WINE AT CHRISTMAS: THE BEST INTERNATIONAL LABELS TO GIVE AS GIFTS

Behind the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping lies the desire to make every gesture special, to bring a smile to a loved one's face. What could be better than a good bottle of wine at Christmas to communicate affection and closeness? With its centuries of traditions, this product tells stories of dedication and passion, ending up being no longer just a material gift, but an elegant and refined experience to share with others.

The time has come to say goodbye to gift indecision: here are the best international wines for Christmas!

Red wines for Christmas: Svinando's international selection

Although there are differences and peculiarities from one label to the next, red wines are known and appreciated for their robust aromas, fruity bouquet and tannic profile that goes well with full-bodied dishes. Here are the best international red wines that deserve to be found under the Tree!

Bourgogne Rouge "Aux Seurrets" 2022

France plays at home when it comes to offering red wines of great value. Historical and geographical factors have in fact favoured the production of excellent labels that have conquered the international wine scene and won over wine lovers.

An excellent gift idea is therefore a bottle of Bourgogne Rouge 'Aux Seurrets' 2022, produced by expert hands in the Auxey-Duresses area. The bewitching traits of Pinot Noir are enhanced here to give life to a wine with an intense red colour and a full-bodied organoleptic charge, mixing notes of cherry and cocoa. In the mouth, it is balanced and elegant, structured and with biting tannins, perfect for festive meat menus, from roast duck to roast beef with potatoes, from savoury meat peas to game dishes.

'BIN 128' Coonawarra Shiraz 2019

Australia has only recently gained some fame as a wine producer, but it has done so with labels that have managed to carve out a prominent place for themselves on the international scene. For those who want to give wine at Christmas without offering something already seen, these are the perfect gift!

It is worth, for example, unwrapping and uncorking a bottle of 'BIN 128' Coonawarra Shiraz 2019, made from 100% Shiraz grapes in a sunny terroir that favoured the ripening of the grapes. The vibrant power of the region is reflected in the traits of this great wine, first and foremost in its plum red colour, but also in its aromatic charge. The notes that emerge most strongly are the fruity notes of blackberry and loganberry, with a hint of mulberry blossom that creates a subtle olfactory harmony. Secondary scents include hints of herbs, cedar and wood.

On the palate, it is equally fruity, with a vanilla tone counterbalanced by an acidulous and spicy taste. The soft tannins and good freshness are ideal for softening the more biting hints of red meats typical of the festive season, successfully accompanying even the mature cheeses that can enrich the table during Christmas lunches.

Wine gift ideas: the best white wines for Christmas

More versatile and fresh - but no less elegant - are the white wines, products that emphasise lively mineral and acidic tones to give the palate a carefree moment.

 'Maia' Vermentino di Gallura Superiore DOCG 2022

From the granite-rich soils of Sardinia, comes a fresh, mineral wine with outstanding versatility, 'Maia' Vermentino di Gallura Superiore DOCG 2022.

Characterised by a refined intense straw yellow colour, this wine blends a harmony of fruity and floral scents in the glass, making yellow-fleshed fruit the absolute star of the olfactory examination. The taste, on the other hand, reveals a surprising savouriness and an almondy aftertaste that enriches the experience.

Excellent to sip at the opening of Christmas lunch or dinner, Vermentino is the ideal companion for fish aperitifs, such as the iconic salmon or smoked eel crostini, shrimp cocktails, scallops au gratin or sautéed, fish pâté or a simple but delicious mixed fry.

'Kaseler Nies'chen' Riesling Spätlese Ruwer 2021

Germany does not back down when it is time to offer a good Christmas wine, thanks to its 'Kaseler Nies'chen' Riesling Spätlese Ruwer 2021, a product that focuses on aromatic complexity, to astonish, captivate and conquer the senses of consumers.

The credit for this organoleptic power goes to the Riesling variety, here used purely and skilfully to give the product its typical hints of peach, apricot and cassis, with glazed notes that do not leave one indifferent. The softness of the flavour is counterbalanced to perfection by fresh, mineral notes, which call for an appropriate pairing.

This wine goes particularly well with mature, hard or soft cheeses such as Cheshire, Cheddar or Stilton. For a less traditional, but very tasty Christmas, it can also be paired with ethnic, tasty, spicy recipes.

The best Christmas sweet and sparkling wines

Christmas is first and foremost a festive season, and as such should be celebrated in a jovial and carefree mood. The best wines to give as gifts in this context? Bubbles and sweet wines, of course!

Magnum "Grande Cuvée Bellavista Alma" Franciacorta DOCG Brut Coffret

There is a reason why Franciacorta is considered to be the king of Italian sparkling wines: the care taken in the production of this Metodo Classico gives rise to a product of great value, with a perfumed effervescence and a refreshing taste that captivates the senses and is suitable for many courses, with extraordinary versatility.

This is the case with the Magnum 'Grande Cuvée Bellavista Alma' Franciacorta DOCG Brut Coffret, an unmissable gift for the undecided, as it goes well with the whole meal.

It can be served with hors d'oeuvres and finger food, or enjoyed with vegetable or chicken pies, or even with fish main courses. 

On the nose, it is recognisable for its notes of ripe fruit and flowers, with hints of vanilla and pastries. In the mouth it balances savouriness, freshness and aromaticity very well, with a long finish that leaves the palate satisfied.

Sauternes-Barsac Premier Cru Classé 2020

After a sumptuous feast of stews, casseroles, roasts and finger food of all kinds, the palate needs a soft pampering, something to serve as a backdrop to the last chatter of the feast or to accompany a Christmas dessert.

Ideal for chocolate or fruit cakes, dried fruit biscuits, puddings or the ever-present gingerbread biscuits, a Sauternes-Barsac Premier Cru Classé 2020 is perfect. This sweet French wine is anything but ordinary, characterised by a beautiful golden colour and a bouquet that smells of citrus, exotic fruit, peach, flowers and vanilla, as well as a scent reminiscent of the fragrance of brioche. In the mouth, it is soft, enveloping and robust, with a remarkable sweetness, but well balanced so as not to be cloying on the palate.

Time to tick a few items off your gift list: explore the Svinando catalogue for a carefree Christmas!