Early Christmas gifting works best when the gifts are chosen with time to spare. Start early and you get more choice, calmer shopping and the chance to find a bottle that really suits the person. This month at Wine Rack we have bottles worth giving and worth keeping, from celebrated Champagne houses to Speyside single malts, plus a warming cocktail to make at home.
Whether you are buying for a whisky lover, a Champagne devotee or a Secret Santa, here is where to begin.
Three bottles stand out this month. Each is good enough to give and generous enough to enjoy at home.
For the whisky drinker, Speyside offers some of the most approachable styles. Tamnavulin comes in two expressions, Sherry Cask and Double Cask, and both are £24.99 for 70cl, down from £25.99. Sherry-influenced oak typically brings soft dried fruit and gentle spice, which makes them a gentle first step for anyone new to single malt.
For something with more heritage, Glenlivet Founders Reserve 70cl is £29.99, down from £32.99. The Glenlivet has been distilling in Speyside since 1824, and this is a smooth, fruity introduction to the house style.
A bottle of Champagne says Christmas like nothing else, and this month the prices make it a very good time to buy. Laurent-Perrier, a house with roots going back to 1812, has Harmony 75cl at £41.99, down from £57.49.
Bollinger, based in Aÿ in the heart of Champagne, is the choice for those who want real character in the glass. Special Cuvée, the house’s non-vintage flagship, comes in two sizes. The 37.5cl half bottle is £27.99, down from £35.99, and is ideal as a smaller gift or a toast for two. The full 75cl is £47.99, down from £67.99. For a rosé Christmas, Bollinger Rosé 75cl is £57.99, down from £74.99.
Serve Champagne chilled but not ice cold, and give the bottle a few hours in the fridge before you open it.
Good bottles deserve good food. Open with Champagne and smoked salmon blinis, or simply a bowl of salted nuts, and let the bubbles do the talking. Bollinger Rosé is wonderfully versatile and a lovely match for glazed ham or roast turkey. Left Field Malbec suits a Sunday roast of beef, and Asahi pairs well with a Boxing Day sandwich of cold turkey and cranberry. After dinner, pour a Speyside single malt alongside a cheeseboard or a square of dark chocolate.
Little touches matter too. Chill white and sparkling wines in good time, open red wine half an hour before you serve it, and keep a jug of water on the table.
A little thought goes a long way. Pair a bottle of Champagne with a set of flutes, or a single malt with a bar of good dark chocolate. A half bottle of Bollinger Special Cuvée makes a generous thank-you for a neighbour or colleague, and a bottle chosen for someone’s taste always beats a bottle chosen for its label. If you are unsure, ask in store. Our teams are always happy to help you choose, and early in the season there is plenty of time to swap, wrap and plan.
Small gifts often make the biggest smiles. Our 5cl miniatures make brilliant stocking fillers and Secret Santa presents, and you do not need to choose just one. Each is a perfect size for a stocking, a card or a gift bag. Slip one into a card, or build a small trio for a friend who loves to try something new. Look out for Glen Moray, Baileys, Jameson, Kraken, Gordon’s Pink Gin, Captain Morgan Spiced and Cointreau. Check our offers page for the current miniatures deal.
New in store are the Moth cocktail cans, ready to drink and perfect for festive gatherings. Choose from Moth Mojito 10% 200ml, or Moth Margarita, Moth Passionfruit Martini and Moth Strawberry Daiquiri, all 14.9% 125ml. They are 2 for £6.00.
Warming, bright and just a little indulgent, Spiced Citrus and Apple is our cocktail of the month. Cointreau brings the orange, apple juice and honey bring comfort, and a measure of dark rum or bourbon adds depth. You will find Cointreau 35cl in store at £12.99.
Please enjoy responsibly. Cocktails should be savoured slowly, ideally with good company and something to eat.
What makes a good early Christmas gift?
A bottle chosen to suit the person is hard to beat. Whisky lovers will enjoy a Speyside single malt, Champagne fans will appreciate a house such as Bollinger or Laurent-Perrier, and miniatures make easy stocking fillers.
How should I serve Champagne?
Chill it for a few hours in the fridge rather than the freezer, open it slowly and serve it in a tulip glass or flute so the bubbles and aromas last.
Can I use bourbon in the Spiced Citrus and Apple cocktail?
Yes. The recipe uses 35ml of either dark rum or bourbon, so choose whichever you prefer. Rum gives a rounder, sweeter finish, while bourbon adds oak and vanilla notes.
What are Moth cocktail cans?
Moth is a range of ready-to-drink cocktail cans, new in store, in Mojito, Margarita, Passionfruit Martini and Strawberry Daiquiri flavours.
Ready to start your early Christmas gifting? Find your nearest store with our store locator and browse the latest deals on our offers page. Please drink responsibly, and for advice visit Drinkaware.
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