James Kowszun,
Managing Director:

2015 Barbaresco Rabajà Riserva, Castello di Verduno, Piedmont

Our final day of Christmas wine recommendations, and we’ve saved the best for last: James Kowszun, Lay & Wheeler’s Managing Director. As you may be able to tell from the video, he is an enthusiastic advocate for the wines of Piedmont, and Barbaresco in particular - in this case the 2015 Barbaresco Rabajà Riserva from Castello di Verduno.

Hailing from one of the decade’s standout vintages, Castello di Verduno’s 2015 Rabajà Riserva is an elegant yet powerful expression of this iconic vineyard. Aged for four years, including two years in traditional large oak foudres, this terrific Nebbiolo embodies top-tier Barbaresco with flavours of cinnamon, liquorice, dried red fruits, and ripe, polished tannins.

This is absolutely the perfect pairing for a roast Christmas goose or duck, and at £61 on the table.

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2015 Barbaresco Rabajà Riserva, Castello di Verduno, Piedmont

Previous days....

Day Thirteen Bonus: N/V Lay & Wheeler Champagne Brut by Thiénot

We realised we’d gone through twelve days without a single suggestion from arguably the most festive wine region of all - Champagne. And rather than overthink it, our very own George Randall, Head of Business Development, has opted for a wine so good we put our name on it - N/V Lay & Wheeler Champagne Brut by Thiénot.

This was one of the last wines we added to Our Collection - as the pressure was on to find the perfect Champagne to represent us. We were delighted to finally team with Thiénot - one of our favourite Champagne houses, founded in 1985 by the eponymous family.

It’s a brilliant balance of fresh, zesty elegance from the crisp Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier fruit, along with a beautiful toasty complexity from over four years ageing on lees. Hundreds of bottles will be popped open by Champagne lovers on Christmas day and we will be no exception to that!

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Day Twelve Bonus: Miyagikyo Single Malt, Nikka

Perhaps not a 'wine' as such, but just as important at Christmas! After all the wine is done, it’s hard to argue with a brilliant dram of whisky to either revive you for a last burst of festive energy on the big day, or lull you into a post-prandial snooze. Either way a measure of the Miyagikyo Single Malt will do a fantastic job.

Compared to its Scottish and Irish counterparts, Japanese whisky is a relatively recent creation. But the founder of Nikka Whisky, Masataka Taketsuru, is widely regarded as the ‘Father of Japanese whisky', having learned his craft in Scotland over 100 years ago.

Miyagikyo was the third distillery Masataka built, in the cold North of Japan’s Honshu island, and the resulting whiskies are known for their fruit-forward style with a hint of peat to complement their natural elegance. The whiskies are aged in predominantly sherry casks, so the classic spicy, floral edge of the style shines through.

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Day Twelve: 2022 Mâcon-Chardonnay Clos de la Crochette, Héritiers du Comte Lafon

Dominique Lafon, famed Meursault grower, started to buy land in the Mâcon in the 1990s focusing on high altitude vineyards with good, limestone dominant terroirs and now has 26 Ha across the region. This wine comes from a Clos in the village of Chardonnay (where, you guessed it, the Chardonnay varietal came from) and was tended by the Monks of the Monastery at Cluny.

Dominique and his team have employed all of their wine-making genius with this wine which is so versatile for Christmas and New Year entertaining. Amanda Skinner, our Commercial Strategy Director, has selected this wine (in magnum!) for just that reason - it's a delicious apéritif at 12.5%, great with turkey or a nut roast and then bring it out again to make your ham sing on Boxing Day and, at the end of all your lunches and dinners, serve it with Baron Bigod or any other soft, rinded cheese. It’s a winner and such good value at £54.50 per magnum including duty and VAT.

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Day Eleven: 2017 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Hauts-Lieux, Domaine de la Vieille Julienne

Few wines are more suitable for Christmas than Châteauneuf-du-Pape - with oodles of rich fruit, sweet spice and a lovely savoury edge after seven years of ageing. So Will Hepworth, Fine Wine Advisor on our Suffolk team, has ensured that we have a Châteauneuf-du-Pape in our perfect Christmas line-up: 2017 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Hauts-Lieux from Domaine de la Vieille Julienne.

The domaine has been family owned since 1905, and was an early adopter of biodynamics in 1998, demonstrating the care and attention they afford their vineyards and wines. The Hauts-Lieux cuvée is one of their very top expressions - sought out by fans of the Southern Rhône for its complexity.

Perfect with food, perfect on its own - in Will’s words “a total rockstar of a wine.” Perfect with company, and perfect if you find yourself sneaking off for 5 minutes of calm in a quiet room somewhere… It’s guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.

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Day Ten: 2016 Viña Arana Gran Reserva, La Rioja Alta, Rioja in magnum

Alec Robinson, our Head of Sales for London, knows that its not Christmas without a magnum, and the 2016 Viña Arana Gran Reserva from La Rioja Alta does everything one might hope for in a textbook Rioja - strawberries and cream on the nose, with a sweet spice intensity brought about by the long ageing in American oak casks.

Which is no surprise, as producer La Rioja Alta have been making some of the finest wines in the world since 1890. After being a Reserva wine for decades, recently the team at La Rioja Alta decided that the quality was there in the vineyards for Viña Arana to be upgraded to a Gran Reserva - resulting in more complexity and concentration, but still offering brilliant value for money.

