Last minute bottles for Christmas

I don't know about you, but my idea of hell is to go shopping on Christmas Eve, and if I do, it's probably because that I forgot the germs that sauvignon blanc. Be realistic, though: chances are your loved ones have already gotten you drunk outside the house and house, you suddenly got extra butt on the seats, or you forgot a last-minute gift. and a sleek bottle will save you your blushes.
You may be so frazzled that a trip to the supermarket seems the only option (you can pick up those germs at the same time ), but if you really want to have fun and talk to a real living human being, may I suggest you spend a good half hour at your nearest bottle shop / winery / brewery / distillery or wherever where you can support a local producer? And, for starters, how about a bottle of English bubbly instead of champagne?
You're also unlikely to have time to go to the bargain hunting, so let me give you a few pointers. Bordeaux first. Not everything is expensive, as you can see from Asda's recommendation in today's pick, but, again, if you're going to have a blast on a margaux, say, try spending it on a indie. Anything from the southern Rhône is good with turkey, as are Malbec, Zinfandel and Shiraz. After all, Christmas wine doesn't have to be French.
Magnums still look festive, but are less good for whites or rosés, because the refrigerator is already susceptible to being hit. So on the red side, Marks & Spencer has the lovely, mellow Lomas del Marqués Rioja Reserva 2016 (14%) in its 'classics' range for £17, which equates to a very affordable £8.50 a bottle. (Don't go for M&S's magnum Chateauneuf, though, which is considerably more expensive and not as good.)
Out of sparkling? Don't overlook cava, which is generally cheaper and drier than prosecco – the Lidl Arestel in today's pick is a particular steal. You may also have totally forgotten about the non-drinkers at your party, but they won't thank you for pouring them elderflower cordial in mid-December, so lay back on some Belvoir Mulled Winter Punch (largely available from around £2.70 for 750ml).
How about treating yourself too? Is there a guilty pleasure that you enjoy that the rest of the family is a little sniffling about? Yes, I'm thinking cream liqueurs or rather, if you're vegan, non-dairy ones like Waitrose's Amarula Vegan Liqueur (£15, 15.5%). Vegan and liquor aren't words you normally find in the same sentence, but this one's actually pretty good.
Five last-minute bottles that'll save your bacon
Arestel Cava €5.49 Lidl, 11.5%. Perfect for an impromptu Boxing Day or New Years brunch.
Marqués de los Zancos Rioja Blanco 2021 £5 Tesco, 12.5%. Refrigerator cleaned by the offspring at home for the holidays? Stock up on this crisp, clean, lemony white.
Zarper Malbec Gran Reserva 2021 £7 Morrisons, 14.5%. A crowd-pleasing everyday Christmas red at a bargain price.
Asda Extra Special Château Leboscq Médoc 2016 £13, 13.5%. Need a bottle to bring to the in-laws (especially if they're cooking a wellington)? This sweet, plummy burgundy should do the trick.
Belvoir Farm Festive Edition Mulled Winter Punch £2.70 Sainsbury's. Good alternative to mulled wine for non-drinkers to accompany mince pies on Christmas Eve.

Food & Recipes Dec 23, 2022 0 37 Add to Reading List

I don't know about you, but my idea of hell is to go shopping on Christmas Eve, and if I do, it's probably because that I forgot the germs that sauvignon blanc. Be realistic, though: chances are your loved ones have already gotten you drunk outside the house and house, you suddenly got extra butt on the seats, or you forgot a last-minute gift. and a sleek bottle will save you your blushes.

You may be so frazzled that a trip to the supermarket seems the only option (you can pick up those germs at the same time ), but if you really want to have fun and talk to a real living human being, may I suggest you spend a good half hour at your nearest bottle shop / winery / brewery / distillery or wherever where you can support a local producer? And, for starters, how about a bottle of English bubbly instead of champagne?

You're also unlikely to have time to go to the bargain hunting, so let me give you a few pointers. Bordeaux first. Not everything is expensive, as you can see from Asda's recommendation in today's pick, but, again, if you're going to have a blast on a margaux, say, try spending it on a indie. Anything from the southern Rhône is good with turkey, as are Malbec, Zinfandel and Shiraz. After all, Christmas wine doesn't have to be French.

Magnums still look festive, but are less good for whites or rosés, because the refrigerator is already susceptible to being hit. So on the red side, Marks & Spencer has the lovely, mellow Lomas del Marqués Rioja Reserva 2016 (14%) in its 'classics' range for £17, which equates to a very affordable £8.50 a bottle. (Don't go for M&S's magnum Chateauneuf, though, which is considerably more expensive and not as good.)

Out of sparkling? Don't overlook cava, which is generally cheaper and drier than prosecco – the Lidl Arestel in today's pick is a particular steal. You may also have totally forgotten about the non-drinkers at your party, but they won't thank you for pouring them elderflower cordial in mid-December, so lay back on some Belvoir Mulled Winter Punch (largely available from around £2.70 for 750ml).

How about treating yourself too? Is there a guilty pleasure that you enjoy that the rest of the family is a little sniffling about? Yes, I'm thinking cream liqueurs or rather, if you're vegan, non-dairy ones like Waitrose's Amarula Vegan Liqueur (£15, 15.5%). Vegan and liquor aren't words you normally find in the same sentence, but this one's actually pretty good.

Five last-minute bottles that'll save your bacon

Arestel Cava €5.49 Lidl, 11.5%. Perfect for an impromptu Boxing Day or New Years brunch.

Marqués de los Zancos Rioja Blanco 2021 £5 Tesco, 12.5%. Refrigerator cleaned by the offspring at home for the holidays? Stock up on this crisp, clean, lemony white.

Zarper Malbec Gran Reserva 2021 £7 Morrisons, 14.5%. A crowd-pleasing everyday Christmas red at a bargain price.

Asda Extra Special Château Leboscq Médoc 2016 £13, 13.5%. Need a bottle to bring to the in-laws (especially if they're cooking a wellington)? This sweet, plummy burgundy should do the trick.

Belvoir Farm Festive Edition Mulled Winter Punch £2.70 Sainsbury's. Good alternative to mulled wine for non-drinkers to accompany mince pies on Christmas Eve.