Struggling to choose the wines for this year’s festive or New Year celebrations? Editor Trudi Brewer shares options that will give you that entertaining edge.
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Of course, nothing says celebrate like a glass of luxe-y champagne, and this beauty lives up to its reputation for being fit for any festive table. It helps that its bottle is the colour of Christmas. As one of the oldest and most respected Champagne houses, it’s also the most awarded - not to mention the official Champagne of the Oscars. It has a spicy and fruity aroma of crisp apple and zesty pear - perfection.
Graze with: Cheese lovers; this is the perfect aperitif. It pairs well with pear and blue cheese or fig and goat cheese.
Dine with: This is the ideal champagne to serve with any seafood menu or with your favourite sweet treat.
Champange lovers pursuing the perfect bottle of bubbles say Pol Roger is creamy, with classic character and charm. Finely balanced, this champagne ages well like any iconic beauty thanks to its heritage of using premium grapes. It has a tart green apple bite with delicious hints of brioche and honey. It’s a royal favourite, served at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle - lovers of Pol Roger say it should be consumed passionately in the company of people you love.
Graze with: Salty nuts, especially almonds.
Dine with: Turkey or chicken and all the trimmings, pea, and parmesan risotto.
This Italian Prosecco is both affordable and addictive. It’s a brilliant choice for any celebration and will help elevate your festive table without breaking the bank. Experts say the fruity blast evokes peach and green apple on the nose, and it should be served cold as an aperitif before you tuck into your festive dinner.
Graze with: Handfuls of salty nuts, including cashews, almonds, and macadamias.
Dine with: Citrus tart, or fruit sorbets, and gelato.
A Chardonnay connoisseur close to BeautyEQ believes her love of this white wine is all about how it tastes. “It’s big and robust and creamy and full. Other white wines can feel thin and grassy in comparison. Nothing beats that first sip of a lightly chilled, generous, buttery Chardonnay - and the next sip, and the next sip.” This stunner embodies everything we love about this full-bodied wine variety. It has aromas of white peaches, grapefruit, hints of sweet spices, vanilla, and toasted nuts. The oak flavours in this Hawkes Bay 2023 beauty are superb.
Graze with: A tasty cheddar or sweet treat.
Dine with: Roast chicken or seafood.
This delicate French rosè is bang on trend and perfect for any summer soirée. Rosè is the wine of choice at BeautyEQ, and this lovely pink was created to reflect the warmth and aromas of the Mediterranean. Crammed with the scent of berries, citrus, and sun-soaked honeysuckle, it is beautifully pale and endlessly crisp on the palate.
Graze with: Cheese and nutty crackers.
Dine with: Chicken or shellfish.
Rockburn Stolen Kiss, $30.
If you like a full-bodied rosè that ticks every box, this one is for you. It is made with stunning Central Otagos pinot noir grapes, rich in colour and fresh on the palate. Think summer fruits; the moment you pour it into a glass, the winemaker says: It has an aroma of candy floss and creme-brulee with strawberry smeared in cherry lipgloss. Best served well chilled - it also comes with a warning: you will need more than one bottle to enjoy on an afternoon with friends. Like its name, it’s unforgettable.
Graze with: Salmon or a casual picnic.
Dine with: Grilled prawns and a crisp green salad.
For any summer soiree.