It’s a wine with decades of potential ahead of it, but is absolutely ready to enjoy now - and we know that the chances of survival for the bottles we have tucked away for this Christmas are pretty slim. Certainly Chez Alec, this is going to be a central part of the celebrations.

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Day Nine: 2021 Aristargos, David & Nadia, Swartland

Samantha Bullard, from our Supply Chain team, selected David and Nadia Sadie's 2021 Aristargos as one of the wines she'll be enjoying over Christmas. A vibrant white blend based on old vine Chenin Blanc, Aristargos shines in this cool, balanced vintage that perfectly conveys the restraint and freshness of the Paardeburg’s ancient granite soils. Aromas of yellow apple, orange zest, candle wax and quince unfold into a gastronomic palate of just 13% alcohol.

A brilliant match for roast pork, lobster, or salmon, this evokes the freshness of a white Burgundy with the generosity of top northern Rhône white.

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Day Eight: 2019 Château Amélisse, St.Emilion Grand Cru

The choice of Adrian Heaven, our Head of Sales for Suffolk, this is a pure Merlot wine from the famous Durantou family, who are responsible for some of the Right Bank’s most renowned wines, including Château l’Eglise Clinet.

As with all great Right Bank wines, this is a marriage of hedonism and elegance - all of that soft dark Merlot fruit is well-balanced by a line of fresh acidity, making for a wine that represents the best of both worlds.

From the 2019 vintage, with five years under its belt, it is drinking brilliantly right now and will make a superb match for anything slow-cooked or roasted, and for just £16.50 per bottle.

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Day Seven: 2019 Spätburgunder JS, Jean Stodden, Ahr

Our Buying Assistant, Tom Faulkner, selected the 2019 Spätburgunder JS from Jean Stodden. Silky, refined and oh-so-drinkable, this Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) from Germany’s Ahr Valley is perfect for festive gatherings. With bright raspberry jam and ripe strawberry aromas, a subtle kiss of oak and a velvet texture, it’s more generous and fruit-forward than classic Burgundy but every bit as joyous and moreish.

It’s such a good pairing with roast turkey and all the trimmings you may need more than one bottle!

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Day Six: 2018 Rosé Brut, Rathfinny, Sussex

The jewelled tones of the 2018 Rosé Brut from Rathfinny was the perfect choice for sparkling wine-lover Nicola Kelly, from our Fine Wine Advisory team, and the perfect match for the glamour and sparkle of Christmas festivities.

There’s a delicious toasty complexity at play on the palate, and a very long finish: a wine not to be missed. It will work on its own as an aperitif, or pair beautifully with canapes and smoked salmon. Besides the beautiful pink colour, there are notes of Seville oranges, wild strawberries and candied mandarin zest - dare we say Christmas in a champagne glass!

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Day Five: N/V Fino Sherry, El Maestro Sierra, Jerez

For Alice Cave, Lay & Wheeler Sales Director, a half-bottle of Fino from the incredible women behind Bodega El Maestro Sierra is the perfect fit for Christmas. A pure expression of Jerez, it’s brimming with flavours of almonds, bread dough and Maldon salt. Whether you need something to whet the appetite, cleanse the palate or keep the busy cook cheerful, this brilliant Fino always delivers.

Serve it well-chilled in proper wine glasses to savour its full complexity, it’s perfection with salted Marcona almonds.

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Day Four: 2018 Château Branas Grand Poujeaux, Moulis-en-Médoc

The choice of Rosie Emms from our Fine Wine Advisory team, this is a brilliant Bordeaux and one that makes for perfect Sunday (or Christmas!) lunch drinking.

We’re huge fans of Branas Grand Poujeaux here at Lay & Wheeler, and the Château is swiftly gaining a reputation as something of a hidden gem. This is drinking perfectly now - ripe fruit and a gentle savoury character mean it’s a brilliant pairing for all manner of festive fare, though if you were to sit back with a bottle on its own after the feasting is done, we certainly wouldn’t judge!

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Day Three: 2021 Bourgogne Côte d'Or Chardonnay, Michel Bouzereau

Long-standing member of our Fine Wine Trading team, Sam Cunliffe, selected this top-notch white Burgundy from Michel Bouzereau, drinking well now and very palatable on the pocket.

It’s a delicious start to any party as welcome drinks, and it pairs beautifully with seafood and of course turkey! Leave this a little time to open up and it really sings.

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Day Two: 2018 Nuits-St-Georges 1er Cru Les Pruliers, Jean Grivot

This was the choice of our Burgundy Buyer, Jemma Grant who says "a glass of 2018 Nuits-St-Georges 1er Cru Les Pruliers by Jean Grivot is the perfect wine to elevate your Christmas celebrations."

With notes of baked earth, dark fruit and beautiful definition and silkiness on the finish, it’s the ideal match for roast turkey and all the trimmings! Equally wonderful with creamy cheese, pâté and a charcuterie board, this is the most excellent drop for the festive season.

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Day One: 2016 Lay & Wheeler Sauternes by Château Suduiraut

The choice of Amanda Skinner, our Commercial Strategy Director - the ultimate wine to complete and complement all your celebrations – a glass of Lay & Wheeler Sauternes 2016, made for us by the great 1er Cru Classé Château Suduiraut.

Don’t just think pudding with this wine, it’s wonderful with blue cheese so it is undoubtedly a match made in heaven drunk with Cropwell Bishop Stilton. It also goes beautifully with Serrano Ham, lobster and other shellfish.

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