Merry Vivino Christmas Holiday Guide

I was asked at the beginning of the month to submit some words about my favourite holiday wines for Vivino the "no1 wine app, trusted by over 11 million wine drinkers worldwide". So, keen to share the festive delights I submitted five recommendations. I found out this morning that 2 had been chosen. I am very happy to hear that my recommendations were chosen and I hope that the users find the recommendations useful and are inspired to buy some of these fantastic wines. I am certainly tempted by others' reviews. The Minervois featured is actually the Cuvée Cantilène but is unfortunately currently out of stock. However their other ranges of wine are also great. You can find them here at the Vivino website, be sure to click on the UK snow globe!

I do also have 3 other recommendations which weren't published with links for where to buy, and I am going to share them here:


Bodegas Hidalgo, La Gitana Manzanilla
The perfect pairing wine. This white dry fino style sherry has flavours and aromas of bruised apple, soy, almonds and dough with a salty tang. A lovely complexity due to the lengthy aging under a layer of yeast. This wine has a light yet lingering finish. A perfect companion to toasted almonds for an aperitif, crusty bread turkey & leftover sandwiches yet also fab with festive canapés like smoked salmon blinis!

Apogee Brut Tasmanian Sparkling
A stunning vintage dry sparkling. A gift that is a great talking point too! Who knew that Tasmania produced some of the best sparkling white wines in the world? A blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay matching the best efforts of Champagne and made in the same traditional way. Wonderful brioche and fruity notes with a delicate mousse and beautiful refreshing crispness. A wine that will definitely ensure that  the holiday celebrations start with a bang! Currently out of stock, but here is a good and similar alternative.


Coteaux du Layon
A naturally sweet wine made from Chenin Blanc in the Loire Valley. The grapes undergo botrytis (noble rot) which gives the wine an intense concentrated sweetness which delivers phenomenal multi-layered flavours of apricot, acacia honey, preserved lime and tropical fruits. This wine has a lingering, almost never ending length with a surprising freshness. Superb with blue cheese and liver pates but also great with any fruity dessert. A stylish wine for a stylish occasion.  Any on the site would be fantastic!

I shall be posting soon some of the deep discounter great value festive wines I have found so please check back soon. Cheers!