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01
Dec 2021
Ripon wine experts share top picks for your Christmas gifts and pairings
This article is sponsored by Yorkshire Vintners.
As the festive season draws closer, you might find yourself wondering what to gift that awkward relative - or even how to impress your in-laws with the 'correct' wine for each course of your Christmas dinner. Ripon-based wine merchant, Yorkshire Vintners, is here to help ease that stress.
Since launching over a decade ago, Yorkshire Vintners has been supplying Michelin Star restaurants, pubs, bars, hotels and event venues with wine and spirits. The experienced team offers a professional, knowledgeable, and friendly service at the store on Ripon Business Park - with free off-street parking and even a tasting room!
Yorkshire Vintners is now open every Saturday until Christmas, giving you even more chance to discover your new favourite drink. Saturday shoppers will also receive a complimentary glass of mulled wine.
With over 1000 wines and spirits on offer, there's a lot to choose from - so here are Yorkshire Vintners' top Christmas picks.
Christmas Wine Cases
From £95 for six bottles
Sorting out Christmas food is stressful enough; ditch the hassle of also picking your tipple with an expertly curated Yorkshire Vintners Christmas wine case.
Each case contains six bottles of either red or white wine from around the world, and a tasting sheet with great Christmas food pairing suggestions.
With three price levels of cases, each made up of six bottles, you'll be free to enjoy your celebrations. Prices are £60 for an Everyday case, £95 for the Discovery case, or £150 for the Classic Christmas case.
Within the Red Discovery case, you'll find the Queulat Cinsault Gran Reserva 2016 Ventisquero, with aromas of wild berries and spices, which is delicious with roasted turkey.
Or if you prefer a white wine, why not pair your cheeseboard with the White Discovery case's Riesling 'Riverbank' Wente Vinyards, USA dry white wine, which features fresh aromatics of pear and honeysuckle.
Order your Christmas wine case here.
Nyetimber
From £29 for a classic cuvee bottle
The full range of Nyetimber English sparkling wine is available at Yorkshire Vintners. Situated in the rural heart of the South of England, Nyetimber uses only the finest estate-grown fruit to craft these award-winning, world-renowned wines.
Classic Cuvee, Nyetimber's signature wine, is a classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier and offers a balance of elegance and intensity. It's perfect when paired with delicious seafood, especially smoked salmon or scallops.
When you buy six bottles of Nyetimber (including mixed cases), you'll receive a free Nyetimber ice bucket.
Order the Nyetimber Classic Cuvee here.
Maple Falls Mulled Wine
£4.95 per bottle, or a case of six for £27
This aromatic, fruity and spicy mulled wine is rich in orange, lemon and hints of red berry fruits balanced with traditional spice aromas of nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon. It's a Christmas classic that's delicious served warm for a traditional mulled wine infusion, or cold as an ideal base for seasonal punch.
Top tip: pour a few bottles into a slow cooker, add some halved oranges with cloves pushed into the skin, some cinnamon sticks, rosemary, and a dash of fresh orange juice. Leave to slowly heat up (making sure not to boil), then ladle into glasses or mugs and enjoy on a cold evening.
Order the Maple Falls mulled wine here.
Spirit of Yorkshire Cream Liqueur
£29 per bottle
As a rich, luxurious, and warming, award-winning Cream Liqueur, this is a fantastic local alternative to Baileys.
Yorkshire single malt whisky and single malt spirit (made with 100% homegrown barley) have been gently married together with the richest dairy cream to create a beautifully balanced and complex cream liqueur of exceptional quality and flavour.
It's best enjoyed on its own, either straight-up or over ice - so simply pour generously. The stunning bottle also makes it a fantastic Christmas gift.
Order Spirit of Yorkshire's cream liqueur here.
Graham's Tawny Port
From £7.50 for a 200ml bottle
With its nutty character and fruity bouquet, tawny port is a fabulous pairing for dark chocolate, fruit cake, or sweet deserts like apple pie or creme brûlée. In the 200ml size, prices start at £7.50 for the 10-year-old, £10.50 for the 20-year-old, or £16.50 for a 30-year-old. For a perfect present, try the gift set which includes one of each age at the discounted price of £32. If you really want to impress, there's also a 4.5litre bottle of Graham's 10-year-old Tawny port in a wooden box, priced at £235.
Discover Yorkshire Vintners' range of Graham's Tawny Port here.
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