you’re after, or a bottle of port because you never normally buy port.
You probably won’t want to trudge or drive from shop to shop, either. So if, for example, you’re already in Majestic to get the Boumvine wines in my pick below, I’d also be inclined to pick up a couple of bottles of Cordoníu Non Plus Ultra Reserva at £10.99 on the mix-six deal (or £13.99 a bottle, 11.5%), which is a really classy organic cava that’s way cheaper than champagne.
Over at the Co-op, the 2022 JPR Alicante Bouschet Portuguese red (13%) at £6.85 would make a good Christmas all-rounder, though again, if I was already in the store, I’d also snap up the elegant Vergelegen Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2020 (on offer at £8.50, 14%), from South Africa, which knocks spots off a lot of bordeaux at a similar price.
At Tesco, its Finest Pecorino (£7.75, 13%) is an easy-drinking crowdpleaser that would appeal to anyone who likes sauvignon blanc, while at just £4.99 –yes, really – the Barigny Sparkling Brut Blanc de Blancs (11%) would be fine for bucks fizz and other sparkling wine cocktails (though I wouldn’t drink it on its own).
Marks & Spencer is always a good hangout for last-minute gift shopping. I wrote about its premixed cocktails a couple of weeks ago, highlighting the Sloegroni, but M&S also has a stylish range of spirits in its Collection range, including a jersey royal potato vodka (42%) and a gorgeous, rich, spicy Bajan estate rum (40%), both at £30, and a couple of superb whiskies, a Kilchoman Islay malt (46%) at £35 and a Glenfarclas 10-year-old Highland single malt (42.5%) at £40, both of which are brilliant value.
Finally, you’ll almost certainly want an alcohol-free drink that isn’t elderflower cordial – I like the Real Drinks Co’s Real Royal Flush sparkling tea, which you can buy in cans and also in 75cl bottles for £9 from Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Ocado.
Five last-minute buys for Christmas
Boumvine The White and The Red 2023 Both £8.99 (on mix six, or £9.99 by the single bottle) Majestic, 12.5% & 13.5%. Great-value duo from Swartland: a stylish, Rhône-style white and an exuberantly fruity red.
Co-op Fairtrade Chenin Blanc 2023 £5.65 (£5 for members) Co-op, 12%. Cheap-as-chips white for family fridge-raiders.
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Pinot Noir 2021 £10, (on offer), 13.5%. Rich, deep-fruited pinot from the Languedoc at a better-than-burgundy price.
Tesco Finest Signargues Côtes du Rhône Villages 2022 £8.50, 14%. A massively appealing red that I always seem to end up recommending at this time of year. Good enough for the turkey, too.
M&S Collection Late Bottled Vintage Port 2017 £14 (on offer, down from £17), 20%. Classic, warm, brambly port to sip on the sofa.
For more by Fiona Beckett, go to fionabeckett.substack.com
