Joe Fattorini suggests, The best wines to drink with Christmas lunch, received from Saga, 2025 12 15

[Colin Howard]

Greetings,

I like the choice, but I've a list of 27 wines from which to choose,
purchased from Pieroth Wines, must admit to not having all of these at the
moment also, I tend to go mainly for the medium-to-sweet and German wines, I
will add my own wine list to the end of the article.

I have to be extremely careful being type 2 diabetic, this means these wines
are mostly shared, if I am alone, taken occasionly, for instance, I have a
bottle of 25 opened must be a good five or so months ago, plan to have a
glass probably over the Festive holiday.

It's the most important meal of the year, but what's the perfect wine to
accompany it? We have the answer.
By Joe Fattorini | Published - 8 Dec 2025

My top wine tip for Christmas lunch is this: match the wine to the
accoutrements, not the bird, because the biggest flavours on your table aren't
the turkey. They're the pigs in blankets, gravy, cranberry sauce and
peppery, herby stuffing.

A touch of oak is definitely needed to complement that stuffing, but also
plenty of fruit for the richer, saltier, smokier flavours. And those are
just the characteristics you get in The Black Pig The Prize Chardonnay 2024
(£12.99). At this price, it's an absolute steal - an award-winning wine that's
worth three times that amount with a beautiful balance of fresh, citrus
fruit and light hazelnut richness.

When it comes to picking the perfect red, it's tricky as everyone has
different preferences. With a myriad of different palates at one table, you
want something everyone will enjoy. My pick is Iona Elgin Pinot Noir 2022
(£24.99) from South Africa, a country that blends new world fruit with old
world elegance. This wine is stylish, elegant and succulent, with hints of
cranberry and subtle spice. A delicious Christmas wine I reckon everyone
will love.

Now, if you can't indulge yourself at Christmas, when can you? Which is why
my Christmas will be featuring a bottle of Chambers Rosewood Rutherglen
Muscat NV (£19.99 per half-bottle). It's a wine that goes amazingly with
Christmas pudding because it actually tastes of Christmas pudding, with
flavours of raisins, treacle and nuts.

While we're at it, let's not forget the Christmas cheese board. Even better
than a red wine to complement the savoury tang of Stilton is the sweetness
of port. Especially the nuttier, complex flavours of Fonseca 10 Year Old
Tawny - 50cl NV (£24.99). As a bonus, this is one of very few wines that
goes fabulously with chocolate.

By Christmas evening, there's a lot to digest, so it's time for a digestif.
I love a small glass of Green Chartreuse (£52.79) to remember my
grandfather - this was the very last thing we drank together. It's also
fabulous with tonic if you need a reviver.

I'll also have a bottle of Bepi Tosolini Amaretto Saliza (£29.49) on hand
for those who love something sweet and enveloping.

And Cazcabel Coffee Tequila Liqueur (£27.49) is the perfect ingredient in an
espresso martini - and who doesn't love one of those?
Written by: Joe Fattorini

Joe Fattorini is a British radio and television presenter, wine expert and
sommelier. He's known to millions around the world as "Obi Wine Kenobi" the
expert presenter on The Wine Show.

************
Here is my wine list starting with their contact details, I will comment on
those I particularly enjoy and one or two I didn't after the relevant
description.

07515970454.

http://www.pieroth.co.uk

1 - Rose, 10.5%, D'Anjou, medium-sweet and fruity.
Yes, extremely pleasant.

2 - White, 8.5%, Scheureve Kabinett, medium-sweet.
Nice.

3 - White, Riesling, 9%, Binger Bubenstuck Spatnese, sweet.
Extremely pleasant, could have drunken more than one bottle in a session.

4 - White, 10%, Feher Arany, Musket grape late harvest from hungary, sweet.
Yes, lovely!

5 - Red, 10.5%, Mundana, grape is Bnaufranisch, from Hungary, sweet, can be
chilled.
Yes, extremely moreish!

6 - Red, 11.5%, Juminna Monastrell, Spannish, late harvest, sweet.
Yes, very pleasant but not too much per session.

7 - Red, 11%, Chevalier de Bayard, from the Aude Valley in France, soft,
fruity, reckonned to taste of ripe cherries, goes well with buffet foods.
So So! not sure I want any more.

8 -Rose, 9.5%, Kedvenc Merlowe grape, from Hungary, reckonned to have a
sweet, ripe, berry fruit flavour.
OK, rather like 7 above.

9 - White, 10%, Biengerbrucker Romerberg, Riesling Spatlese, reckonned to
have an apple flavour medium-sweet, goes well with white meats or fish or in
the garden on it's own.
Slightly fizzy but ok.

10 - Red, 9.5%, Murdei Hungarian late harvest Cabernet and Merlot full ripe
sweet berry flavour.
Yes, pleasant enough.

11 - Rose, 11% Etschtaler Italian from Bolzano region, medium fresh flavour.
Virging on medium-dry, ok, not sure I want any more.

12 - White, 10% Oberhauser Felsenberg Auslese Kerner, German, golden October
picking, sweet with tropical tones.
Extremely refreshing, lovely flavour, highly recommended.

13 - Flamoyanch Of Flamingo rose australia, 7.5% fruity Frizzante ripe
strawburies and cherries candy floss aroma, sweet with slight fizz.
Of all the wines to date, this is by far and away my favourite, not
over-sweet, nor over-strong, but the slight fizz makes it most enjoyable, I
have a few bottles left more than any of the others.

14 Guldentaler Auslese, using fruit selected from the October harvest, this
offers ripe sweetness on the palate and a bouquet of honeyed fruits.
Produced with the Pinot blanc, best served with cheeses, desserts and fruit.
10.5% alcohol.
Lovely! could drink more!

15 Volxheimer Spatlese, sweet late harvested Silvaner grapes give this wine
flavours and aromas of pears and honeydew melon. Specially labelled to
celebrate 250th Birthday of Beethoven. Great with spicy food, pates, fresh
fruit or anytime drinking. 9.5% alcohol.
A lovely German wine, extremely drinkable, fresh flavour.

16 Brownie liqueur, Intense chocolate with a delicate and creamy touch of
vanilla. True indulgence, perfect over ice, in cocktails or in coffee. Great
as an after dinner drink or with puddings. Nice warmth from the 17% alcohol.
Not tried this, only have a couple of bottles.

17 Winzerkaffe, also known as winemakers coffee, this coffee cream liqueur
consists of Arabica coffee flavours complimented by a silky, creamy finish.
17% alcohol.
Not tried this, only have a couple of bottles.

18 Grimont Cape Vintage, South African Port, rich chocolate and coffee
notes. A nice way to finish the evening. 19.5% Alcohol.
Not tried this, only have a couple of bottles, is the highest ABV I have.

19 Reciente Rose, Spanish rose with sum guts. Full fruity flavour and nice
texture. Warming bite of alcohol and a balanced acidity. A unique blend of
merlot and shiraz grapes. Nice with light main courses, grilled chicken and
fish, or simply on its own on a warm afternoon. 11.5% Alcohol.
Very pleasant, highly drinkable.

20 White - Bretzenheimer Spatlese 2016, Germany, sweet white wine with
flavours and aromas of pears and ripe honeydew melons. Perfectly balanced by
a fresh acidity, a great accompaniment to fresh fruit especially Bavarian
apple tart. 10% Alcohol
Another lovely German wine, could drink this any time!

21 Rose - Wertheimer Tauberklinge 2019, produced with the Pinot Meunier
grape, known in Germany as the Schwarzriesling. With a beautiful bouquet of
juicy strawberries, cherries and ripe raspberries its simply summer in the
glass. 11% alcohol.
Another lovely German wine, very refreshing.

22 Red - Cagnina di Romagna, 2020, From Emilia - Romagna, one of Italy's
oldest wine regions. A soft sweet red wine that is low in alcohol and
acidity. Made with the Terrano grape. Fermentation is stopped earlier to
preserve the natural sweetness. 9% Alcohol
Low in alcohol? 9%ABV? was extremely pleasant but I wouldn't say it was low
alcohol!

23 White Eiswein - Ockenheimer St. Rochuskappelle 2016, Rheinhessen,
Germany. 6.5% Alcohol. Eiswein is made from the juice of grapes frozen on
the vine. In Germany the temperature must be at least eight degrees
centigrade below freezing, this is a strict requirement to gain Eiswein
status. Glorious fruity tones which jump out of the glass. Tastes of extra
ripe mango, lychee, and honey. Sensational long lingering finish and acidity
to compliment rich creamy desserts, baklawa or a great aperitif on its own.
Another stunning German wine, extremely drinkable, could manage probably
about five large glasses in one session.

24 Red Eiswein - Icecrystal , 2020, Produced In Hajos district in Southern
Hungary. 9.5% Alcohol. These Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are harvested whilst
frozen at the very end of the season which ensures the natural fruit sugars
are at their most concentrated. The wine shines ion the glass with a deep
red colour presenting appetizing aromas of cherry and honey with a hint of
marzipan. Great with cheeses or fruit desserts. Equally delicious at the end
of a meal.
This Hungarian wine is extremely drinkable, very refreshing, could enjoy
more.

25 Jumilla Rosado, 12% A B V, Produced using the Monastrell grape also known
as Mourvedre. This is a full bodied velvety rose wine. The fragrance is of
ripe red fruits like raspberries, strawberries and cherries. The taste is
well balanced with an initial freshness and very fine fruit sweetness, which
lets the wine finish gently and charmingly.
Yes, extremely pleasant, not sure I want much of this though.

26 - Parliament of Owls Frizzante 7%, - Fresh aromas of peach, pear and
honey beguile the nose, while rich sweet melon, fresh fig and apricot
delight the palate. Blending together Sauvignon-Blanc, Ugni Blanc and
Chardonnay our expert Hunter Valley winemakers have kept the fermentation
process brief, resulting in a wine which retains its fresh fruit character
and residual sugars. You will immediately notice the difference between this
'Frizzante' with its natural fruity nature and sparkle and off the shelf
wines which have been sweetened and artificially carbonated.
Another version of 13 above, yes, pleasant but I prefer 13.

27 - Murder of Crows - 13%, This wine has a delicate soft tannin structure
with concentrated flavours and aromas of blackberry, plum, black cherry,
chocolate, espresso and black pepper which are all complemented by a hint of
vanilla spice from the oak aging. A wine to be enjoyed now, served with
traditional beef dishes, rack of lamb with roasted vegetables or a decent
aged cheddar. A rich medium-bodied Australian Shiraz made in a traditional
'hermitage' style that appeals to all wine lovers.
I did not like this much, of all the wines in my list, proves to be my least
favourite.

Colin Howard, Southern England.